Daniel joined the team in December 2020. From 2011 Daniel was the Executive Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM), New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, hosted by the University of Auckland. As a director at NPM, Daniel feels hugely privileged to have deep learnings and gained knowledge from working alongside NPM researchers and communities.

Daniel has two degrees, one in Applied Sciences and a Master’s with honours in Health Sciences, and while in executive and research leadership positions often sees himself as a researcher and immerses himself in the research.

Prior to NPM, Daniel co-founded and developed several research entities, including the Centre of Methods and Policy Applications in the Social Sciences (COMPASS), the New Zealand Social Statistics Network (NZSSN), the New Zealand Social Science Data Service and Survey Research Unit. He has over 20 years research and research leadership experience.

The opportunity to lead the Challenge through to the end of its 10-year term in 2024 excites Daniel greatly as he enjoys working in an organisation that is values-based, providing public good and positive outcomes.