Rēnata’s family has been telling stories for over 200 years as the original pioneers of tourism in New Zealand. A New Zealander of Māori heritage, his hometown of Rotorua is often described as the cultural capital of the country.

With over 15 years of travel trade experience including leadership roles at a major US wholesaler and working with organizations such as the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and the New Zealand Tourism Board, where he worked on delivering Tuku Iho - A living Legacy exhibition which featured at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. Rēnata holds a Bachelor of laws from the University of Waikato and is admitted to the bar as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.