Neuroscientist working as a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research. My research focuses on the involvement of different brain cells and build-up of disease-causing proteins in conditions including Huntington’s Disease, X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism and Alzheimer’s Disease through studying novel molecular changes in post-mortem brain tissue generously bequeathed to science.
I also co-founded the Huntington’s Disease Youth Organisation of New Zealand, a charity dedicated to educate, advocate and support youth impacted by Huntington’s disease in New Zealand.
In my spare time, I focus on promoting positive brain health awareness among the young and old through school and community visits. I am a strong advocate for disseminating scientific information to the public, as evidenced by public engagements including Television NZ, BBC Radio, SBS Radio Australia, Radio New Zealand, The NZ Herald, Newsroom and Newshub.

2021: Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award - Brain research and science communication – awarded by Rotary New Zealand
2019: Awarded KiwiBank Local Hero Award Medal, nominee of Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
2018: Top 5 Women in Health and Science for NEXT Woman of the Year
2016: Awarded Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the Year, Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame awards, awarded by Indian High Commissioner to NZ
2015 and 2016: Finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year

Inspirational Teachers: While many teachers influenced me positively, I will always remember Mr Dixon and Mr Nightingale from the music department who really encouraged my creativity (music was my outlet at school). I will always remember Miss West my English teacher who helped me work out where I should go after high school (yes my English teacher helped me carve my future in science). And I will always remember Mr Duffin who agreed to teach me History during lunch time because I couldn’t fit it into my timetable.

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Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (NZ Physio Board Reg)

Current PhD candidate at AUT University

Managing Director/Principal Physiotherapist/Occupational Health Physio of Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy - an Auckland wide rehabilitation company with 50 staff

Legendary Teacher: Mr Filo, my rugby coach taught me "Champions sometimes lose but are never vanquished"

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Flag Bearer for New Zealand at the Youth Trans-Tasman Series 2023

Selected in the Touch Blacks Open Women’s Team 2023 

Players Player Touch Blacks Open Women’s Team 2023

Selected in the New Zealand U20 Mixed Touch Team 

MVP Female New Zealand U20 Mixed Touch Team

Legendary teacher - Liam Mulrooney - Y9 Sports Academy teacher & Mentor. 
I remember being a scared Year 9 student, thinking, "What have I got myself into?" while walking into my first Sports Academy class in the gym. I saw cones set up with the speaker out, ready for a beep test. Now, as I look back at it, I realise it was all worth it. Not only did Mr Mulrooney believe in me, but he made what seemed impossible for me to achieve possible. He is the type of person who can bring out the best in each of his students because he genuinely cares about them. When you reflect on your journey through college and can remember someone who has made an impact on your life and sporting career outside of school, it really does make you realize how important a role that person played. I am truly grateful that I got to be a part of his class and one of his many students throughout my years at Waitākere College.

CEO - ANZ Bank 
35 + Year career in Banking in New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA, Egypt, Hong Kong and Australia.  

3 years as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer since 2016 at ANZ Bank. 

A member of the ANZ NZ Bank Board since 2009 and the ANZ Group Board in Australia since 2017.

I would not have had these opportunities and experiences without Waitākere College and in particular the influence if my English teacher Mrs Clare Hallas who encouraged me and gave me the confidence to study Commerce when I was searching for direction. I am forever grateful that she took the time to care and guide me.

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Senior Manager - Financial Crime Forensics

I lead the Financial Crime Assurance practice for Ernst & Young across Oceania, working with clients globally in regions including Australia, Singapore, Europe, and the United States. I help organisations strengthen their financial crime compliance frameworks, covering critical areas like anti-money laundering and terrorism financing, international sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, and anti-modern slavery.

Legendary Teacher: Mr. Simpson believed in me even when I doubted myself. He always challenged me to push beyond my limits and not to be held back by fear or others' opinions. His support and encouragement gave me the confidence to grow, and his influence still inspires me.

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Pacific Engagement Coordinator (Growing Up in NZ longitudinal study)

Owner of Samogan Treasures

Author - Su’e lanu o le nuanua (Samoan) Kumi mai ‘u lanu ‘oe ‘umata (Tongan)
‘Find the colours of the rainbow’

A memorable Teacher was Mrs Clarke - very stern but a genuine nature about her that helped me grow confidence in my learning abilities, especially in ITC.

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Regional Commissioner for North and West Auckland for the Ministry of Social Development. 

Dan's other career highlights include a diplomatic posting within the NZ Embassy in Bangkok, where he covered engagement with 13 South East Asian countries as well as a Narcotic Detector Dog Handler with NZ Customs and a period in the Royal New Zealand Airforce upon leaving Waitākere College.

Legendary Teachers: Mr O’Gorman and Mr Gayley both had an influence on me as my home room teachers. They helped me decide on my learning pathway through school to achieve some of the goals I had at the time.

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Radio DJ and Producer for The Rock FM - Lee and team team won ‘best network music team’ 2024 at the Radio Awards for The Rock Drive with Jay and Dunc.

Marriage Celebrant - Won Wedding celebrant of the year in 2023 Wild Hearts wedding vendor awards 

Two time Guiness World Record holder - for the most tattoos of the same cartoon character, Homer Simpson

Lee and his wife Nikita met in year 11 at Waitākere College, they married in 2009, have a beautiful family and have been together over 21 years!

Legendary Teacher:  Mrs Bradley Yr 9 & 10 English, pulled me aside one afternoon and had a really good chat with me about putting my academic work before my need to be popular and to fit in. I was running with a crowd that wasn’t doing me any favours at school. I remember her saying that I had so much potential and that if I would just focus and put that potential into producing quality work in the classroom that I would go far in life. It was different from the same old “Lee has the potential but doesn’t apply himself” that I had heard so many times before. It was an open and honest conversation between two people. One of whom, cared a great deal about the other and who wanted to see him succeed and not stray down a wayward path. Truth be told, that really affected me (in a positive way). To this day I can still remember being in that classroom in B block having that chat with Penny Bradley. She’s an absolute weapon and she will always occupy a very special piece of my heart.

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Director - Vivid Computers 
Specialising in providing IT services to small and medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations. Matthew started his own IT services company while still a student at Waitākere College  

Member of Henderson Rotary Club Serving as President 2015-2016 & District Governor for Rotary District 9910 (leading the Rotary Clubs in half of Auckland, Northland, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island & Vanuatu)  2022-2023 

Trustee of the Waitākere College Foundation - Sparked by a desire to give back to the school which was instrumental in supporting his early business ambitions.

Thanks to teachers Errol Francis and Ray Clarke who supported my business ambitions through high school and allowed me to supply and service the school's computers

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