Lil’s career has spanned more than 25 years across the public service and wider state sector. Authentic leadership, vision and strategy, problem solving and driving results have been key features of her career. After leaving the public service in 2024, Lil is currently a Principal Consultant at Te Amokura. A Māori firm of professionals who work with businesses, the government, and communities, to find simple, innovative, and sustainable solutions to complex issues.

Prior to joining Te Amokura, Lil was the inaugural Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive) of the Office for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti (Te Arawhiti) for six years, the agency that reported to the Minister for Māori Crown Relations, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, and the Minister for the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act. Lil was the public sector lead on Māori-Crown relations.

Lil’s leadership has been critical across the public sector system in supporting the journey of the Māori Crown partnership and helping the Crown to build on the sense of renewal in Māori Crown relations, established through the Treaty settlement process.

Lil is an ANZSOG Teaching and Leadership Fellow and has worked for ANZSOG across both State and Federal government in Australia, where her children and mokopuna (grandchildren) live.