Lorraine is of Ngāpuhi descent and her whakapapa includes Ngāti Hao, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kuta and Ngāti Manu hapū.  She was born in Auckland and spent her first ten years in Hikurangi and Kamo, then moved to Dunedin where she completed her secondary schooling education.

Lorraine has worked as an advocate for Māori on multiple kaupapa involving justice, health, social services, organisational policy development and the Treaty sector.

Lorraine considers it a privilege to be National Iwi Chairs, Pou Tangata Lead Advisor. This largely involves developing relationships with the Crown and redefining what working in partnership with Iwi/Māori means with a specific lens of Te Tiriti o Waitangi ensuring obligations and responsibilities by the Crown and Iwi/Maori are given prominence.

Lorraine holds a master’s degree in management and excels in building strong teams who share her commitment and passion. She now lives with her whanau in Waihou Valley, Tai Tokerau (Northland).