Dee is an experienced Cultural Engagement Specialist, translator, interpreter, orator, and planning and policy specialist, able to communicate te ao Māori within western paradigms and complex regulatory frameworks. Before joining 4Sight, Dee had been working at Auckland Council since 2011, holding positions as a Senior Policy Advisor and most recently as a Principal Planner for the Chief Planning Office. 

With a Bachelors Degree in Law and a Master of Laws, Dee has been applying his legal skills working in the area of Treaty of Waitangi, the Resource Management Act (RMA), the Local Government Act (LGA), Local Government Auckland Council Act (LGACA), and has over ten years of experience working in the local government sector and a lifetime of experience in mātauranga Māori, working with iwi, the Māori Pharmacy Association of NZ, and Māori tertiary education. 
 
As a past member of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, The Institute of Excellence in the Māori Language, which has produced highly proficient leaders of Māoridom, Dee upholds the principles - ko te reo kia tika, ko te reo kia rere, ko te reo kia Māori – to ensure the language is heard far and wide, is accurate, and upholds the values of te ao Māori, with an additional focus on community language revitalisation. 
 
Dee supports the 4Sight planning and environmental teams in projects involving culturally sensitive matters. His strengths are in building strong relationships, developing win-win solutions, and ensuring that projects are delivered in accordance with tikanga. 
 
Dee offers extensive experience in leading and mentoring people and is recognised for his empowering, calm, and collaborative leadership.