Dani Panirau was born in Ōtautahi. She has worked in kaupapa Māori organisations for over eight years. Previously, Dani was a kaiawhina at TRONT in the Mātauraka Team and recently she worked at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki supporting Māori tauira as the Kairuruku Māori, Academic Coordinator. Her mahi helped Lincoln University became number one in tauira retention. She has a Certificate in Business Administration and Level 4 Te Reo Māori Certificate from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Dani actively works towards the growth of whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori katoa. She is heavily involved with her rūnanga, Wairewa Rūnanga. She also enjoys learning te reo alongside her son who attends Kura Kaupapa Māori. Dani would like to support Māori whānau achieve rangatiratanga. She is passionate about whānau building confidence in their identity as Māori, something that she feels we are all responsible and accountable for.
