Harete (Whanganui/Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Whitikaupeka/Ngati Tamakōpiri) served six years as a Member of Parliament in the 52nd & 53rd NZ Parliaments. Prior to that, since 1991, she was a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand which included court litigation, mediation, tribunal work and legal advocacy/representation specialising in criminal, family, children & young persons, & mental health law also with broad governance service & experience. Harete has a lifetime involvement and interest in sport. This includes her own participation as a multi-provincial age-group and franchise representative netballer, competition coaching, managing, event organising in netball & as parent support in age group rugby, tennis, athletics and New Zealand junior representative & USA College rowing. Harete is training for her first half marathon to compete in Iron Māori at Ahuriri Napier in November 2024.