Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa

Francene is a senior executive and leader who is driven and passionate about research, science and innovation and its commercial potential to drive economic development. She brings a design thinking philosophy to her work and is a strategic thinker and visionary.

Francene has a wealth of experience in iwi/Māori development and strong relationships in the government, science and innovation sectors with established iwi/Māori networks, across all faces of Māori business.

Francene is a Director of Ngāti Tuwharetoa Fisheries Limited, an Independent Director for the Bioprocessing Resource Alliance, and a Director and owner of Awariki Limited, a niche consultancy company, delivering specialised consulting services around Māori research and development and cultural capability development. She has also been an Associate Director for Ātihau-Whanganui Inc, a Māori-owned farming company in beef, sheep, dairy, wool, honey and woodland.  

Francene’s areas of expertise include fisheries, aquaculture, agribusiness, agritech, food and beverage, science and innovation, and iwi/Māori economic development.