Hēmi’s whakapapa is Ngāti Whakaue, Ngaiterangi and Ngati Ranginui. He joined Scion in February 2019 as general manager, Māori forestry futures and is now general manager Te Ao Māori and science services, leading a team of 270 science and research staff.
He joined Scion after five years at Callaghan Innovation where he commenced as the inaugural general manager Māori economy. He was also the interim chief executive for nine months and led the organisation successfully through a key period of change. Hēmi was then general manager of sectors leading a team of 50 to support New Zealand businesses on their innovation journey.
Before his time at Callaghan Innovation, Hēmi spent seven years as the Inaugural chief executive of Te Awanui Huka Pak, a 100% Māori owned kiwifruit company in Mount Maunganui with investment across the entire kiwifruit value chain.
Hēmi is currently Chairman of MacDiarmid Institute and Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust.
Hēmi holds a Business Management Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Māori through Waikato University. He has also undertaken the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme through Lincoln University and completed three leadership programs through Stanford University. Recently, he completed a study program at Oxford University.