Aakarsh Pureti, Mauri Tui Tuia Director, is a trained dentist, having completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in his birth country, India. After volunteering his services as a dentist for an NGO in the Himalayas, and establishing a dental practice as a practice manager, he moved to New Zealand for postgraduate study in business management. He has worked within adult services for IHC in Auckland, and managed respite services for children at CCS Disability Action Whangārei. He is now an Advisor for Māori - Partnerships and Community within Oranga Tamariki's Northland branch. Aakarsh is focused on transformational leadership, growth and improvement of services for people in the community, and integrity and honesty in all his work.