Born in Ngataki, the Far North of New Zealand from Ngati Kuri iwi (tribe). He has genealogical links to many Northland iwi. The majority of his career was in education from primary through to tertiary. He has held leadership roles in Rugby and Gymnastics. In 1987 he embarked on an overseas study in USA after receiving a Sir Winston Churchill Fellowship. 

In 2018 – 2019 Jerry was Governor for Rotary District 9910 where he integrated a number of Maori perspectives in his Governor year. Rotary Leadership have been proactive in continuing to maintain an authentic presence of Maori perspectives at a number of levels. One of Rotary’s 7 key focus areas is the Environment and Rotary has been involved in and supporting a number of Environmental projects in Aotearoa. 

Education and the Environment is close to Jerry’s heart. He is proud to be an active member of Ngati Kuri Environmental leadership Group, Te Taiatea (The Gathering of the Oceans).  Ngati Kuri continue to work in partnership with The Auckland Museum, NIWA, Manaaki Whenua (Landcare) and some tertiary organisations and indigenous scientists. Ngati Kuri is open sharing Maori knowledge and science with its many like-minded partners. Ngati Kuri have appreciated the collaborative Environmental work with a number of amazing iwi. 

He says that the Mana o Ngati Kuri and the Mana o Rangitahua (the Kermadecs) are intrinsically inter-linked in our whakapapa and we are looking at accelerating protocols of protection for this pristine taonga for Maori, for Aotearoa and for the World.

He is a regular contributor on Te Hiku Media.

He is also an advocate for Peace in the World and believes that when the world is at peace, the environment can breathe again and bring natural harmony to the world.