Israel co-founded Kāinga Maha in 2020, and today leads its governance and strategic direction.
Before housing, Israel spent around a decade in corporate finance, public sector advisory, and technology sector leadership, including as a chief financial officer and company director. Across more than two decades in corporate and governance leadership altogether, his focus has consistently been financial strategy, business planning, and steering organisations through growth and change; beyond Kāinga Maha, he sits on the boards of several community and arts trusts, and writes regularly on housing policy, affordability, and what it would take at a system level for New Zealand to produce significantly more of the housing it needs.
He is a Certified Practicing Accountant and a member of the Institute of Directors, and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Leadership, Theology, and Society, with his capstone on housing.
Outside of work, Israel is husband to Jessica and father to Zion, Alethia, and India.
