Watene descends from Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa but was raised in the heart of Te Mahunua – The McKenzie country. He is currently based in Ōtautahi where he works for Te Tauraki the Ngai Tahu mandate vehicle for hauora.

Watene has spent over ten years in the recreation and hauroa sectors through regional sports trusts, local government, National Sports bodies and Kaupapa Māori Organisations. Alongside this Watene, he also sits as chair of Tane Whai Ora - Canterbury Mens Centre and is on the board for New Zealand Māori Golf.

He is excited by the journey Recreation Aotearoa is on to bring Te Whai Oranga to life, and looks forward contributing to a sector that gives so much to its local communities.