Keri moved to Bluff from Auckland just over five years ago, drawn by her whakapapa connections to Southland through her ties to Ruapuke Island and her ancestors Hinetūhawaiki and John Kelly.

She runs her own consultancy business, Keri Mihi Consulting, drawing on previous roles as a General Manager, Executive Director, School Principal, including a local role as General Manager – Māori Development at SIT/Te Pūkenga, to work alongside chief executives, senior leaders, and boards, providing Māori-led advisory support across leadership, strategy, and governance. Keri holds a Doctorate of Māori Development and Advancement.

Keri's governance experience spans education, health, business, iwi and community organisations nationally and regionally. She currently serves on the InternetNZ Board and the Board of Awarua Whānau Services.

Alongside this, Keri manages her own office collaboration space in Bluff, The Tari, and runs the RUA at Bluff Airbnb units.

She is married to David, mum to four adult children and nanny to eight mokopuna.