Puāwai is of Ngapuhi and Te Roroa whakapapa and is an experienced planner having worked across a number of senior and lead roles in the public and private sectors. She has lead complex projects spanning urban growth, Māori housing and papakāinga, freshwater policy, resource consenting, climate adaptation, and the integration of land use, transport and environmental outcomes.
Her previous roles include working on resource management reform at the Ministry for the Environment, policy planning at Auckland Council, representing mana whenua groups and others through hearings, and drafting section 32 reports. Puāwai is also an accredited Independent Hearings Commissioner and is a Full Member of NZPI.