James leads ORA with a clear belief: that homes and neighbourhoods should help people and communities thrive. With more than 15 years’ experience across urban regeneration, community housing, and mixed-use development, he has played a leading role in delivering hundreds of homes and guiding complex, community-centred projects from concept to completion.

As ORA’s Founder and CEO, James shapes the organisation’s mission, governance, and capital partnerships — bringing philanthropic, concessional, and impact investors together to unlock permanently affordable, regenerative developments. He works closely with communities, iwi, and local partners to ensure every ORA neighbourhood reflects local aspirations and remains vibrant and affordable for generations.