Shaun is of Te Arawa (Ngāti Whakahemo) and Ngāti Awa (Ngāti Pukeko) descent.

He is the Director of Eco Research Associates Ltd and a principal investigator for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.

In addition, Shaun is the Māori Business Development Consultant for the Cawthron Institute and a contractor to other organisations, including Tonkin & Taylor Ltd, MBIE, and Scion.