Kerensa is a lawyer with a background in corporate and international public law. Her work has also focused on public and constitutional law, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She has previously held roles as Chief Executive and General Counsel of Wakatū Incorporation, and prior to that as a legal academic at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law, specialising in Māori legal development. Kerensa is the Chair of Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga, Centre of Research Excellence, Chair of Ngāti Tama ki te Waipounamu Charitable Trust, as well as holding other board and advisory roles.