Rob is of Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine descent. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ngati Hine Health Trust - a large-scale, Maori-owned provider of Health & Disability Support services, Community and Specialist Nursing services, Dental services, Social and Educational services and Restorative Justice & Youth programmes. 

Rob sits on the National Health Board and is an appointed member of both the Auckland and Waitemata District Health Boards. In 2009 Rob was appointed to the Government’s Whanau Ora Taskforce to advise on improving Government-funded services to Maori and in 2010 was appointed Chairman of the Whanau Ora Governance Group, which is responsible for implementing the Whanau Ora policy.

Rob also serves as a Director of several health research organisations, including the James Henare Maori Research Centre.