Walter’s tribal affiliations are Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi and Ngatiwai. He is the eldest grandson of Taharanga and Harriet Wells (nee Joseph) and Henry and Hinemoa Cassidy (nee Eruera Wheoki) and the eldest son of Walter and Evelyn Wells. Born in Auckland and raised and educated in Whangarei he graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Information Systems. He has extensive background in Maori Development having worked for Te Tira Ahu Iwi (former Maori Affairs), Maori Trustee, Ministry of Education and Te Puni Kokiri where he is the Regional Director, Taitokerau. He is married to Shelley Scott.
