Darren Folau

Darren Folau

Leadership Empowerment Coach

Darren brings more than 35 years of frontline and leadership experience across policing, public service, health and community development. A Pacific leader, he served with the New Zealand Police in senior roles within the elite Criminal Investigation Branch, leading investigations into organised crime, national security and child protection under some of the highest levels of pressure.

He is recognised with the Queen’s Service Medal for his service, and is known for calm under fire, professional integrity and the ability to lead teams through complex and high stakes environments. Darren has also held senior leadership roles with Health NZ and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, advancing equity and wellbeing for Pacific communities, alongside governance and advisory work across child protection, neuroscience and Pacific leadership.

At HALO, Darren helps partners build the same steadiness and clarity he relied on throughout his career. He equips leaders to make disciplined decisions when the pressure is real, to manage complexity without losing focus, and to draw strength from diversity and community. His approach ensures every partner feels supported, understood and set up to perform when it matters most.

Extremely humble despite his experience, Darren brings deep knowledge, cultural insight and a commitment to results. He helps leaders stay composed, teams stay connected and organisations deliver outcomes they can trust.