Joe was born in Masterton but raised across the rural North Island. A son of John (Jack) and Brigette Hanita; mokopuna of Arama and Joyce Hanita and Hawea and Phyllis Kawana-Witinitara. Joe resides in Te Tauihu.

Joe has over 20 years of financial and management experience having worked across public practice, the public sector (health and education) and multiple Māori organisations. Joe is the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Corporate Services at Wakatū Incorporation and holds other governance roles with Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui (Te Tauihu), Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa (Taranaki) and the External Reporting Board. His professional certifications include a Fellow Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CIPFA UK) and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.