Ganesh is a first-generation New Zealander. He acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa. Ganesh’s professional career in economics has spanned more than 40 years. Most recently, he was Chair of the Productivity Commission Te Kōmihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa. Before then, Ganesh led BERL – a NZ-owned consultancy – to be an Accredited Living Wage employer.

In addressing food poverty, he continues to argue for changes to establish an economic system that properly serves the communities of Aotearoa, rather than vice-versa. Outside of economics, Ganesh is an avid runner – and is always in training for his next (half-)marathon.