He was a worker at Affco Meatworks and became a trade union organiser.

[1] Hereora was first elected to Parliament in the 2002 election, standing against National's Judith Collins in Clevedon but nevertheless entering Parliament as a list MP.

[1] Hereroa served until 2008 as Chair of the Māori Affairs Select Committee.

After leaving Parliament Hereora returned to union organising, working with the Service & Food Workers Union in mediation talks at the Papakura Griffin Foods manufacturing plant.

Labour leader David Cunliffe paid tribute, saying that Hereora "dedicated his life to the fight for low income workers.