Bill Barton works in the Department of Mathematics at The University of Auckland. He teaches undergraduate mathematics (calculus and linear algebra) and also teaches graduate mathematics education (mostly about social issues).

His research areas of interest are ethnomathematics, language and mathematics, mathematical knowledge for teachers, and undergraduate mathematics teaching. His cultural mathematics experience is mostly with the Maori people of New Zealand.

He lives on a small island about 35 minutes in a fast ferry from downtown Auckland. He and his wife (Pip) live in a house by the beach–the main advantage is that their three daughters and families (8 grandchildren all together) come and stay in the summer.