Whiua ki te Ao

Be inspired by the journeys of Māori innovators and entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the world through embracing and creating opportunities. Whiua ki te Ao offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how values, heritage, and culture have shaped these leaders’ paths, while highlighting the cultural significance of innovation.

Your opportunity:

• Connect with leaders: Meet Māori entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating meaningful impact globally.
• Access inspiring stories: Learn how their cultural values and heritage have guided their success.
• Expand your horizons: Gain insights that will ignite your passion for learning and innovation.

This event is for aspiring Māori innovators and entrepreneurs from the University of Auckland and the wider community. All welcome – Nau Mai, Haere Mai! Join us and explore the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture.

Learning outcomes:

• Hear career insights from Māori innovators about their journeys and the impact they’re creating in the world.

• Learn how to navigate innovative and entrepreneurial careers while staying true to your cultural values.

Speakers:

Wyndi Tagi

Empowering and fearless, Wyndi Tagi is an entrepreneur who strives to enhance the mana of Maori and Pasifika communities. She is currently the co-founder of WE Mana, where she integrates culture and business to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into meaningful ventures. Wyndi co-hosted the WE Trade & Business Summit, leading a trade mission to Samoa to connect local Pacific businesses with international investors. She is also a renowned business coach, hosting free and accessible workshops to help small businesses find success within a corporate-run society.

Wyndi’s Keynote, “Live Fully, Die Empty,” shares meaningful lessons from her personal journey. She brightens the room with her optimistic energy, unfiltered truths, and realistic strategies to honour our heritage through our ventures. From her battle against breast cancer to the navigation of single motherhood, Wyndi inspires us to overcome the tribulations of life to pursue our dreams.

Tāmati Norman

Tāmati Norman is an inspiring entrepreneur, visionary, and speaker, with over 20 years of experience specialising in Māori and Indigenous business development.

With connections deeply rooted within Papua New Guinea and Aotearoa, his passion for traditional nutrition inspired him to co-found RoMack Industries. He developed export markets for high-quality produce from Papua New Guinea and brokered Māori businesses with Papua New Guinea governments and landowner groups. Since then, his research on the impact of Western diets on indigenous health led him to launch Conscious Foods Ltd, helping to diversify ketogenic diets and provide free healthcare education through workshops and online webinars. His strong resilience and innovative character have inspired millions to learn about the impact of food choices on our quality of life.

Join us to hear Tāmati Norman’s inspiring journey as an Indigenous entrepreneur and discover how anyone can transform their passions into a meaningful venture.

Kelly Parekowhai

Kelly Parekowhai is the Founder and CEO of IwiConnect, a platform dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities by transforming cultural narratives into meaningful data stories. Through IwiConnect, Kelly is revolutionizing how iwi and hapū engage with data, ensuring Māori knowledge and traditions are preserved, protected, and leveraged for self-determined futures.

With a background in urban planning and policy, Kelly has extensive experience integrating Te Ao Māori perspectives into decision-making at both local and national levels. A full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and a certified engagement practitioner, he is passionate about fostering trust, transparency, and collaboration between Indigenous communities and wider society.

About the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides a world of opportunity to participants so that they can stand-out and create value through innovative careers and start-up creation.

CIE is New Zealand’s leading University entrepreneurship centre, winning 12 international awards since 2020.