o Ko wai koe? (Who are you?) Nō Whangapē tōku pāpā, he uri nō Te Rawawa, nō Te Aupouri, nō Ngāpuhi anō hoki. Nō Pukekohe tōku māmā erangi nō Whāingaroa kē ia, he uri nō Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāti Whakamarurangi, ā, nō Gujarat Indian tōna pāpā. He Tupuranga tēnei i Te Puke ō Taramainuku (Ōtara) o Name (Ingoa) Ko Vijay Waru tōku ingoa (VMS Vijay) o Role & organisation National Manager – Traffic Management | HEB Construction Ltd o If alumni: which season and whānau Season 1 Kōkihi 2021 (HEB) o Where you’re joining from Tāmaki Makaurau, HEB Head Office, Wiri Station Road, Manukau. o Why you’re here Because Muscly Mike said “people like people like them” – and I’m one of them people. o Favourite kai Love a good brisket boil up, but I need to be more of a salad fan these days lol o One intention for your Te Tihi Tapu journey Contribute as best as I can toward helping unlocked/untapped Māori superpowers in others (while being mindful on keeping my battery from depleting “of course”) o What will help you get to your next taumata (level) Probably deciding what the next level is for me.

- Ko wai koe? (Who are you?) - He uri ahau nō Te Whakatōhea, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Rarawa Kaiwhare. Nō Ingārangi, Kotirana ōku tupuna hoki. - Name (Ingoa) - Ko Andre Taikato taku ingoa - Role & organisation - Cultural Capability Senior Specialist taku tūranga mahi ki Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau (AUT) - If alumni: which season and whānau - Tēnei Au 2025 (AUT) - Where you’re joining from - Learning and Development Team (People and Culture) - AUT - Waihorotiu - Why you’re here - To learn from other role models and leaders and contribute and uplift where we can. - Favourite kai - Mum’s Sunday Roast - One intention for your Te Tihi Tapu journey - To deepen my connection to who I am as Māori and lead with clarity, balance and purpose for my whānau and community. - What will help you get to your next taumata (level) - To lead with courage and clarity, while protecting what matters most.

Watch "Valuable Val's" Kōrero from our After The Cap Session Now!

Step 1: Set Up Your Profile - Update your profile photo - Add your details (including where you serve) Step 2: Read & Understand - Read our Kawa (Rules) - Understand that this space is here to grow your leadership in a way that honours your whakapapa, your whānau, and your future ancestors Step 3: Introduce Yourself Post in the “Who’s in the Whare?” / Introduction category and include: - Ko wai koe? (Who are you?) - Name (Ingoa) - Role & organisation - If alumni: which season and whānau - Where you’re joining from - Why you’re here - Favourite kai - One intention for your Te Tihi Tapu journey - What will help you get to your next taumata (level) Step 4: Engage with the Community - Comment on at least one other person’s post to tautoko (support) them Step 5: Start Learning - Go to the Classroom - Complete the “Start Here – Orientation” module

Kia ora e te whānau. Te Tihi Tapu is a deliberate pathway. "Ki te Tihi Tapu o Angitu”, climb toward your highest peak. Your definition of success. But this journey is bigger than personal growth. It exists to move Māori and Pasifika leaders to the decision-making table with mana, credibility, and authenticity intact. We have 7 Pou that guide that journey. This is not “fake it till you make it.” This is foundation first. You don’t change who you are. You upgrade who you are. You’ll revisit: - Tika - Pono - Aroha - Kawa - Strategy - Cultural intelligence Because strong leadership is built deliberately. If you’re the smartest in the room, it’s time to find another room. This is not a space for spectators. It’s a space for contributors. Te Tihi Tapu is a deliberate journey to the decision-making table grounded in Indigenous leadership as a superpower. If you’re here to grow, lets GO!