The Story Exchange - Dan Te Whenua Walker
On Friday 13 March we were lucky enough to welcome Dan Te Whenua Walker, Senior Partner Development Manager, Microsoft NZ to speak to our Year 11 and 12 students at assembly. Dan is a technology leader, board director, and advocate for Indigenous innovation.
Of Māori and Pākehā descent, Dan is passionate about weaving mātauranga Māori with emerging technologies to shape a more inclusive digital future. He also serves on several governance boards supporting community wellbeing and leadership development.
Growing up, Dan spoke about the fact that he didn’t follow a traditional pathway into technology. His journey included hardship and moments where the odds were “stacked against me”. He also shared that “reconnecting with my whakapapa and culture became a turning point that helped shape who I am today and the work I do in technology and governance”.
Dan’s presentation was organised via The Story Exchange — Beyond the Bell; a speaker series that brings people from our wider community into the school to share the real stories behind their careers — not just what they do, but how they got there. The turns they didn’t expect. The risks they took. The things that didn’t go to plan. Dan’s presentation was incredibly moving, and really resonated with the boys — who were hooked for the full 30 minutes! Afterwards Dan was stopped multiple times for photos, questions and boys thanking him for sharing his personal story.
The aim of The Story Exchange is to widen the boys perspective — to show that there are many ways forward. We are incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to showcase Dan’s story — a first of many we hope.
A huge thank you to Dan Te Whenua Walker for his time, and The Story Exchange - Beyond the Bell for the introduction.
