In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan speaks with Dan Te Whenua Walker, Māori tech leader and Global Co-Chair of Microsoft’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group.

Dan shares how tikanga Māori isn’t just cultural heritage – it’s a living, practical guide for building workplaces that truly care. From his Master’s in Māori and Indigenous Leadership came Te Rau o te Huia, a whānau AI named after his beloved grandmother.

Through stories of leadership, connection, and embedding manaaki into corporate culture, Dan reminds us: that connection, purpose, and care aren’t extras they’re essential.

As Dan says, “This is tikanga in action.”