Pātai mai! Ask Me Anything Series

A webinar series designed for our pakihi, providing them with a platform to ask the questions that matter most

Guest Speaker – Rachel Taulelei (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rārua)

Rachel Taulelei is an award-winning business leader and a dedicated advocate for Māori enterprise and sustainability. A graduate of Victoria University with a Bachelor of Law, she began her journey with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, where she served as New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, championing Aotearoa’s premium food and beverage industry on the global stage.

Rachel’s contributions have earned her widespread recognition. She was honoured with the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award in 2012 and appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015 for her service to the food and hospitality sectors. Her accolades also include the Prime Minister’s Business Scholarship, the Māori Woman Business Leader Award (2018), and the KEA World Class New Zealand Award (2019).

In 2006, Rachel founded Yellow Brick Road, a sustainable seafood company pioneering kaitiakitanga in the industry. She later became CEO of Kono, a Māori-owned food and beverage company and one of New Zealand’s top 100 food and beverage exporters, where she championed a values-based approach centred on cultural identity and environmental stewardship.

Currently, Rachel is the co-founder of Oho, a creative design and brand strategy firm that seamlessly blends indigeneity with innovation, crafting narratives that honour Māori values and perspectives. Oho’s philosophy centres on value-driven business models that prioritize purpose, sustainability, and cultural authenticity.

Rachel’s leadership extends across various governance roles. She chairs Moana New Zealand, Sky Stadium, and Fonterra’s Sustainability Advisory Panel and serves as a Director for The Warehouse Group, ANZCO Foods, and Sealord. Additionally, she chairs the New Zealand Rugby Appointments and Remuneration Panel and co-owns the professional women’s basketball team, the Tokomanawa Queens.

Nau mai whānau, take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with Rachel and gain valuable knowledge from her remarkable journey in purpose-driven business and Māori enterprise