Please share a bit about your community, your home, your values, and yourself. 

Ko Te Aue Addison-Valaau ahau. He uri tēnei nō Ngāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa ki te Tau Ihu me Ngāti Tūwharetoa - tēnei te mihi kia koutou ngā karanga maha nō ngā hau e wha! (My name is Te Aue Addison-Valaau and I descend from the tribes of Ngāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa - Greetings to you all from the four winds).

I grew up in a small pākainga (Māori settlement) in the town of Taupō situated right next to New Zealand's largest lake and active volcano, Mount Ruapehu. Having these taonga (natural treasures) on my door step instilled a strong sense of kaitiakitanga (environmental stewardship) to protect our environment from a young age and the importance of indigenous and community-led advocacy. This background shaped my decisions to pursue resource management and public policy at university.

Today, these values still guide my vocational choices, I currently hold the role of Principal Advisor for Plant & Food Research (Australasia's largest food and beverage science and innovation company) and focus on creating opportunities for indigenous businesses to commercialize food opportunities to the globe. I also contribute my time in several governance roles in the non-profit and Māori agribusiness sectors including as the Co-Chair for the YWCA A/NZ, BLAKE Trustee and Associate Trustee Opepe.  

How was your experience navigating higher education? What are your thoughts on Māori and Pasifika representation in higher education?

It was definitely a culture shock to leave my small rural town (population of 40,000) to study at Victoria University in Wellington, the capital of Aotearoa, New Zealand (population of 200,000) on all fronts of the Māori student experience - social, economic and cultural. Without the support of one teacher who encouraged me to apply for scholarship support and an aunt who was also able to hep with tuition fees, attending university would have never been an option for me! I think that this is the first barrier to acknowledge for many Maori and Pasifika students - we may be the first generation to attend higher education in our families, villages or communities! While this brings pride to our families and others, it can also feel like a lonely experience at times carrying the expectations of a village, and also facing barriers our families may have never navigated in the education system. Such as, cultural safety, institutional racism etc. - who else has been expected to represent  the "Māori or Pasifika" perspective in an academic environment as if we are just one homogeneous group?

Nevertheless, the challenges that I faced throughout university also shaped me to be the resilient person I am today. I also met my life-long squad of strong, passionate and inspiring Māori and Pasifika peers who are now changing the face of New Zealand's government, private and community sectors to ensure our voices are represented. My higher education journey also continues as I embark on an Executive Leadership Programme as part of a Masters in Business Administration delivered in partnership Deakin University, Australia this November. 

Any advice to Māori and Pasifika scholars navigating higher education?

Often we are told that we need to "mold ourselves" to fit the status quo of an education institution which can feel like you are expected to leave your culture and values at the door - I disagree with this, and say to be bold and ask the question of your education institution as to how you will be enabled to bring your authentic-self and cultural values with you throughout your tertiary studies? 

You've done a lot of community work in your professional career. Can you share your biggest accomplishments for the community? 

One active intention I do bring into any role where I have influence is to support and mentor at least one other young Māori or Pasifika student in their career aspirations. For my current organisation Plant & Food, I am leading the launch of a new annual Māori and Pasifika internship programme to enable 25 budding young scientists and business students to influence the future of New Zealand's science system! In Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika only make up 2.5% of staff positions in science institutions, this is also comparative to my organisation's staff make up. However, through this initiative we will see a minimum of 125 (rise in 500% Māori and Pasifika staff) of our people move into high value employment over the next 5 years!   

Are there any leadership opportunities that you would like to point out to scholars living in Aotearoa? 

To anyone interested in a career in research, science and innovation related to food, beverage and food production systems,  I'm happy to be contacted through SPIO, including more information about our annual Māori and Pasifika internships.