Tawera Nikau

Tawera Nikau made his name in the highly competitive world of rugby league, beginning his career with South Auckland’s Otahuhu club before moving to England, where he played for Castleford Tigers, Sheffield, and Warrington. He later transitioned to Australia, joining the Cronulla Sharks and the newly formed Melbourne Storm, where he became part of the 1999 premiership-winning team and remains celebrated as one of the club's greatest players.

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A veteran of 19 tests for New Zealand, Tawera captained the New Zealand Māori team at the Rugby League World Cup and has been inducted into the New Zealand Legends of League. His ongoing contribution to the sport includes serving over 10 years as a NZRL Board member, currently sitting on the Aotearoa Māori Rugby League Board, being a Kiwis selector, and now the President of NZRL.

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Tawera is equally dedicated to his role as Kaitiaki o Te Taiao. Over the years, he has led several environmental projects and initiatives and was recently appointed Co-Chair of the Endangered Species Foundation.

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For his contributions, Tawera was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Rugby League and the community, and recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust.

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As the Managing Director of Team One International, a training company focused on “Unleashing Human Potential,” Tawera leverages his extensive experience in high-performance sports to provide leadership and organisational culture insights.

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Additionally, Tawera has been a professional speaker across Australasia for over 20 years. He is highly sought after for his inspiring and motivational life story, demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. His down-to-earth communication style resonates with audiences from all walks of life.