Tutehounuku (Nuk) Korako is a respected Māori leader, former Member of the New Zealand Parliament, international tourism director, and governance specialist whose career spans politics, iwi leadership, global tourism, philanthropy, and endurance sport.
Grounded in whakapapa to Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe and Ngāi Tahu across all 18 ancestral communities, Nuk brings a deeply values-led worldview shaped by Te Ao Māori and decades of lived leadership experience in Aotearoa and abroad. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to service, cultural integrity, and intergenerational responsibility.
From 2014 to 2019, Nuk served as a Member of Parliament, contributing to national conversations on leadership, representation, and public service. Alongside his parliamentary career, he has held senior governance roles including three terms as a Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu representative, three terms as a Director of Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation, Independent Director at Consilium, and Māori Advisor to the Rātā Foundation. He currently serves as Patron of Cholmondeley Children’s Centre, reflecting his longstanding philanthropic commitment to whānau and community wellbeing.
Internationally, Nuk is recognised for his leadership in the global tourism sector, with senior roles at Contiki and Insight Vacations, guiding cultural journeys across Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and the wider world. His work as a global storyteller and cultural ambassador is further reflected in his role as Founder of Te Putake: A Māori Garden in France, a living expression of Māori worldview, design thinking, and cultural connection beyond Aotearoa.
An accomplished endurance athlete, Nuk’s personal journeys mirror his leadership philosophy. His achievements include completing the Coast to Coast twice, running Cape Reinga to Bluff, and cycling the 3,687km ANZCARE Bike Ride across the Nullarbor, undertaken in service of child cancer causes. These experiences inform his perspectives on resilience, courage, and purpose under pressure.
Known for his warm, authentic and story-rich style, Nuk weaves humour, humanity, and cultural insight into reflections on leadership, legacy, innovation, and service. His leadership is grounded not only in governance and global experience, but in whakapapa, whānau, and a deep respect for those who have gone before and those yet to come.
Talking Points
Leadership Through Adversity & Change
Lessons from Parliament, iwi governance, big decisions, and endurance sport.
Leadership Through Adversity & Change
Te Ao Māori (Maori Worldview & our Aboriginal Brothers in Modern Leadership)
Cultural intelligence, whakapapa (ancestral-based decision-making, and partnership building.
Te Ao Māori (Maori Worldview & our Aboriginal Brothers in Modern Leadership)
Māori Innovation & the Future of Housing
How Māori worldview, design thinking, and innovation underpin the work of Te Putake.
Māori Innovation & the Future of Housing
Purpose, Courage & the ANZCARE Bike Ride Across Australia
The 3,687km Perth–Melbourne journey for child cancer — a story of heart, hope, and service.
Purpose, Courage & the ANZCARE Bike Ride Across Australia
Whānau, Legacy & Intergenerational Vision
Why whakapapa shapes strong leaders, grounded communities, and better decision-making.
Whānau, Legacy & Intergenerational Vision
Global Citizenship & Māori Leadership Abroad
Lessons from decades leading tours across Europe, Russia, Scandinavia & beyond.
Global Citizenship & Māori Leadership Abroad
Honouring Service: The Māori Battalion Journeys
Powerful reflections from returning veterans and their whānau to North Africa & Europe.
Honouring Service: The Māori Battalion Journeys
