Shay Wright

Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Te Whare Hukahuka.

Shay is a social entrepreneur, and a co-founder of Te Whare Hukahuka, TeachFirst NZ, and recently OurOra.  He has trained thousands of business leaders and provided thought leadership and strategic advice to hundreds of organisations including Government agencies, Māori organisations, school leaders and industry leaders. 

Having honed his understanding of innovation and entrepreneurialism, and deepened his understanding of ancestral wisdom, spirituality, and inner change, Shay helps shift consciousness and organisations to be a force for good to solve challenges in our communities and in the world. 

Shay is of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi and Taranaki descent, and grew up in the rural Far North on his ancestral lands.  He received The Impact Award for Enterprise in 2019, the 2022 Cultural Leader Award at the Young Enterprise Alumni Awards, and has been a former finalist and judge for Young New Zealander of the Year.  

He has learned from a range of global leaders through being part of the Obama Foundation, the Forbes Asia ‘30 Under 30’ list of Social Entrepreneurs, and the Edmund Hilary Fellowship.