Potaua (Ngāti Whakue, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhoe, Te Whānau-Apanui) is a thought leader, digital tech entrepreneur and a storyteller.
In 2014 he founded Digital Natives Academy (DNA) a non-profit helping to illuminate digital pathways into the creative and digital tech industries. DNA offers free programmes focused on wellbeing, animation, coding, game dev and esports.
In 2017 he went back to school to try his hand at the creative industry and spent 3 years at Animation college trying learning to become an animator. During that time he went on to found Digital Basecamp, Rotorua’s largest co-working space for digital tech creatives. He also founded 4 Company B, a group of Rotorua-based animators, content creators, platform builders and IT leaders.
Potaua founded Nativez Esports, along with Karaz and Ene Mikaere, to help create professional pathways to esports in the regions. They have hosted a number of NZ firsts, including $25k GGLeap Fortnight Tournament, $10,000 League of Legends Tournament and a $1000 Woman’s League of Legends Competition.
Potaua is an elected member of Te Tatau, which sits on the Rotorua Lakes Council, is a Marae Trustee at Ngāti Te Takinga Mourea, Rotoiti and sat on the Ministerial Advisory Board for Digital Inclusion and Digital Economy.
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Related Links:
Ngā Pakanga o Matariki – Wāhinga from Potaua Biasiny-Tule on Vimeo.
