Skip Content
Mike Horlor: Kaiako - Smart Steps to Business

Mike Horlor found his life was at a crossroads.

Sitting in a classroom pondering what difference he could make in the world, he thought “Wouldn’t it be great to do something that I love doing?”

Fast forward 20 years having left behind a career in finance, operations, and logistics, Mike is now a kaiako (tutor) for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and has helped many tauira (students) create successful businesses.

For Mike, education is about helping people reach their goals in life, which involves building a range of skills and capabilities.

“It’s not just about the technical skills taught, but about developing resilience and critical thinking.”

It’s always a good time to further your education. The values-driven culture of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa makes it the perfect, supportive environment for people wanting to make a change in their lives.

Mike teaches the Level 3 Smart Steps to Business programme in Wellington City. This is a 20-week, fee-free programme for people who would like to become self-employed but don’t quite know where to start. Tauira don’t need any special qualifications to enrol – they just need to bring with them a drive to succeed.

Find out more about our business programmes

 Back to news & events

Published On: 9 June 2021

Article By: James Ihaka



Other Articles

  • 05 September 2025

    Cooking up confidence in te reo Māori

    Āku Hapa! is a reo Māori cooking show created by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa tauira, blending kai, kōrero, and comedy. Streaming on Māori+, this series celebrates learning te reo through laughter, mistakes, and whānau connection - one delicious dish at a time.

  • 29 August 2025

    New baby brings new purpose

    Ropata Haddon’s journey through te reo Māori study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was reignited by the birth of his child. Discover how fatherhood, kapa haka, and whānau support are helping him embed te reo and tikanga Māori into everyday life for future generations.

  • 20 August 2025

    Gain cultural confidence in the corporate world through Piharoa workshops

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Piharoa workshops empower corporate leaders with cultural confidence through mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Discover how this executive development programme fosters authentic engagement with Māori communities and transforms workplace culture.

  • 20 August 2025

    He aha tēnei mea te Tāne Māori? Tu's Rangahau journey

    Tutakangahau (Tu) Williams, recipient of the Dr Morehu McDonald Residency, shares his Rangahau journey exploring Māori masculinity and identity. Learn how his passion for reading, writing, and kaupapa Māori research is shaping his path toward a PhD and future as a kairangahau.