TravelEd founder, Les Millard, has spent his life as an educator, mentor and advisor who believes that authentic, meaningful experiences is the basis of engagement.

Having begun his working career as a mechanic in his hometown of Tokoroa he quickly realised his strengths and interests lay in working with others. This led him into education. It was during this time he realised that he wanted to share his passion to provide opportunities for others to experience the Māori culture of which he is fiercely proud. Les believes that understanding and knowledge of the culture should be available to all in Aotearoa as well global communities.

Les spent much of his childhood with his grandparents and whānau who lived in a Māori rural community on the outskirts of Whakatāne. Eventually Les settled in Mount Maunganui where he found his tribal roots