Mr Walker, who is in his third year studying commerce at the University of Otago, was recently awarded one of four national accounting scholarships.
The scholarships are awarded annually by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Nga Kaitatau Maori o Aotearoa (National Maori Accountants Network - NKMoA), with the aim of bringing more Maori into accounting.
Mr Walker, who is majoring in both accounting and information science, was thrilled with the recognition.
He shared the CAANZ Nga Raumanako Maori scholarship, worth $5000 over two years, with Joshua Munro from the University of Auckland. He also won an internship with one of NKMoA's accounting collaboration partners.
''It's a prestigious opportunity, not only to gain valuable work experience and to earn some money over the summer break, but also in making connections. I've already met some amazing people.
''I'm really grateful for the chance to be part of the effort to encourage and support Maori to enter the world of business, and chuffed that they recognise my potential, and my efforts in the community and in promoting business. It's a privilege to be part of it,'' he said.
Originally from Wellington, Mr Walker and his wife and two children have settled in Dunedin.
He affiliated with Ko Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahangunu, Ngati Rongomaiwahine, Taranaki nga iwi, No Orongomai hau kaianga, engari, Ko Otepoti toku kainga Inaianei.
He decided to go to university because he wanted to stretch himself more than he had in his previous career, and he was finding it harder to get enjoyment from it. He was also keen to be his own boss.
However, those mechanic skills had also proven invaluable and saved him ''thousands of dollars'' over the years.
Mr Walker had always been interested in business and how business operated and how it could gain efficiencies.
His wife, who was originally from Dunedin, got a teaching job and they decided to move south.
He enjoyed the combination of accounting and information science studies, and liked the idea of pairing them to use technology to find solutions and create efficiencies. He also hoped to gain the chartered accountant qualification.
''I like the autonomy of learning at university; there isn't someone over your shoulder micro-managing your efforts. This allows me to set my own work pace, deliver all requirements on time and to a high standard.
''Otago is a great place ... all you need to do is put yourself forward - you can take part in any number of activities to make the most of the experience,'' he said.
Mr Walker has a strong community focus. He is communications executive on Te Tai Tuara (Maori Commerce Students' Association), a brand ambassador for CAANZ, attending career events to educate students about the benefits of accounting, and also tutors at the Maori Centre and for the accountancy and finance department.
He was on holiday in Australia, having a break between semesters, when he was contacted about his scholarship win. ''I was quite elated and really excited,'' he recalled.
It reaffirmed his decision to embark on tertiary studies to try to forge a career in business.
Probably the biggest benefit was the recognition that there was an avenue for Maori in business.
Mr Walker was looking forward to graduating at the end of next year. He had no firm career plans for the future beyond finishing his degree, but was looking forward to getting into ''something exciting and new''.
He was keen to use his accountancy and technology skills in potential social enterprise options and to contribute to the growth of Maori economic development, looking at everything from social housing models to ideas that disrupt current ways of managing public transport.
Between family, study and his various commitments, Mr Walker said it had been a good lesson in what he could achieve.
