Mr Rolleston said they attended lectures which taught how to foster innovation and harness collective intelligence.
"We talked about global business, in particular China, and visited world innovative companies such as Google and Paypal," he said.
"The main thrust of it all was to challenge ourselves to think outside the square. We also learnt about that to be successful in innovation, be prepared to fail but continue moving forward."
Mr Rolleston said the group were able to expose Stanford University and world business leaders to the Maori culture.
One person who was impressed was Tim Brown, chief executive of international design firm and innovation consultancy Ideo, who raved on networking site LinkedIn about how his session with the group ended with a waiata.
"This was not your average team-building session of corporate karaoke," Mr Brown said.
"The visitors were heads of companies and government leaders from across New Zealand. They weren't singing a corporate jingle or national anthem, but sharing a traditional parting gesture after meeting new people.
"The group were deeply in touch with why they were in business and how their culture brought meaning to their work. It made me realise that in most other parts of the world, we consciously try to separate our cultural experiences from our work lives - sidelining them to a trip to the theatre, or to the museum.
"While I did ultimately end up saying goodbye to my new Maori friends with standard-issue pleasantries and firm handshakes, I left the experience feeling a deeper connection to them as people and a strong desire to remain in touch," Mr Brown said.
The group took part in a group haka in San Francisco to welcome Team New Zealand to Waka Maori - the canoe shaped venue that was based in Auckland during the Rugby World Cup two years ago.
"It was a very powerful, and a great opportunity to to put Maori on the world stage," Mr Rolleston said.
"Maori business leaders were mixing with world and sporting leaders so it was a good showcase of all things New Zealand.
Mr Rolleston said he took home important lessons that were beneficial for himself and the iwi.
"On a personal level it has given me more confidence with the number of initiatives that I'm involved in. It has also given me a renewed passion for education not only for myself but for our people to strive to attend such a world leading university," Mr Rolleston said.
"Ngati Whakaue to me is certainly a leader in education and has huge asset opportunities and resources. I think innovation is the pathway forward and the avenue to create more opportunities.
Mr Rolleston is the son of the late Mitai Rolleston who was passionate about education and among his many roles was as the former chairman of the Ngati Whakaue Taumata Trust.
Mr Rolleston said it was heartening that before he passed, his father knew he had been selected to attend the Stanford boot camp.
"Stanford University represented the culmination of his passion and drive so it was good to be able to fulfil one of his aspirations."
