[2] Born Leanne, Tikao changed her first name by deed poll in the 1990s as part of reclaiming her identity as a Kāi Tahu women.

[4][3] She was tutored in taonga pūoro by Richard Nunns and Brian Flintoff, musicians who led the revival of these traditional instruments.

[14] In 2015, in collaboration with Philip Brownlee, Tikao developed the first concerto for taonga pūoro, called Ko Te Tātai Whetu.

[17][18] In 2019 Tikao toured New Zealand performing the dance show Onepū with Potiki Bryant's company Atamira Dance Company; Tikao composed the soundtrack to the show, together with Potiki Bryant's husband Paddy Free, and performed the role of Hinearoaropari (a deity).

[19] In 2019 Tikao collaborated with Karl Steven on the soundtrack for a documentary called Fools and Dreamers about the Hinewai Reserve.

[4] In 2021 Tikao and fellow taonga pūoro artist Al Fraser released an album Nau Mai e Kā Hua.

[5] Tikao is a member of the Tararua musical quartet together with Ruby Solly, Al Fraser and Phil Boniface.

[22][23] She is also part of the Maianginui taonga pūoro ensemble of women, together with Solly, Te Kahureremoa Taumata and Khali-Meari Materoa.