Māori Emerging Leaders

This 10-month programme grounded in te ao Māori supports early in career Māori with the skills and confidence to step into leadership and governance roles of the future.

It is delivered by Tukaha Global Consulting Ltd and grounded in whakaaro Māori and te reo me ōna tikanga to ensure the mauri of the kaupapa and its participants are protected and enhanced.  

The programme includes:

  • four 3-day wānanga hosted by different iwi (planned for March, June, September and November 2023)
  • one on one mentoring with a senior leader in the Public Service.
  • personal reflective practice
  • regular check-ins with individuals and small groups
  • delivery of a service project.


Participants will increasingly step up to lead different parts of the programme as they explore “mai i te kore, ki te pō, ki te whaiao, ki te ao mārama – from nothing to the night, from the night to the world of life and light”.

This creation narrative frames the 4 wānanga. It serves as a development process for participants as they grow their understanding of the context within which they work and the significant role they can play as Māori in the future of our country.   

Participants will have the opportunity deepen their understanding of being Māori in the Public Service through experiences and reflections of former and senior Māori public servants.  Through this engagement, participants will also be exposed to a range of tools and techniques used to navigate and manage the complexities of the dual role.  

You can read more detailed programme information below. 

Māori Emerging Leaders - Information [PDF, 116 KB] 

Cost

The 10-month programme costs $5200 (excl GST) per participant.  It is expected that participation costs, travel and any other associated costs will be covered by agencies. Participants should be fully supported to attend mentoring sessions and quarterly wānanga.

For participants, the programme will:

  • build their confidence and skills to lead and to serve in their communities and the Public Service
  • equip them to navigate their development and career in the Public Service
  • provide access to ongoing support through a network of Māori across the public sector.


Senior Public Service mentors will gain insights and an understanding of the challenges, work and opportunities for early in career Māori public servants, and how they can better support Māori aspirations in their organisations.

The next Māori Emerging Leaders programme starts in February 2023 and will be made up of about 30 emerging Māori leaders. Expressions of interest (EoI) for participants and senior leaders who can mentor our emerging leaders closed 9 December 2022. 

Participants

Expressions of interest closed 9 December and required manager approval.

We’re looking for participants that:

  • identify as Māori and work in a Public Service department, departmental agency or agency part of the Public Service Leadership Team (ACC, Kāinga Ora, NZTE, NZ Police, New Zealand Defence Force and Waka Kotahi - NZTA)
  • are early in career (have 2-5 years’ experience in the Public Service)
  • aged 23-30 years old
  • want to develop their leadership skills
  • aspire to lead and/or serve within the Public Service and their communities.


We encourage nominations for those who whakapapa Māori and understand emerging Māori leaders may be at various stages in their te ao Māori and te reo journey. You will be able to engage fully regardless of reo and te ao Māori proficiency.

Participants will need support and time to fully participant in all 4 wānanga. We are planning to hold these in March, June, September and November 2023 and in some instances will be across the weekend. Additional travel time may also be required for those who live outside the main centres. 

If you have any questions around eligibility email ldcprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz

Mentors

We’re looking for mentors that:

  • are senior leaders within the Public Service (tier 1-2) or senior Māori leaders
  • are excited to transfer skills, knowledge and expertise, and gain fresh perspectives
  • can commit to a minimum of 5 mentoring sessions over the course of the programme as well as an initial briefing session.


If you are interested email the following details through to ldcprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz by 9 December.

  • Full name
  • Role and agency
  • Base location and/or regions you visit regularly where mentoring can take place
  • Confirmation you can commit to 5 mentoring sessions and an initial briefing session.
  • Whether you can support one or two participants.


A selection panel will confirm the final cohort by 20 December.

Email ldcprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz with any questions or queries.