Te Manutaki
New Senior System Leader Development

Te Manutaki | New Senior System Leader Development supports leaders who are within the first 12 months of transition to a new role as a senior system leader in the Public Service.

The programme supports leaders at a critical career transition. It aims to help new senior system leaders understand what changes at this level and how to lead across the wider Public Service system.

Senior system leadership is different from leading within one agency. Your role extends beyond agency boundaries. You work with others to steward, strengthen and improve the Public Service system.

Through this programme, leaders explore how to: 

  • lead beyond your agency boundaries 
  • work collaboratively across agencies and sectors
  • navigate complexity and uncertainty
  • contribute to outcomes that no agency can achieve alone
  • strengthen your understanding of Public Service system priorities.


The programme is centred on 4 development priorities: Lead system collaboration, Lead Māori Crown relationships, Lead for high performance and Lead future. You will learn with peers from across the Public Service. The value of the programme comes from the experiences, insights and questions the cohort brings. 

You will learn through: 

  • deep-dive activities 
  • conversations with senior public service leaders 
  • reflection on your own leadership practice 
  • a development conversation with an LDC executive coach. 

Kick off session and Lead System Collaboration, Lead Māori Crown Relationship and Lead for High Performance Workshop, Completion session, Development conversation.

What the Programme offers 

  • A cohort experience where you learn with other senior leaders across the Public Service. 
  • A space to explore real system leadership challenges through conversation, reflection and some frameworks. 
  • An opportunity to step back from day-to-day demands and reflect on your role as a senior system leader. 

What it does not offer 

  • A strong focus on individual leadership development.
  • A programme where most learning comes from presentations, models and frameworks.
  • A programmme focused on the context or priorities of a leader’s agency.

Read Paul Kennedy, Manager, Targeted Investments, Injury Prevention at ACC experience on our website.  

Eligibility

Senior system leaders should be:

  • Within their first 12 months of transitioning into a new senior system leadership role, an
  • have a strategic focus working beyond agency borders such as across several agencies, sector and/or community groups. Examples include Head of Dept, General Managers, Directors, Chief Advisors. 

Apply

To apply or nominate a leader for the next cohort, complete the Expression of Interest form or email ldcprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz 

Cost

LDC members rate: $2000 + GST
Non-member rate: $3500 + GST

The programme includes 3 full day facilitated sessions over 3 months and a 45 minute individual development conversation with an executive coach. 

13 August–24 September 2026, (all face to face, Wellington)

Kick-off session and Lead System Collaboration workshop: 8.30am–5pm, 13 August 
Lead Māori Crown Relationships and Lead for High Performance workshops: 8.30am–5pm, 10 September
Lead Future and Completion session: 8.30am–5pm, 24 September

Complete the Expression of Interest form to join this cohort.  

  • Build networks with peers in the Public Service who share a common purpose.
  • Hear from experienced chief executives and senior system leaders in the Public Service.
  • Engage in full day sessions so you can fully delve into system priorities and apply this immediately to your work.
  • Gain a clearer vision of your development needs as a senior system leader in the public service moving forward.
  • Deepen your understanding of the critical shifts required in this key transition.
  • Strengthened understanding on what it means to be a Senior System Leader in the Public Service