From May 2025, The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office (TMRO), led by The Auckland Council, is sponsoring a seven-month community leadership programme, designed and delivered by Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand.

Developed specifically for members of the Tāmaki Makaurau community who have been involved in recovery from the 2023 severe weather events or Local Recovery Planning, the Adapting Together Programme is a leadership programme for community resilience.

This is a bespoke programme that has been designed to provide an enriching opportunity for individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to their community's recovery over the last two years. The programme also aims to build a network of leaders from across impacted communities in Tāmaki Makaurau to provide an additional layer of support and resilience that our communities can lean on when responding to change, now and in the future.

Programme Information

ABOUT THE ADAPTING TOGETHER PROGRAMME

• This is a one-off programme with a maximum of 32 spaces available.

• Delivered through six immersive retreats, held over a seven-month period.

• Retreats are held 3– 6 weeks apart. The first and last retreats will be three days in duration (Thursday – Saturday). All other retreats will be two days in length (Friday – Saturday).

• Participants must attend all six retreats to successfully complete the programme. It is important to commit to this before being accepted a place on the programme.

• Retreats will be held at various locations across Tāmaki Makaurau. Travel will be at a cost to the participant.

• The total days of on-course contact time is 14 days over the seven-month programme.

• There will be facilitated sessions of smaller “Ako” groups and 1-1 coaching is available if required by participants.

• The first programme retreat will commence on 22 May 2025 with the sixth and final retreat from 27 November 2025.

• At the core of the overall design of the programme are the principles of Mana Ōrite, together with the recognition of Māori, Pacifica, migrant and LGBTQI+ communities together with other diverse communities that make up Tāmaki Makaurau.

PROGRAMME DATES 

• Retreat 1: May 22 – 24 (Residential Retreat - accommodation provided)  

• Retreat 2: June 13 – 14 (Day Retreat - accommodation not required)

• Retreat 3: July 25 – 26 (Day Retreat - accommodation not required)

• Retreat 4: September 5 – 6 (Day Retreat - accommodation not required)

• Retreat 5: October 17 – 18 (Day Retreat - accommodation not required)

• Retreat 6: November 27 – 29 (Residential Retreat - accommodation provided)  

RETREAT THEMES

The theme for each retreat, together with the unique needs of the cohort, guides the journey of the programme. Therefore, in the true spirit of "Adapting Together", please note that these themes may change and develop as we journey together.

Retreat 1 - Te Whenua – The Earth - In this retreat we lay the foundation for our journey together as a cohort. This includes the setting of agreements and building of connections. 

Retreat 2 - Te Ngāhere – The Forest - This retreat gives us space and time for reflection. Looking at how we nourish ourselves sustainably and engage with our own wisdom and strength.   

Retreat 3 - Ngā Awa me te moana – The Waters - In this retreat we look at how we adapt and evolve through innovation, together with understanding the flow of relationships and the impact these have. 

Retreat 4 - Ngā Hau - The Wind - This retreat looks at adapting to challenges, transparency and how we find our sails. 

Retreat 5 - Ngā Maunga – The Mountain - This retreat takes on a broader view on what we can see ahead of us, as communities and as a nation within the themes of building resilience, responsibility and accountability.

Retreat 6 - Ngā Whetū - The Stars - This closing retreat looks at the aspirations of our ancestors and how we leave our legacy for the generations to come. It is about joyful celebration and laying the foundations from which to move forward.  

WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR?

For this programme, we are seeking a diverse range of individuals from impacted communities across Tāmaki Makaurau, to come together for seven months of restoration, connection and collaboration.

This programme is for:

• Community leaders and providers

• Individuals who have demonstrated leadership capability, although they may not think of themselves as leaders.

• Those who have supported or continue to support recovery within their community. They may have left their original community but must still live in the region, OR,

• Individuals involved in Local Recovery Planning in Tāmaki Makaurau.

• Individuals who can commit to attending all retreats.

• People who are committed to continuing their leadership growth after the programme via community involvement.

• Individuals who are a resident of Tāmaki Makaurau.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING THE ADAPTING TOGETHER PROGRAMME

• Rejuvenate and reflect: Take dedicated time to restore and reconnect.

• Tap into your leadership potential: Deepen your understanding of your unique leadership strengths and capabilities.

• Build essential leadership skills: For leading in Aotearoa's multi-cultural context.

• Join a thriving community: Connect with like-minded leaders who are making a real impact in their communities.

• Learn from diverse perspectives: Gain valuable insights from your cohort and from communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.

• Shape your vision for the future: Create a sustainable, forward-thinking vision for yourself and your community.

• Join a vibrant alumni network: Become part of the Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand alumni network, with over 750 leaders nationwide.

• Navigate big conversations: Develop the skills to engage in crucial discussions within your community and beyond.

How to Apply

• Step 1: Expressions of Interest/Nomination

• Step 2: Application form

• Step 3: Online 'Get to know you’ kōrero with Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand

Key Application Dates:

• Expressions of Interest & Nominations Close - Friday 28 March

• Applications Close - Friday 24 April

Expression of Interest/Nomination:

• Participants can apply themselves or be nominated by a community organisation or member, or by the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office.

• A free online one hour Q&A session will be available for potential nominees. These will be held on Wednesday 26th Feb from 1.30-2:30pm and on Wednesday 5th March from 6-7pm.

Application form:

• Once Expressions of Interest and Nominations have been received, nominees will be invited to apply via an online application form developed by Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand.

Online 'Get to know you’ kōrero with Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand:

• Once application forms are received, the team at Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand will be in touch to arrange a time to meet with applicants.

Ready to Apply?

To find out more about the programme, join us for a free online Q&A on Wednesday 26th Feb from 1.30-2:30pm or on Wednesday 5th March from 6-7pm. You can register for these here.

To submit an expression of interest or to nominate someone, complete the nomination form here.

or email our Recruitment Manager Annette - annette.bartlett@leadershipnz.co.nz

About Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand

For over 20 years, Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aotearoa Leadership New Zealand’s (LNZ) purpose has been to grow a connected community of diverse, collaborative, purposeful leaders effecting positive change across Aotearoa.

LNZ’s signature programme, the New Zealand Leadership Programme (NZLP), is a unique, immersive leadership programme, distinctively grounded in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. LNZ’s Alumni network includes over 750 leaders from across the motu.

LNZ brings together diverse leaders from every sector and corner of Aotearoa, challenged with making a difference for the better in the communities in which they live, work and play. LNZ programmes aim to build a movement of alumni with multicultural capabilities, a sharpened sense of purpose, and the tools, practices, and competencies to lead in an uncertain world.

As recognised experts in building exceptional leadership offerings distinctively grounded in the Aotearoa New Zealand context, LNZ have been contracted to deliver The Adapting Together Programme, independent of the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office.

WHAT PAST LEADERSHIP NEW ZEALAND PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID…