Talofa lava, tena koe
I’m feeling a mixed range of emotions as we wrap up 2014 and look to a New Year ahead.
2014 Leadership Programme
It has been a very busy last quarter with the final 3 sessions of the 2014 Leadership programme traversing Wellington (Governance in the 21st Century), Waiheke (Creative Leadership and Emergent Thinking) and the final retreat in the Waitakeres (Drawing the Threads & Visions for New Zealand). Jane Carruthers, Tom Dibley and Kaye-Maree Dunn’s reflections of these sessions provide insights into their experiences and what they “uncovered” about their leadership.
On 22 November we celebrated the graduation of their year - the 10th programme year of Leadership NZ: 33 amazing, authentic New Zealand leaders on the 2014 Leadership programme. They have spent an intense year journeying together – learning through challenging conversations and out-of-the-box experiences, how to lead across the diversity of Aotearoa NZ. The Hon Tariana Turia (guest speaker at the graduation) encouraged them to be catalysts, champions and change-makers focussed on transformation: “to go out there and make the very best of what you have learnt and our nation will be better for the difference you will make”. This 2014 group joins an active Leadership NZ Alumni group that now numbers 300 leaders across the country.
My heartfelt thanks to ALL the speakers, presenters and facilitators, who have given so generously of their time to share their leadership stories and experiences with the 2014 Leadership Programme cohort.
Our gratitude to all the organisations across our Leadership NZ family, and all the Alumni who have hosted us all around the country and been part of the programme.
You can read all about the 2014 Leadership Programme and the graduates by going to the 2014 Yearbook online.
2015 Leadership Programme
During the last few months my sadness at the ending of the 2014 programme year has been tempered by growing excitement as we have selected another stellar group of diverse highly motivated NZ Inc leaders for the 2015 Leadership programme. My special thanks to the Alumni and Trustees who have so generously given of their time to be part of this recruitment process.
Other Activities
In addition to our core Leadership Programme, we have been pleased to participate in other leadership initiatives and activities, including:
- Partnering to support Festival for the Future 2014 again by running a series of workshops on Self-Leadership, and Visions for New Zealand enabled us to engage with dynamic creative social entrepreneurs who are unleashing their potential on the world!
- In October, Korean Women International NZ (KOWIN NZ) held their 5th Young Generation Leadership Seminar. I really enjoyed conducting a workshop with a group of inter-generational leaders exploring leadership & how they contribute to building New Zealand Inc's prosperity through business and community development: lots of fun, inspiring reflections & conversations, and had the pleasure of meeting the Consul General of Korea, & the President of the Auckland Korean Society – both great supporters of the KOWINNZ initiative.
- Partnering with Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMH) to support their Inaugural Diversity Ball and launch the first CMH Diversity Scholarship – to enable a leader working to enhance and grow diversity and inclusion across Counties DHB to participate in the 2015 Leadership programme.
Grateful Thanks
Alofa and thanks from me, Judy, Annette and Louise to everyone who has helped make this year a success – special acknowledgment to our Chair Peter Garnett and all the Trustees, Advisory Trustees and Alumni from around the country for your valued contributions, and great appreciation for our funding partners, event partners, programme speakers, and supporters-in-kind.
Rod Oram said at the final retreat this year that he believed the most infinite resource we have is the human imagination! Well, you all enable a small aspirational organisation to be imaginative! With you we dream big things and together we are shaping and transforming the leadership culture of New Zealand.
Manuia le Kirisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
We look forward to connecting with you in 2015.
Arohanui
Sina
Sina Wendt-Moore
Chief Executive