EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE - Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

Our Employer Perspective series spotlights organisations committed to delivering leadership excellence through their relationship with Leadership NZ and its Signature Programmes.

How did MBIE’s relationship with Leadership NZ start?

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) began its relationship with Leadership NZ four years ago when our first cohort completed The NZ Leadership Programme (NZLP). Our people have all greatly benefited from the ongoing relationships they established and the techniques they were able to explore in both their professional and personal lives through this Programme. This year, MBIE has created four opportunities for staff to participate in Leadership NZ’s Programmes (one for NZLP; the other three to Pacific staff for The Mana Moana Experience).

Why has the MBIE invested in Leadership NZ?

One of our priorities at MBIE is ‘Growing Great Talent’. We believe this means investing in our leaders who in turn grow and develop great people. This benefits not only MBIE but the entire public sector by setting our public servants up to deliver a better service and improved outcomes for New Zealand. As an organisation, we are also trying to grow our talent pool of Pacific and Maori leaders. As the lead agency for the Tupu Tai Pasifika Public Sector Internship Programme, we have a responsibility to think about how we provide career progression opportunities for the young people we have brought into the public sector. These leadership opportunities are one way for us to continue to build the leadership pipeline by identifying talent and creating opportunities for Pacific, Maori and ethnic groups to gain leadership training and mentoring.

In what ways have our Programmes opened up more compelling internal conversations?

One of our values at MBIE is to be bold and brave. This is about encouraging us to be curious and have the confidence to ask the challenging questions. We truly believe we are better when we are working together. There is an appetite at MBIE to create space for diverse perspectives and remain open to new ideas. The training our people have received has not only given them skills and frameworks but also the confidence to start some courageous conversations.

What professional outcomes have our Programmes delivered to your organisation?

Having leaders who are able to lead from the head and the heart to fully harness the talent and diversity of our workforce in MBIE means we are able to build an inclusive future and embrace the differences of others. At MBIE, Matalena Leaupepe, Director of the Government Centre for Dispute Resolution, has been instrumental in establishing our relationship with Leadership NZ and has talked to me about the emotional courage and ability to facilitate a large group with different needs and experiences as something she is able to do with confidence since completing The NZ Leadership Programme. The important thing for me is that not only has she benefited, but her team is learning from her experience as well.

Carolyn Tremain is Chief Executive at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

💡 Are you a mid-level, senior executive or community leader in a New Zealand organisation who cares for the future of our nation? Do you know someone who is?