How are our Alumni leading with what's needed for Aotearoa to thrive in the 21st Century? We sat down with ERENA KARA (Alum 2013) to track her journey and unlock the ways her leadership mahi is making a difference in Aotearoa since graduating from The NZ Leadership Programme (NZLP).
Since completing NZLP in 2013, where have you journeyed?
The most significant event since completing the Programme was adding to my whānau and bringing my pēpi Rawhiti into our lives. This came at a time when there were changes in my career. I had stepped into the role of Acting CEO for Te Rūnanga A Iwi O Ngāpuhi, which was experiencing major challenges at that time. In addition, I started the 405 Gym in Kaikohekohe. It is my home away from home and where I can breathe. Run by nine friends with no external funding, volunteers offer their time to run sessions with our members in Kaikohe and Kaeo. What I love most is seeing members’ confidence grow in all aspects of their lives.
In what ways has NZLP elevated your way of thinking, seeing or feeling the world?
The theme for my NZLP year was Diverse Leadership. I had very fixed mindsets on the world, so my challenge was to step out of the boundaries I had set for myself in order to view the world through other lenses. The single most important thing I learnt from the Programme was to be mindful of the intuition that comes from your puku (gut) and your ngākau (heart). These have all opened up diverse opportunities for our organisation.
What impact has the Programme had on your organisation or community?
My community involvement is always kaupapa- and whānau-driven. Kaikohekohe is a small town with a huge heart and so much to give to the world. The best way I can support our whānau is in their hauora journey. I do this through our 405 Gym. I have seen the positive effects it has had on so many of our 405 whānau. They are enjoying physical activity more and are more confident in themselves: this flows back into their household. Volunteering feels great on many levels, but I’ve learnt you need to understand your energy levels and build a talented team to navigate the ebbs and flows.
What has been your biggest leadership challenge to date?
The biggest challenge I have had is remembering to block out the noise. As an introvert, it’s easy to be so captured by all that is around you that you can lose sight of the direction in which you want to head. When I finished the Programme, I started to explore my practice as an introverted leader. Knowing and understanding myself, especially being comfortable with who I am deep down, has helped me through my biggest challenges.
If you had one piece of advice for future leaders, what would it be?
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
ERENA KARA is Senior Stakeholder Relationship Manager at Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities
Did Erena’s story resonate with you? This is one of many courageous, enriching and impactful journeys on The NZ Leadership Programme.
Leadership NZ is on a mission to find the committed, visionary, brave leaders who can lead with what's needed for Aotearoa to thrive in the 21st Century. In this time of uncertainty and change, our purpose to catalyse leadership in Aotearoa as a force for positive change has never felt more important.
Are you a mid-level, senior or community leader in New Zealand who feels purposeful to evolve its leadership landscape? Do you know someone who is?
Applications are open for The NZ Leadership Programme 2022
We warmly invite suitable leaders across New Zealand to apply now.