“I felt different. I took away that I may not necessarily need changing but more unlocking what is already there, and overcoming some insecurities and doubts in myself. I'm so ready to embrace the journey.” MO MATAUTIA-TEPANIA shares her whakaaro at the beginning of her journey on the New Zealand Leadership Programme 2022.
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We hold events for our alumni, friends, and the general public for people to connect with the important conversations in leadership.
Subject matter experts and prominent New Zealand leaders share their knowledge and engage with the audience, sparking new ideas and innovation as minds from different backgrounds converge and focus their energy on a salient issue or theme.
Our Environment, Our System
“For me, the kaupapa was possibly the most impactful so far because, I’m ashamed to say, I give my relationship with the environment very little thought day to day. I was inspired and tested by the panel of my peers, sharing the work they do protect the environment, educate society and create positive change,” shares NATALIE BARKER on Retreat 4 of The NZ Leadership Programme.
Read MoreA Multi-cultural Desire to Co-exist
“As my journey with The NZ Leadership Programme progresses, one thing is for certain: I have a grounded realisation that there is a multi-cultural desire to harmoniously co-exist and grow in this nation. The diverse group of leaders that have brought their full selves and come together on this transformative process are a testament to the possibility of a true partnership between people who celebrate the beauty of our different cultures and identities,” reflects VINNY LOHAN from Retreat Three.
Read MoreMy Immersion in Our People and Our Land
“As a leader, it is my role to lead the change, support others to ensure a culturally diverse organisation, prepare for Mana Ōrite, the entanglement of Māori – know the narrative,” shares FIONA PARRANT following Retreat Three of The NZ Leadership Programme in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Read MoreA Place To Rumble
“It struck me during this Retreat that the marae is probably the best model of a safe place for dialogue that we have in Aotearoa New Zealand. Leadership often involves standing and speaking in uncomfortable situations. Acknowledging or addressing hurt. Looking for ways to move ahead,” reflects RICHARD COTMAN after experiencing Retreat Two (Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Te Ao Māori) of The NZ Leadership Programme at Kohewhata Marae.
Read MoreMy Cultural Journey Across Aotearoa
“Before heading to Retreat Two (Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Te Ao Māori) of The NZ Leadership Programme, I took time to connect with my family and research my ancestral history in this land. Maybe what I have learned from this experience is that there is a humbling gratitude in knowing who we are, where we are from, where our connections lie, what land we caretake and make our home on. The land which nurtures and provides for us. It is equally humbling to know and respect this of others, and what their ancestral connections mean to them,” says PAUL TANSLEY.
Read MoreSeeking The "True North" For Aotearoa
“This Retreat has further exposed me to the Tikanga and Te Ao Māori. It reminds and reinstates the value of culture in guiding the identity and living of individuals and groups,” shares SNEHA LAKHOTIA on her experience of Retreat Two of The NZ Leadership Programme.
Read MoreDeepening My Relationship with Te Ao Māori
“The deeper layer of learning came from an appreciation and tremendous respect for Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview). More importantly, I saw Māori tikanga come to life in the interactions with the Wihongi family, the speakers and my classmates,” reflects ADELENE LYNCH from Retreat Two (Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Te Ao Māori) of The NZ Leadership Programme.
Read MoreExtending My Social Boundaries
“I felt that I needed to process the experience as I was unclear as to what it quite meant but aware that my personal viewpoint and boundaries had been expanded. On reflection, I am uncertain as to whether this makes for better leadership. However, I am certain that it makes for better understanding of yourself and others - people whom I would normally never get to know, especially about their fundamental beliefs and life perspective (including motivations, culture and what is important to them),” shares ANDREW TOOP on Retreat One of The NZ Leadership Programme.
Read MoreExploring Leadership - From the First Tee
“Knowing myself in those moments: the care I take to breath and steady myself, mindful of the muscles I know I have and feeling for the places where they are lacking, being able to see where are the parts of me – the precise spot, the right angle on the ball - that I need to connect with for me to do good, to be impactful, to land in a good place and land there intact,” enthuses LISA RIDEHALGH on Retreat One of The NZ Leadership Programme.
Read MoreLeaders Connecting Through a Shared Kaupapa
“I have accepted an invitation to change by being part of The NZ Leadership Programme 2021. Before the first retreat, I thought the change might be that I would learn some new skills and meet new people. It is both those things but much more, “shares EMMA MCLEAN on Retreat One of The NZ Leadership Programme.
Read MoreStarting my Green Leadership Journey
“I knew Retreat Seven: Our Environmental Crisis of The NZ Leadership Programme was going to be extra challenging and confronting. But, I arrived open to growing a new way of thinking and being,” shares LISA LOPETI.
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Ngā Kano (In Colour)
What does it mean to be a leader through this unsettling time? What perspectives are missing from our conversations? How can creativity help our communities? Some of the relevant and real questions swirling around DAMIAN VAUGHAN’s mind and heart following Retreat 4: Governance & Global Issues of The NZ Leadership Programme.
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Journeying with the Known and Unknown
“The Programme challenges me to listen to others’ diverse views and be guided by art rather than facts or science. Through all this is Louise Marra, the provocateur who presents us with the opportunity to face the known and unknown,” shares JAMES TREADWELL from Retreat Four: Governance and Global Issues of The NZ Leadership Programme.
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Seeing the Light
“Perhaps as a society we have done what many of us have for some time – ignored our humanity because we made it too hard, or ourselves too busy to fit it in,” shares NIKKI LAWSON following Retreat Three: A Civil Society of The NZ Leadership Programme.
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Exploring People, Power and Privilege
“Don’t die a potato”: a curious admission (and more) from GRANT TAYLOR as he reflects on Retreat Three of The NZ Leadership Programme, delivered across two days on Zoom.
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Unfurling the koru of leadership
“I don’t see growth as having a start or end…It’s like a continuous process of reflection, refraction and diffraction. All these changes in direction, in movement, in feelings can be quite overwhelming,” shares KAATERINA KEREKERE on Retreat One of The NZ Leadership Programme.
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Things I carry with me
“We know that we are here for some abstraction, which may by the end of the year become concrete action. I wonder what we will be carrying at the end of the year and what we will have left behind. I know we are up for the challenge,” shares ARNA METCALFE on Retreat One of The NZ Leadership Programme.
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Bringing the light and the dark
“What does bringing our whole selves mean to the roles we have and the communities we serve? How does this allow us to empower others? How would this shape our approach to building more tolerance, respect and understanding?,” asks JASMYNE CHUNG after Retreat One of The NZ Leadership Programme.
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What is Our Shared Story?
For VICKI CAISLEY, Retreat Six (Governance and Global Issues) of The NZ Leadership Programme created “an opening of hearts, an expansion of minds, an appreciation of our different stories”.
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