Manako Nui - Cultural Leadership Programme

Manako Nui is a transformative leadership experience grounded in Te Ao Māori. It equips leaders to lead with cultural clarity and confidence, combining hands-on learning with inspiring keynote sessions from respected Māori leaders who share their own personal insights and real-world experiences.

Delivered in two immersive two-day blocks, Manako Nui offers a cultural experience grounded in Te Ao Māori. Over two weeks, participants engage in wānanga, group work, and hands-on learning, deepening their understanding of Te Ao Māori and discovering their own cultural leadership style.

 

During Manako Nui you will: 

• Explore the foundations of culturally authentic leadership: Culturally authentic leadership is a style that is both culturally grounded in diverse traditions and inclusive in its expression of different perspectives and ways of thinking.

• Examine core Māori values and their application: Examine Māori concepts like 'mana' and explore Māori values like rangatiratanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga and wairuatanga and how they can enrich and inform your practice.

• Enhance self-awareness and cultural intelligence: Gain a deeper understanding of your own cultural lens and develop the capacity to appreciate and navigate diverse cultural perspectives.

• Develop skills for inclusive and equitable leadership: Learn strategies for fostering inclusive environments and making culturally responsive decisions.

• Build a supportive network of like-minded people: Connect with your peers on a similar journey of cultural discovery.

• Develop your own personal cultural leadership plan: Identify actions to integrate more culturally authentic approaches and practice into your work and daily life.  

 

Programme Overview 

Day One: Wednesday 4th March 2026, 9.00am - 4.00pm (Rūnanga Room, Level 1, Kumutoto Function Centre, PWC Building, Wellington)

Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Power of Cultural Transformation  

We critically analyse the evolution of Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Tiriti o Waitangi within historical, contemporary, and future contexts.  We analyse a case study around organisational transformation underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  Our Guest Speaker for Day One of Manako Nui is Peter Miskimmin.

Peter Miskimmin is a former New Zealand Olympic field hockey captain who has had a significant career in sports administration. For over a decade, he served as the Chief Executive of Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa.

During his tenure, which started in April 2008 through to his departure in December 2020, he oversaw the national sports funding setup and played a key role in the creation of the country's high-performance funding model. In 2021, he was also appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for his services to sports governance and public service.

His most recent role, as of 2024, is Sports Diplomacy Manager for New Zealand, where he is tasked with using sport to help achieve government objectives in political, economic, and social sectors.

Peter will be sharing his personal leadership insights and experience during his time as CEO of Sport New Zealand leading the organisation through a Te Tiriti based cultural transformation.

 

Day Two: Thursday 5th March 2026, 9.00am - 4.00pm (Rūnanga Room, Level 1, Kumutoto Function Centre, PWC Building, Wellington)

Te Ao Māori and Māori Values        

Day Two focuses on Te Ao Māori and Māori values and how mātauranga Māori continues to offer valuable insights and benefits from a leadership perspective.  Participants will explore the contrasting approaches of Kupe and Captain Cook to exploration and discovery, offering a lens into distinctly different worldviews.  Our Guest Speaker for Day Two of Manako Nui is Julian Wilcox.

Julian Wilcox (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa) is an experienced Māori Television presenter and executive known for his work in Māori media, education, and iwi development.  

Julian will share his leadership insights and experiences about the Kupe model of leadership and the contribution and value of Te Ao Māori to leadership in an Aotearoa New Zealand context. 

In speaking on Kupe and leadership, Julian draws on the legendary navigator’s courage and vision to highlight timeless lessons for today’s leaders, reminding us that the legacy of Kupe is one of discovery, guidance, and responsibility for future generations.

 

 

Day Three: Wednesday 11th March 2026, 9.00am - late (Wellington Tenths and Palmerston North Māori Reserves Trusts, Hikoikoi, Petone with overnight stay at Tatum Park Estate, Ōhau)  

Mana Whenua - Enduring Relationships and Partnerships  

We address essential questions regarding 'mana whenua', and the role they play? This day includes a visit to a mana whenua entity - the Wellington Tenths and Palmerston North Māori Reserves Trusts (the Ahuwhenua Trusts) and kōrero with representatives from the Ahuwhenua Trusts.  Participants will learn about the story of the Ahuwhenua Trusts and the role of mana whenua and how to develop meaningful, collaborative and enduring relationships that are mutually beneficial.  Our Guest Speaker for Day Three of Manako Nui is Liz Mellish. 

Liz Mellish (Te Āti Awa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui) is a highly respected leader in iwi governance, finance, and community development.  Liz has played a pivotal role in advancing Māori economic growth and sustainable development and has a deep commitment to intergenerational leadership and whānau wellbeing.  As our Guest Speaker, Liz will share her insights on leadership and the importance of values-based leadership and meaningful relationships to ensure long-term prosperity for both current and future generations.     

Participants will spend the day hosted by the Ahu Whenua Trusts at Hikoikoi, in Pito One, Wellington.  Participants will depart Hikoikoi at 2.00pm and travel to Ōtaki for a site visit at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and then head on to Tatum Park Estate in Ōhau where the group will stay overnight and prepare for the final day of the Manako Nui programme.     

 

Day Four: Thursday 12th March 2026, 9.00am - 3.00pm (Tatum Park Estate, Ōhau) 

Rangatiratanga - Manako Nui Leadership in Practice   

Participants will spend the final day at Tatum Park Estate, Ōhau envisioning the future of Aotearoa New Zealand and finalising their own Manako Nui leadership development plans needed to realise that vision. Participants will finalise and present their plans to Manako Nui participants as well as an invited guest panel for critical feedback and analysis.   Our Guest Speaker for Day Four of Manako Nui is Atawhai Tibble.

Atawhai Tibble (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Ngāti Raukawa) brings expertise in cultural capability development, community engagement, and Māori impact measurement. His law degree, experience in Māori social and economic development, and passion for music and performing arts all underpin his refreshing and energetic approach. Atawhai proudly incorporates Te Ao Māori and other perspectives in collaborative mahi and solutions.

Atawhai has held senior leadership positions across Wellington, including at MSD, The Social Wellbeing Agency, Stats NZ, and the NZ Treasury. He also has extensive experience in building organisational cultural capability and has provided support to NZ Rugby, the NZ Law Society, Audit NZ, Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Conservation.

The Manako Nui Leadership programme concludes with a graduation and presentation of taonga to participants to acknowledge each participant's Manako Nui journey.  We conclude the day with a shared lunch and depart early afternoon back to Wellington.  

 

This programme is suited for:

• Public Sector, Private Sector, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) whose success relies on navigating New Zealand's unique cultural environment.

• Leaders and Managers looking to deepen their understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand's cultural landscape and strengthen their inclusive leadership practice.  Individuals stepping into leadership roles who want to build a strong foundation grounded in authenticity and cultural awareness.

• Advisors, Policy Makers, and other roles that influence decision-making and policy.

• Early Career Professionals seeking a strong, culturally grounded foundation for their future leadership path.

• Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs seeking to build ethical, sustainable businesses that reflect the values and cultural landscape of Aotearoa.

• Educators and Facilitators who want to embed culturally authentic leadership principles into their teaching and practice.

• Personal Growth Seekers committed to self-development and a deeper understanding of leadership within Aotearoa New Zealand's unique cultural context.

 

Manako Nui is a transformative leadership experience for anyone who recognises the importance of leading with genuine self-awareness, cultural intelligence, and deep respect for the bicultural foundation and multi-cultural makeup of our Aotearoa New Zealand society.  It's for those ready to move beyond surface-level leadership and instead cultivate a leadership style that is culturally authentic, grounded, and uniquely shaped for Aotearoa New Zealand.