Te Mana: Our Transformative Māori Cultural Capability Programme

Te Mana is our transformative, five-session Māori cultural capability programme. It comprises four core modules followed by a final wrap up session, where participants share their personal reflections and experiences and their individual Te Mana cultural development plan. 

Te Mana builds the cultural awareness required to navigate Aotearoa, New Zealand's cultural landscape with confidence, deepening your understanding of Māori culture to strengthen both your individual practice and your organisation’s performance.

Overview

Day One: Te Tiriti o Waitangi - Understanding the Past, Shaping the Future. We explore the foundational history of Aotearoa, New Zealand, beginning with He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand) and the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We critically unpack and analyse the text of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, moving through significant post Te Tiriti o Waitangi events and examining the ongoing impact of systemic racism and intergenerational trauma. We conclude by exploring the specific relevance and application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi for organisations and individuals in today's landscape.

Day Two: Te Ao Māori - Introduction to the Māori World.  We focus on the foundations of Te Ao Māori and core values. We examine origin stories and their influence on traditional and contemporary societal and governance structures. By exploring how these structures interact with the reality of Māori in Aotearoa, New Zealand today, you will gain insights into how mātauranga Māori can enrich your professional practice and inform your decision-making.

Day Three: Mana Whenua - Engaging with Māori. We investigate the dynamics of successful engagement. We address the essential role of mana whenua and examine the pillars of developing meaningful, collaborative, and enduring relationships in both traditional and contemporary contexts. This day focuses on established good practice for engagement, providing you with a clear roadmap for building respectful, long-term partnerships.

Day Four: Te Reo Māori - Understanding the Fundamentals. We conclude by grounding your practice in the foundations required for life and work in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We cover the history of Te Reo Māori, the importance of macrons, and the meaning behind commonly used words. We explore fundamental cultural processes such as pōwhiri and whakatau, providing you with the practical tools and cultural understanding to act with genuine authenticity in any environment.

Who is Te Mana tailored for?

Te Mana is designed for individuals and organisations committed to operating with integrity and authenticity within Aotearoa’s unique cultural landscape:

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

• Leaders and Managers: Those looking to deepen their understanding of Aotearoa, New Zealand's cultural landscape and strengthen their inclusive leadership practice.

• Emerging Leaders: Individuals stepping into leadership roles who want to build a strong foundation grounded in authenticity and cultural awareness.

• Advisors and Policy Makers: Professionals in roles that influence decision-making and strategic policy.

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

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

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

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