He Kaihautū Toioreore – The Ultimate Team Leader (Tikanga-Aligned)

In this highly interactive and practical leadership programme, you’ll build the confidence, capability and cultural grounding to lead your people in a way that is both effective and mana-enhancing.

Designed specifically for Māori organisations and those working with Māori communities, this programme blends proven leadership practices with tikanga and Māori values such as manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kotahitanga and rangatiratanga.

Through shared kōrero, real-world application and reflection, you’ll strengthen your ability to lead yourself, your team, and your organisation in a way that reflects both professional excellence and cultural authenticity.

This programme creates space for leaders to grow in confidence, lead with purpose, and support teams to thrive as people—not just as performers.

 

What you’ll learn...

Great leaders in Aotearoa understand that leadership is not just about results — it is about people, relationships, and the way we show up.

In this programme, you will learn how to:

• Lead with authenticity, grounded in your own values and identity
• Build trust and strong relationships through whakawhanaungatanga
• Communicate with clarity while maintaining mana in challenging situations
• Navigate power, influence and organisational dynamics in a respectful and effective way
• Develop and support your people while balancing performance and wellbeing
• Lead change in a way that brings your team with you, not behind you

The learning journey focuses on practical tools, real-life challenges, and culturally relevant approaches that reflect the realities of leading in Aotearoa workplaces

 

Programme Modules

Session 1: Leading Self, History and Authenticity (Whai Kōrero)

• Understanding how Aotearoa’s history shapes leadership today
• Building self-awareness, identity and confidence as a leader
• Foundations of whakawhanaungatanga and trust
• Communication skills for diverse workplace contexts
• Navigating conflict while holding mana

 

Session 2: Collective Leadership and Learning Culture (Mana Motuhake)

• Moving from “I” to “we” — leading collectively
• Understanding power, influence and credibility
• Motivating teams through shared values and belonging
• Creating a learning culture where people contribute and grow

You’ll explore how leadership can uplift others and strengthen collective success

 

Session 3: Courageous Conversations and Accountability

• Leading courageous conversations with clarity and respect
• Giving feedback in a way that strengthens relationships
• Managing conflict constructively
• Strengthening accountability while maintaining trust

This session builds confidence to handle the conversations that matter most.

 

Session 4: Developing People and Sustaining Performance (Te Kāhui)

• Developing your team while recognising individual strengths
• Coaching, mentoring and growing capability
• Delegation and time leadership
• Supporting wellbeing and hauora in the workplace
• Integrating health and safety with a holistic view of people

You will learn how to grow strong people and sustainable performance without compromising culture.

 

Session 5: High-Performing Teams and Leading Change (Te Huringa)

• Characteristics of high-performing, values-led teams
• Leading change in a way that brings people with you
• Creating culturally safe environments during change
• Action planning to embed learning into your leadership practice

This final session focuses on applying your learning to real organisational challenges and opportunities.

 

How the programme works

The programme is delivered in a highly interactive, spaced-learning format to support real-world application.

• One full-day session every 2-3 weeks
• Practical mahi-kainga between sessions to apply learning in your workplace
• Opportunities for reflection, kōrero and shared learning

This structure ensures you can immediately apply your learning with your team and embed new leadership practices over time

 

After the programme, you’ll be able to...

• Lead your team in a way that is both effective and grounded in tikanga
• Build strong, trust-based relationships across your organisation
• Communicate confidently in challenging situations while maintaining mana
• Develop your people and create a culture of growth and accountability
• Balance performance expectations with wellbeing and hauora
• Lead change with confidence, bringing your people with you
• Strengthen your leadership identity and authenticity in any environment

Participants also gain practical tools, increased confidence, and a network of like-minded leaders supporting one another beyond the programme.

 

Duration: 5 sessions (one day every 2-3 weeks)

Level: Intermediate- Advanced

Delivery: Face-to-face (in class)

 

Course Costs:

Member (Standard) $2,900 + GST

Non-member (Standard) $3,500 + GST