Māori & Pasifika
Leadership Development Programme
Strengthening Leadership Through Cultural Knowledge
In West Auckland, a new wave of leadership is emerging. The Māori & Pasifika Leadership Development Programme was created to help Māori and Pasifika kaimahi recognise the leadership skills embedded in their cultural knowledge and practices, and to build their confidence and capability to step into leadership roles. While Māori and Pasifika kaimahi are vital to the day-to-day work of the community sector, leadership positions at senior levels are often less accessible. This programme provides a structured opportunity to support succession and grow representation in decision-making roles.
Participants engage in six full day wananga that blend cultural knowledge with practical leadership skills. In the first sessions, participants explore ko wai au? — who they are — and how their whakapapa and cultural identity shape their approach to leadership. They reflect on the journeys of their tīpuna across the Pacific and the resilience embedded in those histories, discovering how these strengths are just as relevant in modern workplaces. As the wananga progress, participants translate this grounding into organisational skills, building confidence in managing people, governance, financial accountability, and contemporary leadership tools.
The programme was co-designed by Community Waitākere alongside Māori and Pasifika leaders from the West Auckland Māori Thought Leadership Collective and Le Moana, whose experience and guidance ensure the learning is both culturally relevant and practically applicable. For many Māori and Pasifika kaimahi, opportunities to gain leadership experience can be limited, and confidence in stepping into senior roles is often constrained by structural and cultural barriers. By providing a safe, culturally affirming space, the programme allows participants to see themselves as leaders in their own right and to explore how traditional mātauranga can inform leadership in contemporary organisational settings. This approach encourages participants to embrace their heritage as a source of strength, giving them the tools to navigate complex environments while remaining authentic to their identity.
The wananga got off to a roaring start, with laughter and lively discussion from participants right from the beginning. Early feedback highlights the importance of providing spaces where Māori and Pasifika kaimahi can explore their cultural knowledge, build confidence, and practice the skills needed to step into leadership roles in the future. Facilitators emphasise that leadership is not just about a title or position—it’s about recognising and nurturing the potential already present in participants and supporting them to take the next step in their professional journey.
By fostering both cultural grounding and practical leadership skills, the Māori & Pasifika Leadership Development Programme is creating a platform for emerging leaders to develop, connect, and grow. It offers a clear pathway for succession, helping to ensure that more Māori and Pasifika voices are represented in senior roles across the community sector in West Auckland. Through this programme, participants are not only building their own capabilities, they are contributing to a broader vision of leadership that is confident, culturally informed, and ready to shape the future of their communities.