Growing culturally sustaining leadership

In a recent LinkedIn post; Jehan Casinader (ex journalist and Mental Health advocate) asked the question “What does your business actually stand for?” and observed that;

“Many firms are rolling back mental health, sustainability, diversity and inclusion initiatives. We’re seeing it around the world – and in some NZ businesses too. Many businesses tell good stories about how they’re leading social change, caring for their people, and looking after the planet.
But those stories only have impact – if we live them out.”

A well-timed challenge and one we responded to by posting and unpacking how Leadership Lab is serious when we say we only do work that creates a more Equitable Aotearoa and we’re not concerned in the slightest about bogus criticism of being too ‘woke’. We are disgusted by some of the policies being announced by international politicians especially over the last 2 weeks and also concerned about the regression in Aotearoa around issues of inclusion and equity that many of us have been working on for decades.

We can respond in many ways. Over the last summer months for us at Leadership Lab it has been writing submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill, the Regulatory Standards Bill and the Hormone Blockers policy review and participating in the Hikoi.

We have also been affected by New Zealand Government policy changes in professional learning for schools where our “Cultural capability in schools” contract came to an end in December 2024. This awesome team of 15 have been working in Kāhui Ako and schools around Aotearoa for over four year “Supporting kaiako (teachers) and tumuaki (principals) to grow competence and confidence in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, kaupapa Māori, critical consciousness and inclusion”

We have all loved this incredible opportunity to walk alongside leaders and their schools as they grow their culturally sustaining leadership muscles through exploring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, kaupapa Māori principles, culturally responsive and relational pedagogies etc in order to create inclusive, engaging and safe learning environments for all their students and their whanau.

However, over the last year, in response to these anticipated changes in policy above we have been planning a new chapter of ways to continue this mahi with professionals around Aotearoa and have two exciting initiatives to share today in this pānui.

Firstly, during 2024 we piloted a new initiative called the “Oritetanga wānanga series” in Ōtautahi. This involved 50 leaders from a range of government and community organisations participating in two one-day wānanga at local marae and whare. This series is for professionals who are committed to leading for equity and are on a journey of understanding about Te Tiriti-based equity in Aotearoa. We explored the WHY of leading for equity and the HOW and WHAT – tools and frameworks for culturally sustaining leadership. Evaluation feedback suggested a growth in confidence and competence for participants:

Gives me insight and knowledge to act with courage.

I loved how open and safe the space was to share and discuss opinions and experiences. It empowered me to be more brave to speak up and be unafraid to ask questions.

I didn’t really want to be told what to think, but enjoyed being invited to think and reflect for myself.

This has been another big step for me that has refreshed learning, re-energised thinking, reinforced my commitment and resolve to equity, strengthened my identity as tangata tiriti

It definitely confirmed some things for me that were already stirring. Helped me to feel more confident in moving forward in helping to influence system change in some way.

Thank you for teaching from powerful vulnerability. You made this learning about Ōritetanga equally available to all.

In 2025, we are planning to offer this wānanga series in Tāhuna (Queenstown), Pōneke (Wellington), Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Whangārei.

Secondly, we are extremely excited to be in final stage of designing a pilot of a “Te Tiriti Incubator”. The Te Tiriti Incubator aims to support leaders in giving effect to the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by developing a deeper understanding of the Tiriti relationship between Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti. It will be of interest to leaders in local and central government, business, education, social services, not-for-profits, community groups etc.

This is a 12-month journey consisting a series of four one-day wānanga held at various marae and whare (two of the wānanga are noho – overnight gatherings), peer learning groups and Clifton Strengths coaching for each leader to enhance personal and collective growth.

The pilot programme will be open to approximately 30 leaders with around 50% Tangata Whenua and 50% Tangata Tiriti. The programme will include regular opportunities for separate caucus groups—Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti—to facilitate open and honest discussions.

By engaging both groups, the programme strives to create a foundation for meaningful dialogue and partnership that respects and honours the principles of Te Tiriti.  Our Tangata Whenua facilitators have identified a focus that includes “navigating the complexities faced by Tāngata Whenua in our leadership journeys” and “growing in confidence to be authentically indigenous and how we navigate our relationships with Tangata Tiriti” and “decolonizing our own thought processes and addressing cultural taxation and cultural fatigue”. Our Tangata Tiriti facilitators have identified an “Opportunity to learn and fill in the many gaps in our understanding of Aotearoa and our place within it”, “To explore and connect with our identity and whakapapa and place value in it” and “To develop skills and dispositions in walking in partnership with tangata whenua and using all our strengths to create a better future in Aotearoa”.

We will be offering the Te Tiriti Incubator in Ōtautahi from June 2025 – April 2026 and we will consider other locations in 2026.

Expressions of interest open for both of these initiatives.  We are close to announcing dates and full details for both these initiatives. If you are interested in being kept updated as details emerge please register your expression of interest here. https://leadershiplab.co.nz/projects/ or email us on info@leadershiplab.co.nz

This piece was written by Dr Chris Jansen, Leadership Lab Director.

You can read more stories of impact as well as thought-provoking pieces from across our Leadership Lab ecosystem by signing up for this monthly pānui (see bottom of www.leadershiplab.co.nz) or by connecting with us on our Leadership Lab LinkedIn and Facebook . Thanks heaps for your interest.