Te Tiriti o Waitangi centred leadership development

Leadership Lab is a Tiriti o Waitangi-led, impact focussed leadership consultancy. We grow leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand who develop equitable and flourishing communities and organisations. The graphic below outlines Leadership Lab’s five impact areas. In this pānui we will profile two current programmes that we have designed to intentionally focus on enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Tiriti Incubator
The first is the Te Tiriti Incubator which we launched in June this year with 25 experienced leaders from a wide range of sectors. Our key impact question for this initiative is;

As Tangata whenua and Tangata Tiriti, how do we intentionally grow our relationship as intended in Te Tiriti o Waitangi?

The Te Tiriti Incubator facilitates a learning journey in which Tangata Whenua (Māori) and Tangata Tiriti (non-Māori of any background) come together to develop a deeper understanding of building and sustaining mutually respectful and beneficial Tiriti-based relationships. By engaging both groups, the programme is creating an opportunity for exploring our own identities and deeply held beliefs, engaging in brave and meaningful dialogue, and activating system change that respects and honours the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. https://leadershiplab.co.nz/projects/te-tiriti-incubator/

It’s great to be collaborating with Tuahiwi Education in this project through their facilitation of two workshops, and also really appreciating the input from Koia te Matauraka at our most recent wānanga.

We are accepting expressions of interest for next cohort of Te Tiriti Incubator starting in June 2026 and these can be submitted via https://leadershiplab.co.nz/projects/te-tiriti-incubator/  or this form,

Hāpaitia te Manukura
The second is Hāpaitia te Manukura; is a ten-month leadership development journey designed to uplift and empower senior Aotearoa primary, intermediate, secondary and area school leaders to lead as their authentic selves while shaping equitable futures for our tamariki mokopuna. https://leadershiplab.co.nz/projects/hapaitia-te-manukura-2026/

• Hāpaitia: to uplift, support, elevate, rise up
• Manukura: leader

Hāpaitia te Manukura includes a unique combination of learning experiences including three noho wānanga based at urban marae in Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland), Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Pōneke/Wellington. Our key impact question for this initiative is;

How do we lead schools that grow tomorrow’s leaders?

The programme is a collaboration with our colleagues Janelle and Nathan at Riki Consulting https://www.rikiconsultancy.co.nz/ and is grounded in three Leadership Pou that reflect what it means to lead with authenticity, unity, and purpose in Aotearoa:

1. Taonga Tuku Iho – Leading from your authentic self (Ambicultural leadership grounded in whakapapa and values.)

2. Kotahitanga – Leading through collaboration for collective impact (Building the conditions for thriving kura and communities).

3. Ao Anamata – Leading towards equitable futures (Navigating complexity and designing systems for lasting impact).

This programme approach is uniquely Aotearoa in nature and includes:

• Tiriti-honouring by design: Every component gives effect to the articles of te Tiriti o Waitangi

• Grounded in Te Ao Māori: Noho marae and tikanga-based practice throughout

• Mahitahi learning: Learn in pairs – collective reflection, challenge, and support, creating an opportunity for sustained change

• Practical, not extra: Integrated into your existing role and leadership goals

• Expert facilitation: Co-led by Riki Consultancy and Leadership Lab, highly respected specialists in cultural capability and educational leadership

• Whole-year impact: 60+ hours of deep, high-quality PLD over ten months

• Aligned to the PGC: meeting the requirements for educational leaders’ Professional Growth Cycle and designed to integrate seamlessly into your current role, not as an extra project, but as a way to make meaningful progress on your existing challenges and future aspirations.

If you are interested in being a part of the “Hāpaitia te Manukura” or know someone who could be keen please fill out this Expression of Interest. Any queries please email Chris Jansen on chris@leadershiplab.co.nz  or Janelle Riki-Waaka janelle@rikiconsultancy.co.nz

Ngā mihi,
Chris Jansen, Director and Senior Consultant

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 . You can find an incredible library of resources that you can read, listen or watch on our website here.

Thanks heaps for your interest.