Authors
June 1st, 2026
Investing time in growing our Te Tiriti relationships
“As Tangata whenua and Tangata Tiriti, how do we intentionally grow our relationship as intended in Te Tiriti o Waitangi?”
From June 2025 to April 2026, Leadership Lab offered a new initiative called the “Te Tiriti Incubator”. This programme aimed to facilitate a learning journey in which Tangata Whenua (Māori) and Tangata Tiriti (non-Māori of any background) came together to develop a deeper understanding of how to build and sustain mutually respectful and beneficial Tiriti-based relationships.
Twenty-eight people joined this 10-month journey consisting of a series of four wānanga held at various marae and whare, including Rehua Marae, Rāpaki Marae, Tuahiwi Marae and Te Iho o te Ora whare, as well as a range of small group wānanga. Participants also experienced Clifton Strength coaching applied to Te Tiriti relationships.
Leadership Lab was supported by Tuahiwi Education in facilitating two one-day wānanga as part of the Te Tiriti Incubator, and their wānanga at Tuahiwi Marae and in the Ōtautahi CBD were essential in acknowledging mana whenua and the history of this region.
I appreciated the opportunity to get a clearer understanding regarding the Ngāi Tahu settlement and some of their experiences of colonisation, especially in regards to land.
It was inspiring the way Ngāi Tahi mobilised to achieve an outcome and the personal stories shared by Nicole and Lynne were powerful to hear the personal impact and bring the history to life.
By engaging both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti, the programme hoped to create an opportunity to explore our own identities and deeply held beliefs, engage in brave and meaningful dialogue, and activate system change that respects and honours the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. One of the core processes in the programme was the meeting of separate Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti caucus groups. These were held at each wānanga for a few hours each, after which the two groups would rejoin to reflect together. Participants reflected that these were the most powerful and meaningful parts of the experience.
The Māori caucus was a privilege to be a part of. Each person has a rich story that helps bring to life the learnings. I have loved hearing people’s experiences and insight. The laughter, tears, and depth of relationship strengthen the learning.
I found a lot of my personal growth occurred while in the pakeha discussion spaces. It allowed me to explore the trickier parts of what I needed to unpack, while not having to worry about adding to the mental load of the people some of my actions and understandings actively harm
Another key strength of the programme was the 10 months during which relationships could grow through sustained kōrero and shared experiences.
I loved having conversations with both tangata tiriti and tangata whenua – these were my favourite parts of the course. Being in conversation and trying to find our way through towards how we have conversations about challenging things in a solid and relational way. Dancing with the edge of how to call each other out, and offer challenge, without losing the safety of the group.
Ironically, participants and facilitators generally felt that 10 months was too short a time to progress too far in this kaupapa, and we are exploring what future steps and wānanga could look like. However, despite that, participants reflected on the impact that the learning and relationships were starting to have on their lives and workplaces.
The shift I have in my heart is that it’s time to step in and step up to the tricky spaces knowing that my existing relationships will be very challenged. I realised over the course of this programme that it takes time, grace and perseverance to lay a foundation for all to build relationships then knowledge. This is timely for the transition of my new role in activating our organisation in the partnering of Te Tiriti principles and supporting tangata whenua to reach their potential.
I think what I got was a greater confidence at Pakeha to discuss and find a voice to confront racism coming from Pākehā. I know at the start of the course when in those situations I’d be struck dumb, not knowing what to say, but by the end of the course without thinking about it responses would come out of my mouth.
This reflection piece was written by our Te Tiriti Incubator team
June 1st, 2026
Investing time in growing our Te Tiriti relationships
“As Tangata whenua and Tangata Tiriti, how do we intentionally grow our relationship as intended in Te Tiriti o Waitangi?”
From June 2025 to April 2026, Leadership Lab offered a new initiative called the “Te Tiriti Incubator”. This programme aimed to facilitate a learning journey in which Tangata Whenua (Māori) and Tangata Tiriti (non-Māori of any background) came together to develop a deeper understanding of how to build and sustain mutually respectful and beneficial Tiriti-based relationships.
Twenty-eight people joined this 10-month journey consisting of a series of four wānanga held at various marae and whare, including Rehua Marae, Rāpaki Marae, Tuahiwi Marae and Te Iho o te Ora whare, as well as a range of small group wānanga. Participants also experienced Clifton Strength coaching applied to Te Tiriti relationships.
Leadership Lab was supported by Tuahiwi Education in facilitating two one-day wānanga as part of the Te Tiriti Incubator, and their wānanga at Tuahiwi Marae and in the Ōtautahi CBD were essential in acknowledging mana whenua and the history of this region.
I appreciated the opportunity to get a clearer understanding regarding the Ngāi Tahu settlement and some of their experiences of colonisation, especially in regards to land.
It was inspiring the way Ngāi Tahi mobilised to achieve an outcome and the personal stories shared by Nicole and Lynne were powerful to hear the personal impact and bring the history to life.
By engaging both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti, the programme hoped to create an opportunity to explore our own identities and deeply held beliefs, engage in brave and meaningful dialogue, and activate system change that respects and honours the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. One of the core processes in the programme was the meeting of separate Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti caucus groups. These were held at each wānanga for a few hours each, after which the two groups would rejoin to reflect together. Participants reflected that these were the most powerful and meaningful parts of the experience.
The Māori caucus was a privilege to be a part of. Each person has a rich story that helps bring to life the learnings. I have loved hearing people’s experiences and insight. The laughter, tears, and depth of relationship strengthen the learning.
I found a lot of my personal growth occurred while in the pakeha discussion spaces. It allowed me to explore the trickier parts of what I needed to unpack, while not having to worry about adding to the mental load of the people some of my actions and understandings actively harm
Another key strength of the programme was the 10 months during which relationships could grow through sustained kōrero and shared experiences.
I loved having conversations with both tangata tiriti and tangata whenua – these were my favourite parts of the course. Being in conversation and trying to find our way through towards how we have conversations about challenging things in a solid and relational way. Dancing with the edge of how to call each other out, and offer challenge, without losing the safety of the group.
Ironically, participants and facilitators generally felt that 10 months was too short a time to progress too far in this kaupapa, and we are exploring what future steps and wānanga could look like. However, despite that, participants reflected on the impact that the learning and relationships were starting to have on their lives and workplaces.
The shift I have in my heart is that it’s time to step in and step up to the tricky spaces knowing that my existing relationships will be very challenged. I realised over the course of this programme that it takes time, grace and perseverance to lay a foundation for all to build relationships then knowledge. This is timely for the transition of my new role in activating our organisation in the partnering of Te Tiriti principles and supporting tangata whenua to reach their potential.
I think what I got was a greater confidence at Pakeha to discuss and find a voice to confront racism coming from Pākehā. I know at the start of the course when in those situations I’d be struck dumb, not knowing what to say, but by the end of the course without thinking about it responses would come out of my mouth.
This reflection piece was written by our Te Tiriti Incubator team
Authors