Dr Cheryl Doig

July 10th, 2025

Grow Waitaha: A Decade of Educational Transformation

Grow Waitaha represents an extraordinary 10-year journey supporting schools across Greater Christchurch through widespread educational transformation following the earthquakes. This inspiring programme has enabled schools and kura to reimagine education, fostering collaboration and meaningfully involving Mana Whenua in creating a vision for the future.

Leadership Lab has worked as a key partner alongside Evaluation Associates and Tātai Aho Rau Core Education. What sets Grow Waitaha apart is its genuinely collaborative approach – the Ministry of Education has participated not merely as a funder but as a true partner, while Mana Whenua have been involved from establishment through all adaptations to meet sector needs. This approach truly embodies the principle of “nothing about us without us.”

Over the past decade, Grow Waitaha has created:

  • 10+ communities of practice
  • 200+ events
  • Partnerships with 150+ schools
  • Numerous resources and impact stories

As the programme concludes in June 2025, a comprehensive case study has been released documenting this transformative journey. The study outlines the foundational years (2015-2020) that began with a hui at Tuahiwi Marae, grounding us in collaborative practices across the alliance partners. The most recent five years (2021-2025) have focused on four impact areas: Futures Pathways, Equity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing, all supported by powerful storytelling. The Grow Waitaha Case Study 2025 shares some of the amazing highlights of the programme and we recommend you read our journey and celebrate with us.

Key learnings from Grow Waitaha that Leadership Lab will continue building upon include:

  1. The essential value of collaboration and networking across schools, iwi, and stakeholders to effectively meet young people’s needs
  2. Mana Whenua partnership as fundamental to governance, planning, and implementation, honouring Te Tiriti
  3. Keeping learners at the centre of change, considering both immediate impacts and effects on future generations

Moving forward, Leadership Lab remains committed to supporting the education sector through adaptive change approaches that respond to needs rather than prescribe solutions. In our complex world, helping schools evolve, learn, and connect is crucial for ensuring learners not only drive change but thrive in their futures.

The full report can be read at Grow Waitaha Case Study 2025

This piece was written by Dr Cheryl Doig.
Kai titiro wāheke – Futurist
#futuresaunty

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.

Dr Cheryl Doig

July 10th, 2025

Grow Waitaha: A Decade of Educational Transformation

Grow Waitaha represents an extraordinary 10-year journey supporting schools across Greater Christchurch through widespread educational transformation following the earthquakes. This inspiring programme has enabled schools and kura to reimagine education, fostering collaboration and meaningfully involving Mana Whenua in creating a vision for the future.

Leadership Lab has worked as a key partner alongside Evaluation Associates and Tātai Aho Rau Core Education. What sets Grow Waitaha apart is its genuinely collaborative approach – the Ministry of Education has participated not merely as a funder but as a true partner, while Mana Whenua have been involved from establishment through all adaptations to meet sector needs. This approach truly embodies the principle of “nothing about us without us.”

Over the past decade, Grow Waitaha has created:

  • 10+ communities of practice
  • 200+ events
  • Partnerships with 150+ schools
  • Numerous resources and impact stories

As the programme concludes in June 2025, a comprehensive case study has been released documenting this transformative journey. The study outlines the foundational years (2015-2020) that began with a hui at Tuahiwi Marae, grounding us in collaborative practices across the alliance partners. The most recent five years (2021-2025) have focused on four impact areas: Futures Pathways, Equity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing, all supported by powerful storytelling. The Grow Waitaha Case Study 2025 shares some of the amazing highlights of the programme and we recommend you read our journey and celebrate with us.

Key learnings from Grow Waitaha that Leadership Lab will continue building upon include:

  1. The essential value of collaboration and networking across schools, iwi, and stakeholders to effectively meet young people’s needs
  2. Mana Whenua partnership as fundamental to governance, planning, and implementation, honouring Te Tiriti
  3. Keeping learners at the centre of change, considering both immediate impacts and effects on future generations

Moving forward, Leadership Lab remains committed to supporting the education sector through adaptive change approaches that respond to needs rather than prescribe solutions. In our complex world, helping schools evolve, learn, and connect is crucial for ensuring learners not only drive change but thrive in their futures.

The full report can be read at Grow Waitaha Case Study 2025

This piece was written by Dr Cheryl Doig.
Kai titiro wāheke – Futurist
#futuresaunty

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.