Whakatakinga / Introduction

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

Hāpaitia te Manukura is a leadership development programme aimed at uplifting Manukura (Senior leaders) in Aotearoa kura to nurture the future leaders of Aotearoa. 

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

Our kura need leaders who lead as Aotearoa leaders, grounded in our unique values, tikanga, and commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi. This programme is designed to strengthen and support those leaders, so they in turn can grow kura that nurture ngā rangatira o āpōpō, the future leaders of Aotearoa.

Hāpaitia te ara tika pūmau ai te rangatiratanga mō ngā uri whakatipu.

Uphold the right path so that the future generations may prosper.

Tirohanga Whānui / Overview and Purpose 

Hāpaitia te Manukura is a nine month leadership development programme that is a ‘Call to Action’. It’s not a programme that will be all ‘hui and no do-ey’! Participants will be supported to be solutions focussed, trying new things, stretching ourselves, putting things into action and making positive changes.

It’s designed to be ‘kai for rangatira’, to fill your wairua cup as a leader and create strong and purposeful connections with other leaders in other school communities. 

Hāpaitia te Manukura is grounded in a commitment to:

• upholding the aspirations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• culturally empowering pedagogy
• relationships that move at the speed of trust
• mana ōrite and equity-led practice

Our programme approach is uniquely Aotearoa in nature and includes:

• A full-year journey: allowing you to learn at your own pace, engage deeply with your kura community, and apply new learning in real time.
• Noho marae: an opportunity to be immersed in tikanga Māori while building meaningful and lasting connections with colleagues.
• Mahitahi: learning in pairs with your hoamahi to strengthen teamwork and shared leadership growth within your kura.
• 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.

Leadership Pou

Hāpaitia te Manukura, Leadership Development Programme 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.

Explore who you are as a leader, the legacy you inherit, and the impact you wish to make. Strengthen your understanding of identity, responsibility, and the power of leading authentically in a multicultural nation founded on a bicultural partnership.

2) Kotahitanga – Leading through collaboration for collective impact

Building the conditions for thriving kura and communities.

Strengthen your capability to establish and sustain effective relationships. Learn to create cultures of trust, shared purpose, and collective efficacy that lead to meaningful change in your kura and community.

3) Ao Anamata – Leading towards equitable futures

Navigating complexity and designing systems for lasting impact.

Develop future-focused, mokopuna-led leadership practices that nurture ngā rangatira o āpōpō. Strengthen your ability to navigate complexity, transform systems, and ensure decisions uplift equity and wellbeing for all.

Who is Hāpaitia te Manukura for?

Hāpaitia te Manukura Leadership Development Programme is for senior leaders in Aotearoa schools. We invite Principals, DP’s and AP’s, in all educational contexts (primary, intermediate, secondary, and area schools), who are ready to grow their leadership for the future.

He Waka Haurua

To get the most out of this learning journey, we encourage you to enrol in pairs (he waka haurua). Having a trusted ally and critical friend alongside you will enrich your reflections, challenge your thinking, and strengthen your leadership growth.

Pairs from the same kura have a unique opportunity to create meaningful, collaborative change, translating new learning into collective action that makes a real difference for their ākonga and school community. Working together within your context often makes lasting impact easier to achieve than going it alone.

Your learning partner could be another leader within your kura or someone from another kura with whom you already share a positive working relationship.

We recommend enrolling as a pair if possible, however, if you don’t currently have someone in mind, please still register your interest and we will explore options to ensure you get the most from this journey.

How many spaces are available?

Each cohort of Hāpaitia te Manukura Leadership Development Programme is limited to 40 Manukura (leaders). Keeping group numbers small ensures every participant receives personalised, high-quality guidance and support from our expert facilitators throughout the journey.

This size also creates an intimate, connected learning whānau where kōrero is rich, feedback is meaningful, and everyone’s voice is valued.

Because of this intentionally low number, spaces are expected to fill quickly! We encourage you to register your interest early to secure your place in this unique leadership experience.

Format

The Hāpaitia te Manukura Leadership Development Programme blends kanohi ki te kanohi wānanga, virtual wānanga, and self-directed online learning to create a rich, connected learning experience.

1) Kanohi ki te kanohi Wānanga (2 x 2 days and 1 x 1 day)

These noho marae are held across three locations: Poneke (Wellington), Ōtautahi (Christchurch) and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). Within each wānanga, participants will come together as a full cohort, and at other times, will work in sector-based groups to explore challenges specific to their leadership contexts.

2) Virtual Wānanga

A series of 75min Zoom wānanga that will include: a 30min learning module with a 45min self-facilitated, professional learning group wānanga. Leaders will work in groups of three to connect, support, and challenge each other throughout the journey. Reflections will be guided by Tū Rangatira and the Educational Leadership Capability Framework.

3) Te Pou Herenga Waka – Online Learning Modules

Participants complete two self-directed Kōwae Ako (online courses):

• Online course 1: Te Waka Hītori, Aotearoa, NZ te Tiriti o Waitangi History: Understand and appreciate the partnership intent by which our country was founded, the important historical events that informed our identity as a country, and the past legislative processes engaged to settle Aotearoa.

• Online course 2: Te Waka Tiriti, Whakamana i te Tiriti o Waitangi (Honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi): Exploring the historical intent of te Tiriti o Waitangi – what it said and what Māori understood it to mean. Delve into each of the articles of te Tiriti o Waitangi and learn how we can honour and uphold this in our practice today.

Noho Marae:

Our programme is deeply committed to growing the cultural confidence and capability of all participants. To honour this, the two-day wānanga are noho marae. Immersion in tikanga Māori practices is a vital part of the learning journey, and the marae setting provides the ideal environment for connection and reflection.

We ask all participants to commit to the noho marae and staying together as a learning whānau. However, if this presents a barrier to your participation, please reach out to us for a kōrero, we’re happy to explore solutions together.

Ko wai ngā Kaihautū? (Who is leading?)

The Hāpaitia te Manukura Leadership Development Programme is a partnership between Riki Consultancy and Leadership Lab. Together, these two organisations bring an immense depth of educational leadership expertise and kaupapa Māori insight to this initiative.

Riki Consultancy is a proudly Māori-owned, whānau-led business founded by brother and sister duo, Janelle and Nathan. With over 18 years of experience, we are recognised leaders in cultural capability and Te Ao Māori advisory services. Our mahi is driven by a deep commitment to supporting leaders on their journey to becoming culturally confident and capable. Our approach is mana empowering, tiriti-honouring, and practical for busy kaimahi, building everyday confidence while ensuring everyone is culturally safe on the journey.

Leadership Lab is a Tiriti o Waitangi-led, impact-focused leadership consultancy. Our vision is to support leaders in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in developing equitable and flourishing communities and organisations. This vision is realised through partnerships with organisations in the community, education, health, and social services sectors, focusing on connecting and nurturing collaborative leaders. Leadership Lab comprises a collective of experienced and passionate, consultants from Whāngarei in the north to Tāhuna Queenstown in the south. Emphasising collective approaches, Leadership Lab co-designs impact projects that address complex challenges while giving effect to the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The values of mana ōrite, kotahitanga, and manaakitanga, shape our approach to every project.

Dates and logistics

The leadership journey starts in February and finishes in November 2026.

• Welcome experience (online late January) 
• Face-to-face Wānanga#1 (February 24-25th, noho marae) – Pōneke Wellington (Te Rau Karamu- Massey)
• Virtual wānanga x 3 (March, April and May) 
• Face-to-face Wānanga#2 (June 16-17th, noho marae) – Ōtautahi Christchurch (Ngā Hau e Whā Marae)
• Virtual wānanga x 3 (July, August, September, October)
• Face-to-face Wānanga#3 (November 10th) – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae Society) 
• Te Pou Herenga Waka -ongoing throughout

Note:

• Total of 5 days face-to-face contact plus 6 x 75 minute Virtual wānanga zoom meetings). This equates to 60 hours of synchronous PLD plus another 30-40 hours of asynchronous self-directed learning.

Cost

The following costs cover facilitation, venue and catering. Participants will need to arrange their own flights and transit costs

• $3750+GST/person

Application process

If you are interested in being a part of the “Hāpaitia te Manukura Leadership Development Programme” or learning more about what is involved please fill out this expression of interest TO ADD

We will then provide follow-up information that will allow you to seek any school approvals required in order to participate.

Any queries please email Chris Jansen on chris@leadershiplab.co.nz or Janelle Riki-Waaka janelle@rikiconsultancy.co.nz