Piharoa - Māori Cultural Capability for Executive Leaders
Piharoa empowers leaders with the cultural confidence and capability needed to build meaningful, enduring relationships with Māori communities. Designed for those with limited knowledge of te ao Māori, this transformative experience begins with a two-day, in-person wānanga, followed by two interactive online sessions in weeks two and three. Piharoa is ideal for senior leaders, governance teams, and others seeking to engage and build authentic stakeholder relationships with Māori communities.
Description
Piharoa is a leadership programme designed to help senior leaders engage more effectively with Māori communities, stakeholders, and partners.
Through a combination of immersive wānanga, practical learning, and facilitated discussion, participants build the cultural confidence, knowledge, and leadership capability needed to make informed decisions, strengthen relationships, and lead with greater cultural intelligence.
Designed for executives, governance teams, and organisational leaders, Piharoa provides a strong foundation in te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi while exploring their practical relevance in leadership and organisational settings.
Why Choose this programme?
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Build leadership confidence in Māori contexts. Gain the knowledge and practical understanding needed to engage respectfully and effectively with Māori communities, partners, and stakeholders.
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Strengthen strategic relationships. Learn how to build trust-based relationships that support meaningful collaboration, stronger stakeholder engagement, and long-term organisational outcomes.
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Lead with greater cultural intelligence. Develop a deeper understanding of Māori perspectives, values, and decision-making approaches that influence modern organisational environments.
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Support organisational commitments and responsibilities. Build capability in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural engagement, and inclusive leadership in a way that is practical and relevant to your role.
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Learn through immersive and applied experiences. The blended delivery model combines face-to-face learning, facilitated discussion, and practical application to support lasting behaviour change.
What you'll learn
By the end of Piharoa, your organisation will have:
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Leaders who are more confident engaging with Māori stakeholders, communities, and partners
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Stronger capability to build trusted, respectful, and enduring relationships with iwi, hapū, and whānau
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Greater understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance to organisational leadership and decision-making
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Increased cultural intelligence across executive, governance, and leadership teams
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Improved confidence participating in Māori cultural settings, protocols, and engagement processes
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Stronger foundations for partnership, consultation, and community engagement initiatives
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Enhanced organisational credibility when working alongside Māori communities
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Leadership capability that supports inclusion, reputation, and long-term strategic outcomes
Who this programme is for
Piharoa is designed for:
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Executive leaders and senior decision-makers
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Governance boards and trustees
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Chief executives and senior management teams
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People & Capability leaders responsible for organisational culture and capability
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Leaders working with Māori stakeholders, communities, customers, or partners
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Organisations seeking to strengthen cultural capability at a leadership level
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Leaders with limited prior knowledge of te ao Māori who want a practical and supportive starting point
How learning works
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Blended delivery programme
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3-week duration
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20 hours of facilitated learning
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10 hours of self-directed learning between sessions
Programme structure:
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Week 1: 2-day in-person wānanga
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Week 2: Half-day live online session
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Week 3: Half-day live online session
Learning is delivered through facilitated discussion, practical activities, case studies, reflection, and application exercises.
What you'll receive
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Two-day immersive in-person wānanga experience
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Live online facilitated learning sessions
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A professionally designed printed workbook
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Practical frameworks and tools for Māori engagement and relationship building
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Access to experienced facilitators with extensive governance, leadership, and Māori development expertise
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Opportunities to connect and learn alongside other senior leaders
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A certificate of completion upon successfully finishing Piharoa
Pricing
NZD $2,250 (incl GST)per participant
Minimum cohort size of 10 participants.
For organisations interested in private or in-house delivery, contact our team to discuss customised delivery options.