Piharoa - Māori Cultural Capability for Executive Leaders | Blended
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 your opportunity to enhance your leadership with vision, courage, and cultural intelligence. Designed for senior leaders and governance teams, this transformational programme equips you with the knowledge and confidence to champion authentic engagement with Māori communities.
By deepening your understanding of mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, you’ll unlock new ways to build trust, enrich your brand, and create meaningful value for your teams, customers, and stakeholders.
You are the driving force behind the ripple of change - like the surge from the bow of a waka or the powerful sweep of a whale’s tail. With Piharoa, your influence extends far beyond the moment, leaving a legacy of purpose and connection.
Learner Profile
Executive leaders, senior managers, governance teams, and decision-makers seeking to engage authentically with Māori communities. Designed for those with limited knowledge of Māori language and customs.
Course Prerequisites
No previous knowledge is required as this is a foundation course.
You will need an open mind and willingness to learn and apply, at a basic level:
- Māori language
- Aspects of tikanga Māori (Māori customs and cultural practices)
- Tirohanga Māori (Māori worldview)
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Course Topics
This short, foundation course will cover:
Tirohanga Māori - Māori worldview
Gain a clear understanding of how Māori see the world, relationships, and leadership. This perspective helps you shape more inclusive strategies and guide your organisation with cultural intelligence.
Tikanga - cultural practices
Learn how to demonstrate respect and care by participating in welcome and relationship building practices, through principles like manaakitanga and kotahitanga. These practices strengthen your credibility and ability to build trust with Māori partners and communities.
Pūrākau - local stories
Discover iwi and hapū stories that shape identity and connection to place. These insights equip you to engage authentically and lead with deeper cultural awareness.
Basic reo Māori
Using even simple reo Māori signals respect and commitment. This builds trust, strengthens relationships, and shows your organisation’s dedication to meaningful engagement.
Pepeha and mihimihi - Introductions in te reo Māori
Crafting and sharing your pepeha and mihimihi affirms your identity and values. It sets a tone of humility, openness, and creates connection in every leadership setting.
Pōwhiri and whakatau - cultural formalities
Understand key protocols to participate confidently in pōwhiri and whakatau. This capability empowers you to represent your organisation with respect in formal Māori spaces.
Engaging Māori stakeholders
Develop practical skills to consult, collaborate, and build trusted relationships with iwi, hapū, and whānau. This strengthens your organisation’s reputation and supports successful partnerships.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Deepen your knowledge of Te Tiriti and its relevance today. Your leadership commitment to partnership and equity will set your organisation apart.
Staff Profiles
Olive (Olly) Jonas
Piharoa Kaiārahi (Facilitator)
Master Māori & Indigenous Leadership (MMIL)
Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi
Olly has over 25 years of experience working in senior management and governance roles across the public and private sectors, Iwi PSGE, tertiary education, and Pacific Nations. Olly is a champion of Indigenous development and mātauranga Māori as a means to meet obligations to te taiao, tangata, and taonga tuku iho.
Neville King
Piharoa Kaiārahi (Facilitator)
MBA, Diploma of Teaching and a Bachelor of Social Science
Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Ngararanui, Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāti Porou
Neville brings extensive networks, experience and expertise across many aspects of te ao Māori, Primary industries, Business, Education and Governance. Neville has a passion for developing whānau capability and potential of whānau to grow culturally, socially and economically utilising te ao Māori as a framework for development and well-being which is captured in this whakataukī: “Tūngoungou ki te whenua, ki te rangi, he pepe”.
Course Delivery
Delivery mode: Blended.
Week 1: A 2-day, in-person wānanga
Week 2: Half-day interactive, live online class on Zoom
Week 3: Half-day interactive, live online class on Zoom
Total duration: There’s 20 hours of facilitated learning across 3 weeks. Participants will complete an addition 10 hours of self-directed learning between sessions.
Course materials: Professionally designed printed workbook provided.
Assessment and Certificates
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There are no formal assessments for this course.
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There are tasks and quizzes to help test your knowledge. Tasks and quizzes can be repeated as many times as you’d like.
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A printable electronic certificate will be emailed to you when you successfully complete the course.
What You Need / Technical Requirements
Physical Items:
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Digital device with camera and microphone to attend online events (e.g. a laptop, PC, tablet and/or a smartphone)
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Headset or earphones (recommended)
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Reliable broadband internet connection
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Pen and paper if you wish to write your own notes.
Software:
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A browser like Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge to access your Digital Classroom
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Zoom video conferencing application
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Email - Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.
Course Fees and Payment Options
Transfers and Refunds
Transfers, Credits, and Refunds
Check our Terms & Conditions for full policy details and eligibility criteria.
Terms and Conditions - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access the materials after the course?
Yes. All participants will receive a professionally designed printed workbook to support their learning throughout the course. This workbook is yours to keep and can be used as an ongoing resource after the course has finished.
Are there assessments?
No, however there are tasks and quizzes to help test your knowledge. Tasks and quizzes can be repeated as many times as you would like.
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes, certificates will be emailed on successful completion of the course.
Can I register for multiple courses?
Yes, you can register for multiple courses. For the best experience, we suggest taking them one at a time rather than all at once.
What support is available?
Our facilitators will be available to guide your learning and respond to any pātai (questions) during each in-class session. If you need support outside of class, they will share their preferred method of contact, so you can connect with them directly.
We also encourage each cohort group to create an online group chat—such as through Facebook or WhatsApp—to help you stay connected, share insights, and provide peer-to-peer support throughout the course.
For direct enquiries learners can also use our web form: https://tearawai.twoa.ac.nz/contact-us
Can I enrol with friends or colleagues?
Yes, absolutely! Studying with family, friends, and/or colleagues is highly encouraged.
What if I fall behind?
If life gets busy, do not worry. Our team can arrange a suitable time for you and your Facilitator to connect and revisit the course learnings you may have missed, if required. This ensures you can pick up where you left off at any point during the course.
You are also encouraged to reach out to your peer groups for additional support. For direct enquiries, you can contact our team using the web form: https://tearawai.twoa.ac.nz/contact-us
Contact or Support Information
Te Arawai | Partnerships Team:
Please use our contact form to contact us: https://tearawai.twoa.ac.nz/contact-us.
Call Centre Hours: Between the hours of 8am – 5pm NZDT.
NZ Free Phone: 0800 355 553.