About He Tukutuku Koiora
He Tukutuku Koiora is a tikanga-led, future-focused Māori governance programme that provides a pathway to accelerate talented Māori professionals into tomorrow’s governance leadership roles.
The two-and-a-half-year programme encompasses both online and in-person learning modules, manaaki support and mentoring, and a capstone 18-month associate directorship placement.
Through a supportive learning environment that’s embedded in tikanga Māori, the programme aims to grow the next generation of future Māori leaders and strengthen their leadership skillset so that they are resilient, capable, connected, critically minded, and forward-thinking in their approach.
With the increasing demand for values-based leadership, He Tukutuku Koiora ensures our next wave of Māori governance practitioners have the expertise, guidance, and support to be effective governors and leaders of tomorrow.
As amonuku (Associate Directors) complete the programme, they will join Te Pūtea Whakatupu’s growing alumni network and form the largest cohort of Māori professionals in leadership and governance roles within Aotearoa.
Please note, applications for our Amonuku (Associate Directors) and expressions of interest for host board organisations are now closed, join the pānui list to be notified of future intakes.
Whaiwhakaaro
“We all come from different paths, but we all realise that being a part of this kaupapa is more about giving back to the communities that we are involved in. Having that service lens and giving is really important and I think we will all take that into our leadership styles going forward”
“He Tuktutuku Koiora will ensure our next wave of Māori governance practitioners have the opportunity, guidance, and support to be effective leaders of tomorrow.”
“Often I find I’m ‘Te Māori’ and often the sole Māori perspective on governance boards, so I’d really love to see that change”
“They (amonuku) can call on us if we’re required in any way, to either support them in the development of their governance expertise or connect them with others that we know across the country that could be additional mentors, supervisors, or supporters – they all receive multiple ‘cheerleaders’ across the country”
“We are in really small groups, so we have gotten to know each other quite quickly and at quite a deep level that you wouldn’t necessarily get if it was a larger group. This means there is more space for us to participate and to feel part of the group”
“A lot of societal change happens through governance, and so for me, one of the key pieces that have driven me in this path is discovering my heritage in te ao Māori and my whakapapa”
“This programme is part of a puna that everyone can go back to over and over again. It’s not just for us, but for ngā uri e haere mai nei”
“We know that what is good for Māori, is good for all of Aotearoa, so I would like to represent a Māori lens in supporting our larger entities across Aotearoa to really anchor the strengths of te ao Māori into the way that they operate their organisations.”
Meet our amonuku
We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for the programme, with over 100 candidates applying from across the motu. Our selection panel had a tough time selecting only eight available spaces – nō mātou te hōnore. However, after much deliberation, we are pleased to welcome our first wave of exceptional Māori talent into the programme.
Nau mai, haere mai ki a Hinurewa Poutu, Kale Panoho, Emma Winiata, Teaho Pihama, Joanne Reidy, Jesse Pirini, Peata Williams, and Ernestynne Walsh who form the inaugural cohort of Amonuku – our associate directors. We are delighted to welcome you into the programme and tautoko your journey into leadership.
Our host boards
We are proud to be partnered with the following organisations who share our vision for succession and have welcomed our Amonuku as Associate Directors on their boards, providing a safe and supportive environment so that they can grow and flourish.
Programme overview
He Tukutuku Koiora is a two-and-a-half-year programme that is split into the following four modules:
Module one overview
This first module will focus on unpacking and understanding the practice of values-based governance and leadership, engaging in the evolving perspectives on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and supporting participants in their Te Reo and mātauranga Māori journey.
- Values-based governance: Fostering a kaupapa Māori approach to governance grounded in values-based leadership.
- Cultural intelligence and capability: Building cultural intelligence through te reo and mātauranga Māori.
- The role of Te Tiriti: Learning to walk in two worlds and acknowledging the evolution of Te Tiriti and its place as a living document.
- The reality of governance: Expectations versus reality. How do we navigate Pākeha and Māori boards? Preparing for all situations.
Module two overview
This module helps to find your voice as a governor and to build the confidence required to contribute effectively to a board.
- Identifying your unique strengths and qualities: We explore what value you bring to a board while drawing on your personal experiences to develop a strengths-based and confident approach to leadership.
- Communication as influence: Develop confidence and clarity in your communication skills while maintaining empathy and understanding through active listening.
- Politics and persuasion: Understand the nature and importance of politics in governance while mastering the art of persuasion. Help build a case for change and gain readiness for conflict resolution.
- Health and wellbeing: We focus on hauora to apply a holistic approach to support your physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being.
Module three overview
Understanding the details and mechanics of how a board works is critically important. In this module, we focus on governance 101 and explore board structure, strategy, risk, and responsibilities.
- Governance foundations: Understand how a board is structured, the mechanics of meetings, and board dynamics, roles and responsibilities.
- Financial literacy: learn to oversee financial information and processes and how to ask the right questions to hold an organisation to account on behalf of its stakeholders.
- Strategy and the board: Learn about strategic decision-making, how to provide both input and insight and how to measure and track progress.
- Understanding and managing risk: Understand all aspects of risk and accountability including, financial literacy, human resource management, and health and safety.
Module four overview
This module includes an 18-month Associate Directorship placement within a board in Aotearoa. Drawing on preceding modules, this module is where you can put into practice your strengthened leadership skills and expertise in a real-life governance environment.
- Onboarding: As part of the onboarding experience you will be inducted into your host organisation’s board and take part in a hekenga that explores your host organisation’s whakapapa and history.
- Business context and structures: Learn about your host organisation’s structure and company operations.
- Whakapapa and Te Kumete Kōrero: Hear kōrero from previous leaders from your host board and other organisations in a wānanga setting.
- Rūmaki: Build long-term connections with your host organisation’s leadership team, other amonuku (associate directors), pūlenga (delivery mentors), and kaikōrero at the National Māori in Governance Summit.
Programme timeline
He Tukutuku Koiora is a two-and-a-half-year programme that will launch in April 2023 and conclude in November 2025. The programme is delivered via a hybrid model of both online learning through our purpose-built e-learning platform, and in-person hui and wānanga.
We ask that all applicants ensure they are available to participate in all hui both in-person and online throughout the programme.
Module one: A Māori Approach to governance (YEAR ONE)
| Module one content | Delivery form | Date of delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Values-based governance | In-person wānanga (Auckland) and online learning | April 2023 |
| Cultural intelligence and capability | Weekly hui topa and online learning modules | May – June 2023 |
| The role of Te Tiriti | Fortnightly hui topa and online learning modules | July – August 2023 |
| The reality of governance | Self-directed online learning | September – October 2023 |
Module two: You as a leader and governor (YEAR ONE)
| Module two content | Delivery form | Date of delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Identifying your unique qualities and strengths | Self-directed online learning and one-on-one online sessions | October – November 2023 |
| Communication as influence | Online learning and in-person wānanga | November 2023 |
| Politics and persuasion | Self-directed online learning | May – July 2024 |
| Health and wellbeing | 2-day noho, location TBC | March 2024 |
Module three: The role of a board in governance (Ongoing throughout YEAR ONE and YEAR TWO)
| Module three content | Delivery form | Date of delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Governance foundations | One day in-person wānanga and online learning | November 2023 |
| Financial literacy | One day in-person wānanga and online learning | July 2024 |
| Understanding and managing risk | One day in-person wānanga and online learning | TBC |
| Strategy and the board | One day in-person wānanga and online learning | TBC |
Module four: Organisational whakapapa and hekenga (YEAR TWO and YEAR THREE)
| Module four content | Delivery form | Date of delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding | TBD | April 2024 |
| Business context and structures | TBD | April 2024 |
| Whakapapa and Te Kumete Kōrero | TBD | April 2024 |
| Whānaungatanga | In-person attendance at Māori in Governance Summit 2024 and post-placement wānanga | July 2024 (Summit) and November 2025 (wānanga) |
Frequently asked pātai for Amonuku
Frequently asked pātai for Host Boards
Our pūkenga
We have partnered with leading practitioners and providers within the governance sector to deliver content that is up-to-date, forward thinking, and embedded in mātauranga and tikanga Māori.
