Tēnā koutou,

I trust this message finds you well.

I am writing to invite Te Kahu o Taonui to partner with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in the delivery of the Manu Tāiko – Toro Parirau (Level 4) Māori Governance Programme, which we are preparing to deliver in Tai Tokerau. This programme has been intentionally positioned to support those already involved in iwi, hapū, and marae governance, with a specific focus on strengthening how we collectively manage Māori assets.

This programme is not designed as a leadership course or a general form of professional development. Rather, its purpose is to strengthen our governance pipeline particularly in collective asset governance by supporting those already operating within governance spaces to deepen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities, and to enhance how decisions are made over whenua, pūtea, and taonga. A key focus of the programme is the application of Te Ao Māori values and principles within governance practice, ensuring that decision-making remains grounded in tikanga and aligned with iwi aspirations.

Across our iwi and hapū, many of our people are already carrying significant governance responsibilities. They are making decisions that have long-term implications for our people, our whenua, and our future generations. However, much of this knowledge has been developed through experience, without the benefit of a formal qualification that is specifically grounded in Māori governance frameworks. This programme provides an opportunity to strengthen that existing capability by building a clearer understanding of governance functions, strengthening decision-making, and developing a more intentional approach to managing collective assets.

Through this programme, ākonga will deepen their understanding of governance roles and responsibilities, strengthen their ability to apply principles such as kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga, kotahitanga, and whakapapa in governance contexts, and build confidence to contribute effectively at the governance table. The programme also supports participants to navigate the balance between Māori and Western governance expectations, which is an increasingly important aspect of managing iwi and organisational assets.

We are approaching this delivery through a partnership model with iwi, to ensure that the programme remains relevant, contextualised, and responsive to real governance environments. As part of this approach, we are inviting Te Kahu o Taonui to nominate between current or emerging governors, such as trustees, committee members, or those involved in managing collective assets, to participate in this NZQA-approved Level 4 qualification. Approximately eighty percent of the cohort will be drawn from iwi partnerships, with the remaining places offered to targeted marae and community governance groups.  This course has no financial cost.

For iwi, this presents an opportunity to strengthen existing governance capability, support succession planning by developing emerging governors, and improve decision-making processes that are aligned with iwi values and long-term aspirations. It also contributes to reducing governance risk through stronger understanding and practice, while building a pipeline of capable and qualified governors grounded in Te Ao Māori.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is committed to strengthening partnerships with hapū and iwi and advancing their social, cultural, environmental, and economic aspirations. As a result, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa ensures that learning is directly relevant to whānau, hapū, and iwi contexts.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your board to provide a brief overview of the programme and to discuss how this could support your current governance priorities. Please let me know a suitable time to kōrero further.

Ultimately, this programme is about strengthening how we govern and manage our collective Māori assets, ensuring that the decisions we make honour our whakapapa, uphold our responsibilities, and deliver outcomes that benefit our people now and into the future.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dr Fiona McGrath
Kaiako – Manu Tāiko Māori Governance Programme
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Waea: 02102837345Imera: fiona.mcgrath@twoa.ac.nz