Professional Cultural Development - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Enquire

Piharoa

Executive Leadership Development​

Set a new course for your organisation - and for Aotearoa.

Piharoa is your opportunity to lead with vision, courage, and cultural intelligence. Designed for senior leaders and governance teams with little or no knowledge of te ao Māori, 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. This is where true leadership begins.

What You'll Gain

Cultural capability for:

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 through principles like manaakitanga and kotahitanga. These practices strengthen your credibility and 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 te reo Māori signals respect and commitment. This builds trust, strengthens relationships, and shows your organisation’s dedication to meaningful engagement.​

Pepeha - Introductions in Te Reo Māori​

Crafting and sharing your pepeha affirms your identity and values. It sets a tone of humility, openness, and connection in every leadership setting.​


Pōwhiri & 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.​

Upcoming Events

Where and When

Please contact us to be notified of future workshops.

Course structure

Experience immersive, practical learning with facilitator-led sessions.

3 days total:​

  • 1 x two-day workshops (in-person)​
  • 2 x half-day workshops (online)

Costs

  • $3,500 + GST per person​
  • Catering and resources included​
  • Group discounts available

Facilitators

Olive (Olly) Jonas
Tumu Whakarae | Director, Kāhui Whenua Services Ltd

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
Mātanga Hāpai | Consulting SME

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”.

All Courses

Piharoa

Executive Leadership Development

Piharoa is a professional development journey for senior leadership and governance teams. Build more impactful partnerships with Māori communities through cultural knowledge. These principles support your customers, enrich your brand and expand your connections.

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Te Ata Pō

Organisation-Wide Cultural Development

Te Ata Pō is an introductory programme designed to build confidence and understanding in te reo Māori across your workforce. Equip your team with foundational knowledge that strengthens relationships, supports inclusion, and demonstrates your commitment to a thriving, bicultural Aotearoa.

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Te Ata Māhina

Organisation-Wide Cultural Development

Te Ata Māhina builds on the foundations of Te Ata Pō, advancing your team’s capability in te reo Māori, tikanga, and cultural engagement. Develop deeper confidence to participate in Māori-led spaces, enhance cultural intelligence across your organisation, and embed practices that reflect authentic partnership.

Learn More

Interested in Piharoa?

ASK A QUESTION

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Piharoa is a three-day executive leadership programme designed to develop cultural leadership grounded in te ao Māori. Piharoa blends cultural practices, values-based leadership development, and strategy sessions to strengthen personal and professional impact.
Piharoa is for current and emerging leaders who want to deepen their cultural leadership capability.
Participants will:
  • Gain insight into tirohanga Māori (the Māori worldview) and values-based leadership.
  • Learn tikanga (protocols) and reo Māori basics to engage respectfully and confidently.
  • Understand pōwhiri and whakatau protocols (formal proceedings) to represent their organisations appropriately.
  • Explore iwi pūrākau (stories) that deepen cultural connection and awareness.
  • Strengthen skills in engaging with Māori stakeholders and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Piharoa is delivered in a blended format:
  • Two-day immersive workshop
  • Two online sessions (three hours/session)
  • Total duration: Three-days
Locations vary across Aotearoa, with current venues in Hamilton, Auckland, and Rotorua at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa campuses. Venue details are provided upon enrolment.
Programme fees $3,500.00 + GST. This includes learning resources and catering. Bulk enrolments and organisational packages are available on request.
Piharoa is a non-EFTS professional development programme delivered by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. While it is not NZQA-accredited, it is underpinned by the expertise and credibility of a nationally respected tertiary provider.
Yes. All participants who complete the programme receive a Piharoa Certificate of Completion, recognising their leadership development and commitment to cultural growth.
No. You do not need prior knowledge of reo or tikanga Māori. The programme meets participants wherever they are on their journey, but openness and respect for kaupapa Māori practices are essential.
Our facilitators are experienced Māori leaders, strategists, cultural experts, and educators with deep sector knowledge. They create a safe, inspiring, and challenging space for transformational learning.
Register your interest or go to: https://pcd.twoa.ac.nz/piharoa. Cohorts are limited and places are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is highly recommended.
Yes. We offer tailored delivery for organisations, agencies, and iwi. Customised programmes can focus on sector-specific leadership goals or kaupapa. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Piharoa cohorts are purposely small (typically 10–15 participants) to ensure meaningful engagement, whakawhanaungatanga, and impactful learning.
Participants should expect some online engagement (e.g., reading, reflection, or kōrero) before and after the wānanga. This is designed to maximise in-person learning and support ongoing development.
Please let us know about any specific needs when you enrol. We are committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all participants.
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