We are very excited to announce that one of our Ministries, Te Waipuna Puawai are going to run a 6-week webinar series for us called “Ngā Puna o te Māramatanga – Wellsprings of Understanding”. The sessions will be on a Monday beginning on the 16th February from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, running every Monday until 23rd March.
WMM is funding this course for no charge to participants. Participants will have to register and answer some questions at this link. After registration you will be sent an email with the teams meeting details and a calendar invite. This course is valued at 9 cpd.
| Date | Component | Focus |
| 16th February 2026 | Te Ao Māori Part 1 | Foundations and Worldview |
| 23rd February 2026 | Te Ao Māori Part 2 | Applied leadership and cultural safety |
| 2nd March 2026 | Tikanga Māori Part 1 | Understanding tikanga and kawa |
| 9th March 2026 | Tikanga Māori Part 2 | Embedding tikanga in leadership practice |
| 16th March 2026 | Te Reo Māori Part 1 | Practical reo for everyday use |
| 23rd March 2026 | Te Reo Māori Part 2 | Te reo in governance, mihi and identity |
Week one: Te Ao Māori (Part 1): Foundations & Worldview
This session introduces directors and board members to Te Ao Māori and the values that shape Māori ways of being, relating, and leading. Participants will explore key concepts such as whakapapa, mana, mauri, tapu, wairua, and whenua, and reflect on how these align with Mercy values using Te Waipuna Puawai’s work with whānau as an example. The session invites leaders to ground their governance in relationships, humility, and cultural understanding.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understand core Māori worldview concepts.
• Connect Māori values with Mercy values and TWP practice.
Session Outline:
Session Outline:
• Karakia & whakawhanaungatanga
• Te Ao Māori concepts
• Values mapping
• Leadership reflection
Week 2: Te Ao Māori (Part 2): Applied Leadership
Building on foundational knowledge, this session focuses on applying Te Ao Māori to leadership and governance practice. Participants will explore what culturally safe leadership looks like in real decision-making, using case studies from TWP’s community work. The session encourages leaders to reflect on presence, responsibility, and how their actions can enhance the mana of staff, whānau, and communities.
Learning Outcomes:
• Apply worldview to governance decisions.
• Understand cultural safety.
Session Outline:
• Case studies
• Scenario workshop
• Leadership intentions
Week 3: Tikanga (Part 1): Understanding Tikanga
This session introduces tikanga Māori as a living framework that guides respectful behaviour, processes, and relationships. Directors and Board members will learn the difference between tikanga and kawa, and why tikanga is essential for trust, safety, and integrity when engaging with Māori communities. Practical examples from meetings, events, and community engagement will help demystify tikanga in everyday leadership contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understand tikanga and kawa.
• Identify tikanga in governance.
Session Outline:
• Tikanga teaching
• Demonstrations
• Group reflection
Week 4: Tikanga (Part 2): Embedding Tikanga
Moving from understanding to action, this session focuses on embedding tikanga into organisational and governance practice. Participants will work together to identify how tikanga can shape decision-making, relationships, and leadership culture within Whānau Mercy Ministries. Using TWP examples, leaders will reflect on how to live values authentically and avoid tokenism while honouring mana and whanaungatanga.
Learning Outcomes:
• Integrate tikanga into leadership.
• Develop a Tikanga Practice Guide.
Session Outline:
• Governance application
• Workshop
• Reflection
Week 5: Te Reo Māori (Part 1): Everyday Reo
This session supports leaders to build confidence and comfort with Te Reo Māori in everyday settings. Participants will learn correct pronunciation, basic greetings, acknowledgements, and commonly used phrases for meetings and communications. The focus is on practical, accessible reo that can be used immediately to support inclusion, respect, and visibility of Māori language within leadership spaces.
Learning Outcomes:
• Build confidence in basic reo.
• Use reo in meetings.
Session Outline:
• Pronunciation
• Everyday phrases
• Practice
Week 6: Te Reo Māori (Part 2): Reo in Governance
The final session deepens the use of Te Reo Māori in formal leadership and governance contexts. Participants will learn how to prepare and deliver a simple mihi or pepeha and explore how reo can be embedded into Whānau Mercy Ministries’ identity, communications, and Board practice. The session concludes with reflection and commitment to ongoing learning, ensuring Te Reo Māori is carried forward with care and integrity.
Learning Outcomes:
• Deliver a mihi or pepeha.
• Embed reo into WMM identity.
Session Outline:
• Mihi workshop
• Participant sharing
• Integration planning