NZ Opera
Ngā mihi nui!
This was a beautiful experience and such a rewarding day. Wairangi is an absolute expert - every detail so well managed and delivered and for a team with varied experience and confidence. Wairangi was masterful in taking everyone through important learning in a varied, well-considered, and expertly paced day. Staff have commented on how much this was valued and appreciated. The learning is so important on its own, but to have ways to also immediately connect this learning to our day-to-day operations and life was deeply appreciated. I would recommend all workplaces undertaking this important professional development with their teams.
Ngā mihi nui.
NZ Opera
Fire and Emergency
Matua Thomas, Nga Mihi Nui. You are an outstanding teacher, your approach is supportive, gentle but most importantly I felt safe, apart from when you video (ha ha ha) . I am so proud to have completed the course and now have the confidence to step forward and lead the embedding of Te Ao Maori into our people practices for the organisation. My journey is only just beginning but I feel better placed for having completed the Tutiramai Course.
A great course and really enjoyed how it connected different parts of FENZ together. Having people from all around the country, volunteers, and people from different directorates was definitely a strength. The two kaiako complemented each other creating a space where we could grow, but not taking away the tikanga, not 'pakehafying' the course. I especially liked the focus on waiata as this is an area a lot of other courses don't emphasis which then helps allow people to think that it is not as important as other aspects of the culture.
It was definitely a course that pushed you but in a encouraging and empowering way and gave all participants a need to awhi and tautoko each other, it was very humbling and a privilege to be a part of that journey but also the first step like the poutama- auahatanga striving for excellence all the time, Ngā mihi ki a kōrua a Wairangi raua ko Thomas, you are both an awesome duo and compliment each other.
I personally feel the wananga was extremely beneficial for my own personal learning. The culmination of the years’ work all came together on the day, and I was able to piece the puzzle together. I was impressed by the supportive and inclusive approach which helped to reduce the apprehensions I had.
Fire and Emergency
ASB Bank
The Haka class was amazing, this was the first time for me performing the haka even though I have been in NZ since 2005. this was an incredible session, I was able to understand the different type of Haka, the meaning of Haka, the way to sit or stand and the gesture
Purpose and history well explained. Whilst I had performed this at primary school no one had really explained the purpose. Thank you
I loved how a lot of the session was designed around the participants knowledge and getting us to practice. While at a casual glance it could have seemed very adhoc it became clear that every further move in the workshop was very carefully considered. It was really good to build upon shared knowledge of participants, and include all of us. While it wasn't exactly what I expected, I found it to be one of the most valuable workshops at the Festival of Progress, and it really made me think.
Festival of Progress | ASB
Grace Hospital
My word! Everyone is buzzing about yesterday! Already I’ve been greeted in the corridor with staff using te reo, and one of the staff told me this morning that she was admitting a Maori patient and asked her where she was from and they came from the same town! She then went on to ask if the patient wanted to have a karakia with her whanau (they had already had one!). She wouldn’t have done that if not for the confidence that yesterday instilled in her.
I think this patient will have a great outcome from surgery, as the relationship building that happened pre-op will have set the patient in a safe place.
So a big thanks to you and Wairangi, I trust that the feedback received so far has been excellent.
Ngā mihi nui
Janet Keys | Grace Hospital
Ministry for Primary Industry Farm Advisors - Christchurch
The initiative that I have started in my workplace is that I begin all my conversations and emails with greetings in Te Reo Māori – I even used the mihi you taught us to introduce myself at a community event last week, and was happy to realise I remembered it all. I have also joined the weekly waiata group in my office in the hope it will help improve my pronunciation. Today we have an induction event for all new staff to the organisation, and the waiata group will be singing a number of songs as a welcome to everyone 😊
Thank you for the photos and videos – it’s great to have these memories of such a wonderful day. Thank you also for hosting us – I will remember the wānanga fondly.
Ngā mihi
Genevieve Steven | MPI Farm Advisors
Two initiatives in my workplace;
I spoke with the group internally who are developing our strategy for how we can better incorporate Te Ao Maori principles into our workplace, to let them know about the program and that it was excellent!
I also had a radio interview on Wednesday morning on The Country - so I made sure I said kia ora instead of hello. A small change I know, but small steps add up
Kā manaakitaka,
Freya Moore | MPI Farm Advisors
Whakawhetai ki a koe mo te korerorero
Thank you for the conversation
Thank you for your time and learnings. For an uninitiated person in the maori culture it can be intimidating to step onto a marae and into the Maoridom space. We know that they are special places to you. You teams humour and acceptance of our shortcomings helps.
For ourselves one the changes we are making in our business is not directly related to Maori but we want to include Maries culture (German) into our workspace some more. I think just the awareness of how your culture values traditions and connections and people is something we will include. The key takeout for the day for me is that building genuine relationships based on acquaintance and shared interests vs need. My business partner (who unfortunately could not come to the Marae) is part Maori and he is always careful not to brownwash our interactions so the understanding provided from your day helps.
I recently stayed in Te tai Tokarau at Taipa and travelling and walking around the township and district the maori culture and presence is so much more prominent there than here in Canterbury.
Nga Mihi
Paul Reese | MPI Farm Advisors
Ministry of Education
I like that Wairangi clearly has high expectations of us (and gives us a good mix of tough love and acknowledgement of things well done). I like that we have two Pou Ārahi, with different ways of seeing the world, because I think it means we can reach more people that way. I like the approach to learning by doing – I know that doesn’t happen all the time, but it happens enough, and it’s a good way of getting people engaged. Not that we would expect any different given both Wairangi and Te Arani are highly skilled educators.
Marie France | Ministry of Education
The time spent with our Pou Ārahi was so valuable and inspiring. We are so fortunate to have had this opportunity to be coached and receive encouragement with improving our cultural capability. I feel that we have all come such a long way in this journey, and are now so much better equipped as leaders to continue the cultural capability journey with our teams. I feel so grateful to have had this time with our Pou Ārahi.
Stefanie Joe | Ministry of Education
They challenged us - in a very kind and friendly way and with good humour - to grow our abilities and take on new practices. Learning the karakia off by heart was hard work but we felt proud of our accomplishment and understood the importance of learning it off by heart and saying it with meaning, and that dedicating ourselves to this task was an important demonstration of our respect for Te Ao Maori. They gave us courage and confidence that we will take with us. Finally, we wanted to say thank you the support they give us at the signing of the pay equity settlement agreement for the Kaiārahi i te reo Pay Equity Claim.
Poipoia e te kākano kia puāwai | Nurture the seed and it will bloom.
Sarah Martin and the Pay Equity team | Ministry of Education
Chow Hill
Kia Ora Tūtira Mai Team,
I wanted to pass on our thanks again for facilitating such a special day at Te Puia.
It’s been a fairly intense year for many of our team and to see everyone so energised yesterday, and to hear the kōreo continue in the Studio this morning is incredibly inspiring.
Listening to some of the feedback I can see yesterday’s wānanga has played a powerful role in bringing the earlier on-line learning to life and providing renewed purpose and motivation across the team to continue the journey the new year. Purpose and motivation that is now owned by our team rather than just Maurice and I – which is super exciting!
Following the wānanga some of my whai whakaaro has included how we further describe/flesh out the key behaviors of kaitiakitanga on our projects and in our studios - so we can easily identify and positively reinforce them when we see them in action across our teams.
It’s also left me with a heightened awareness of carefully investing time in ‘both sides’ of the mahi associated with early project preparation i.e not only gathering and organising your skills, team, and services BUT spending the time to research your prospective client’s context, values, environment, and history. Having enough prior knowledge to begin a conversation authentically founded on some early shared awareness.
Drawing reference from yesterday I know a lot of our team had spent time trying to learn waiata (though definite room for improvement!) and karakia, and reading through marae tikanga to help upskill ourselves BUT as Wairangi queried I’m unsure how many paused to look outwards, to research Te Puia, the place, the people etc...before we arrived. Believe this will be a powerful reference for many moving forward…
..Just some very initial thoughts that may help inform our conversations and future wānanga in the new year.
However, most importantly for now, wishing you all a fantastic and very relaxing break (which hopefully starts soon!) and a wonderful holiday season with friends and whānau.
Meri Kirihimete
Jane Hill | Chow Hill
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Kia ora Wairangi
Firstly, thank you so much for your kind words. We owe you and your team a huge debt for the journey you have taken us on – and the progress we have made.
Last week’s event feels like a defining moment in our time as a group – we can now really build upon those strong foundations – as one of our team said “we can live on the bridge”.
My task now is to maintain that sense of cohesion and commitment to this cause across our group and continue to nurture it.
Thanks again for all that you and your team have done.
Noho ora mai,
Suzanne Stew | MBIE
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Kia ora koutou, nau mai ki tenei Rāmere. Greetings and Happy FriYAY.
“As more non-Māori are learning te reo Māori, and there is an increased desire to understand Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) CAANZ are currently delivering a 5 part online workshop, designed to give you the confidence and knowledge on how to engage and conduct yourself when meeting or working with Māori.
As a Māori women working within the profession and industry for over 15 years I was raised with the understanding of Te Ao Māori and learnt Te Reo at school, and I have enrolled on the course and undertaken 3 of the 5 workshops. The purpose was to support the delivery of such a course but also to support 7 of our senior staff members in their journey of gaining an understanding of the Māori world.
The added benefit is that the workshop has also given me the opportunity to learn about others in our workshop, and reminded me of the core values: including to respect each other (whakaute), the importance of listening (whakarongo), and acknowledgement of those in your presence (mihimihi).
I just want to thank our facilitator Moana Whatarau from Tūtira Mai NZ for making it enjoyable and interactive and a big shout out to the Silks Audit Chatered Accountants Ltd staff on the course.”
Talia Anderson | CAANZ
“Kia ora, I just wanted to pass on my thanks to Moana for leading us through the on-line Te Reo course "Building Knowledge: Tikanga, Cultural Leadership and the Workplace" for CAANZ. A great learning course by an excellent tutor.
I was unable to make the last two sessions, but did subsequently complete them both through the video recording.”Nga mihi,
Michael Crawford | CAANZ
Kua harikoa ahau! So happy after much work in the background to have delivered the CAANZ Hawke's Bay Tikanga wānanga on Tuesday at Pukemokimoki marae. Participants learnt about whānaungatanga and manaakitanga in te ao Māori and how we can take tikanga from the marae and bring it in to our work. What does a karanga and hongi look like at your workplace? Ngā mihi to all who came and shared and to our amazing facilitator and leader Wairangi Jones! Next stop Hamilton, you guys are in for a treat! #charteredaccountants #hawkesbay #tikanga
Ngā mihi,
Tertia Whitcombe | CAANZ
Hohepa Hawke’s Bay
Kia Ora Tūtira Mai NZ.
He ra tino whakamataku matou. We embarked on a journey to understand, identify and develop key cultural values, learning Te Reo Māori and Tikanga to create and foster positive relationships with Māori communities, whānau and iwi.
Hohepa Hawkes Bay
Royal Australasian College of Physicians
We had a team of about 20 staff many who had little or no understanding of Tikanga, Te Ao Māori values let alone Te Reo Māori. By the end of the 3 hour session we had all been introduced and brought out of our comfort zone to hongi, learn the art of weaving back and forth with whakawhanaungatanga, learning a karakia with actions and waiata.
We now have access to resources to help reinforce the learning with sound bites to help with pronunciation. When it comes to tikanga and Te Reo we have a real variance of experience, with more who are less confident with progressing into this realm even though it is a strategic priority and the organisation has made a really positive commitment around policy and resourcing to prioritise and embed into our daily mahi.
The thing that surprised many of the staff was how much knowledge they retained and how much fun they had doing the session. For those who are more familiar with this territory being able to learn a karakia, waiata, and Some basic tikanga within 3 hours, might seem a simple exercise, but when you have people who are naturally shy put in a position of being really vulnerable and exposed in front of peers and managers and learn something in a different language and culture is no mean feat.
Real success is measured on them coming out of that session feeling like it was great, worthwhile and fun. Since then we have employed a kaitohutohu Ahurea (strategic cultural adviser) and we have carried out a few mihi whakatau. It will always be a work in progress but sessions of semi - immersion into a different culture definitely provide a super boost to progress and learning if you are trying to embed and weave into daily workflow.
Paula | RACP
Tuatahi Fast Fibre
Talofa Wairangi,
Firstly we want to say a huge thank you from us to you for all your guidance and assistance thus far. Our mission to connect our people to Tautahi and the beautiful story that is now ours, was a huge success on Friday. I can hand on my heart say that it was the most engaging ALL staff online hui ever, the energy and the aroha that surrounded us that day was beautiful.
Tara did an amazing job of course, and there was not a dry eye in the house. I am so proud of what we achieved with your kind direction, but mostly I’m proud that our people felt the connection on Friday and from there we knew that every single person that works for Tuatahi can proudly say their new name and who they work for.
Thank you again Wairangi for your work so far, ngā mihi,
Nise | Tuatahi First Fibre
Trust Power
We wanted to let you know about some positive feedback Lisa and I received regarding the work you have been doing with us. The feedback was from Ngamanawa who were very complimentary about your professionalism in terms of managing the line between being a consultant for Trustpower, while still maintain your integrity of seeking the best outcomes for te ao Māori, Trustpower, and Ngamanawa. I think this is fantastic feedback, this is so important to be able to build trust between us, Ngamanawa, and the other iwi and hapu we engage with.
Tim also mentioned how he has enjoyed working with the two of you over the last few months and even noted how he, and Ngamanawa, have learned a lot from the both of you. This sentiment is certainly shared by us at Manawa Energy!
Ka mau te wehi!
Ngā mihi,
Nā Ryan | Trust Power
The University of Waikato
Tēnā koutou katoa,
We have just had the great pleasure of participating in a workshop provided by Wairangi Jones for the graduate students and staff in our clinical psychology training programme. Matua Jones was warm and approachable, and immediately got the group actively involved, interacting and learning some basic tikanga, as well as understanding the meaning beneath the tikanga and applying it to our particular needs and roles. The workshop was well structured and conducted, and left us with some specific learnings (e.g. the meaning and proper conduct of hongi, practice with a waere appropriate to many occasions, and korero on storytelling as a way to facilitate connection), as well as a wish for further learning and the confidence to seek out similar experiences.
It is clear that Wairangi Jones has deep and broad experience in guiding tauira, and we would recommend his workshop highly.
Carol Cornsweet Barber | University of Waikato