Leadership Through Learning is a free leadership and personal development programme for Māori and Pacific tauira across all levels of studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau. We explore leadership through Māori and Pacific perspectives, run by alumni graduates of the programme under Te Tumu Herenga – Libraries and Learning services. Our programme focuses on helping our tauira lead, empower and transform.
Margaret Kiely | Completed Leadership Through Learning Semester One, 2022
‘I did Leadership Through Learning at the start of 2022, and I will always speak with love for this programme. Coming from a predominantly white high school, I hadn’t had a whole heap of opportunities to experience the sense of belonging and māfana that I found in Leadership Through Learning. I had felt it when taking part in Polyfest on the Samoan stage, I had felt it during UniBound in the summer before first year, and I was looking for it again in second year, so I decided to take up my mentor Ronnie’s recommendation and signed up.’
‘The Leadership Through Learning team and those in my cohort were welcoming and generous. I looked forward to coming together each week to share space about culture, identity, and wellbeing. I have learnt not to take for granted opportunities like this. Opportunities where I get to take intentional time to reflect, kōrero, and be nurtured in my personal growth by a loving community. The fact that I felt such a deep sense of connection over Zoom is a testament to how good Leadership Through Learning and the team there are.’
‘It was such a diverse and affirming environment – I got to connect with people of different ages, backgrounds, and stages in their cultural and personal journeys. This connection and affirmation really culminated at the end of the programme where we each presented our vision boards. It was a pretty cathartic experience creating and sharing mine. It prompted me to set aside time to honour and reflect on my identity journey. And this was the case throughout the whole programme – I cannot recommend it enough. I learnt so much from the facilitators, my peers, and myself during my time in Leadership Through Learning. Huge tautoko to the team and everyone who makes it such a special space at UoA! Fa’afetai tele lava.’
Veronika Iloilo | Programme Lead
‘I remember receiving an email to apply for Leadership Through Learning. I was nervous, and that voice inside my head told me not to go in and stay in my comfort zone. I am proud I ignored those thoughts and my imposter syndrome.’
‘Leadership Through Learning has taught me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and be confident. Connecting with inspiring Māori and Pacific tauira across all faculties and degrees, sharing our experiences and being vulnerable. My facilitators were inspiring, making us feel heard and encouraging me to stand in my mana.’
‘Now, as a staff member of this programme, I am privileged to give back to our tauira and ensure I provide safe and brave spaces for our students to feel supported. At the end of our programme, our students present their vision boards on their leadership journey. I get a sense of māfana witnessing our student’s vulnerability, and I am in continuous awe at how powerful our Māori and Pacific tauira are!’
Join our Programme
Leadership Through Learning runs over 12 weeks as one hour per week sessions and a full day Wānanga during mid-semester break and an end of the semester graduation. Our programme caters to the needs of our Māori and Pacific tauira. We explore, discuss and share about leadership and its impacts on our studies and those around us.
Our programme is currently based in the City Campus and offers online streams catered to students from our other campuses and those on practicum. However, in 2024, we will be launching Leadership Through Learning Online.
Our new online course will be launching in 2024! This online course will run alongside our current programme with all new content. Leadership Through Learning Online will run a six week course with a combined wānanga with our current programme. If you want a little taste of what Leadership Through Learning offers, prefer online – this would be a fantastic opportunity to take leadership to the next level.
Both courses are a recognised path toward the Distinguished Graduate Award, so if you are a Māori and/or Pacific student and are interested in a free leadership programme that provides a culturally safe space where we build community together and are transformed as a result?
Please register your interest at www.auckland.ac.nz/leadershipthroughlearning or email ltl@auckland.ac.nz.
Leadership Through Learning Team 2023
Keiana Arona, Lana Kiddie-Vai, Star Rawiri & Te Hau Theodore Baker-Jones – Learning Assistants
Veronika Iloilo – Programme Lead
Darlene Cameron – Team Leader | Abigail McClutchie – Programme Founder
