Skip Content
P1240187

Your iwi could be in Treaty negotiations or progressing through its post-settlement phase.

Or you could be considering standing for your hapū trust board, or perhaps a community group.

Whatever your aspirations, the Diploma in Māori Governance and Leadership will help you gain the required skill set to ensure what's best for your whānau, hapū and iwi.

Mārama Henare-Waho, who teaches the fulltime, 36-week programme at Te Kuiti's Maniapoto campus says all organisations require strong governance and leadership to ensure their sustainability and returns for their stakeholders.

But for Māori entities, the obligations are often greater.

“We have to consider not only our people but things like our land and language and kura (schools) as our taonga tuku iho (legacy) that we are caretakers of for our future generations,” says Ms Henare-Waho.

“We must also consider whakapapa (genealogy) and whānaungatanga (familial ties). So there’s a long-term affiliation in the way we think that’s different to other entities.”

“For us, the economic and the environmental aspects are important but there’s also an expectation that whatever activity we generate will have cultural and social benefits for our communities -  in fact, it’s almost obligatory.”

As a former law lecturer at the University of Waikato, with experience working for the Māori Land Court and Waitangi Tribunal, Ms Henare-Waho has an innate understanding of the mechanics of Māori governance and leadership.

The programme, which is also run in Rotorua and Gisborne, is aimed not only at serving marae or iwi trustees but anyone considering involvement in whānau, hapū or iwi infrastructure.

It covers trustee responsibilities, kaitiakitanga (guardianship), financial and strategic planning, asset management, leadership and communication.

“It gives you an opportunity to do some proactive thinking and planning around your role as a trustee or what this entails if you are newly-appointed in ways you can’t do when you are in those roles because often you are responding to issues that arise.”

Ms Henare-Waho says with Ngāti Maniapoto in the process of settling its Treaty claims, there are opportunities for people within the iwi to upskill for their marae, to whom the proceeds of any settlement should eventually go to.

“Good governance and leadership is key to the success of any organisation that might manage post-settlement assets .”

“But we must also consider our marae and land trusts and other organisations who will receive benefits of the settlement and they need all of the above, good processes and importantly, people who are skilled and have knowledge of what those roles entail.

 Back to news & events

Published On:

Article By:



Other Articles

  • 24 April 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates 40 years of transforming education

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates 40 years of transforming education since the opening of O-Tāwhao Marae. Join us for a special Taringa podcast episode and livestream on Facebook.

  • 22 April 2025

    From kaupapa to K-pop

    Discover the inspiring journey of Shelley Hoani, who earned her Doctorate in Indigenous Development and Advancement with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. Learn how her passion for education, Rangahau, and K-pop has shaped her life and career at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

  • 09 April 2025

    Rangatahi carving their own way forward

    Discover how Tāmaki rangatahi are carving their way into a brighter future through the Mahi ā Toi Academy at Rutherford College. Learn how this programme blends traditional Māori art of whakairo with modern tools, fostering a strong connection to whakapapa and Māori culture.

  • 9 April 2025

    Finding strength and a future through social work

    Discover the inspiring journey of Tessa Thompson, a social work tauira at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Learn how the Manaaki Tāngata programme and dedicated kaiako helped her overcome challenges and pursue a career in social work. Explore her commitment to making a positive impact on her whānau and community in Kawerau, and her aspirations to mentor rangatahi.