Mayor calls for next young Māori leader to join Tuia programme

Calling all young aspiring Māori leaders. . . here is your chance to join the national Tuia Programme.

The programme is designed to build leadership skills with an intentional, long term, and intergenerational approach to develop rangatahi. It forms part of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, with mayors from across the country working one-on-one with their mentee.

Waipā District Mayor Susan O’Regan has spent a successful year mentoring Te Awamutu’s Maude Rewha and cannot wait to see who is selected for 2024. “Maude has come a long way. She’s grown from a quietly talented young person to someone who shares her views with confidence and a listening ear, and who is always willing to learn more.”

Candidates between 18 and 25-years-old who can attend monthly meetings, both formal and informal, are invited to apply. Wānanga (learning conferences) are held at different marae with other young people from around the country. The 2024 recipient must be available for the first wananga at Te Kuiti Pā from Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 3, 2024.

“Anyone can be eligible to join this programme. Often, it can be the quietest young person who will develop in leaps and bounds through a programme like this,” says O’Regan. “It’s also not just about helping develop leaders, there is a huge focus on building culture. The aim is to instil mana for years to come.”

Aspiring applicants should email susan.oregan@waipadc.govt.nz. Expressions of interest must be received no later than Monday, January 22, and should include name, contact details and age, plus an insight into the candidate’s schooling history, community activities or passions, sporting or cultural involvement, plans for the future, and most importantly why they want to be involved and what they want to achieve.

“I’m looking forward to fostering the next generation of leaders during this year’s Tuia programme,” O’Regan said.

Visit the Tuia Leadership Programme to find out more.