Information for co-funders

Ka Eke Poutama is a 15-week leadership and governance programme designed to equip young Māori (aged 22-38) with the skills, confidence, and connections to step into governance and leadership roles in their communities. We run the programme in cohorts of 40-50 participants.  The programme includes wānanga (workshops), board observations, mentoring, and community initiatives.

The programme was developed in response to Māori organisations seeking support for leadership succession. Good governance and leadership is needed in all sectors - in iwi, NGOs, community organisations, local Councils, school boards, and businesses.  Many iwi, hapū, and community boards take on our alumni as their current leaders retire. 

A programme like KEP in particular is important due to: 

• The growing need by organisations for strong governance leaders

• The significant economic, social and environmental opportunities for Māori to contribute to

• A shift from a pre-to-post settlement mentality 

• The issues currently faced with ensuring strong succession

• The increased sophistication of a governance role and what it must grapple with 

• A range of converging external trends shaping innovation, strategy and society

• The complexity with coordinating small training programmes for rangatahi that deliver strong outcomes and practical pathways

• Rangatahi reinforcing the need for support to help them gain the confidence, knowledge, networks, and opportunities to step into governance.

Ka Eke Poutama has been running since 2016, with over 200 alumni from multiple cohorts. The programme paused in 2020 due to COVID-19 but has since resumed with an expanded focus.

Participants gain practical governance and leadership training, including knowledge around:

• Governance roles and responsibilities

• Strategy and decision-making

• Risk management and financial literacy

• Communications methods and systems

• Cultural leadership and Te Ao Māori integration

• Community initiatives and board engagement

Participants need to commit to:

• 3x weekend wānanga (in-person workshops), one weekend per month

• 7x Online speaker sessions with governance leaders

• Quest assignments to apply their learning

• Community projects to drive local impact

Board observations to gain real-world experience

Graduates of the programme develop:

• Strong governance and leadership skills

• Confidence to engage in decision-making

• A supportive network of Māori leaders and peers

• Real-world governance experience through board placements and advisory roles

• A bank of useful governance resources that they can draw on

• Over 200 alumni have participated.

• Graduates hold 150+ governance roles in iwi, local councils, and community boards.

• 70% of alumni have become trustees in Māori and community organisations.

• Significant increase in young Māori wāhine stepping into governance roles.

• The programme was awarded the ACE Aotearoa 'Tangata Whenua Community Based Programme of the Year' in 2017, reflecting its significant impact.

• Strengthens Māori leadership in governance.

• Increases voluntary capacity for community organisations.

• Builds resilience and innovation within Māori-led initiatives.

• Alumni collectively provide over 20,000 volunteer hours annually (100 voluntary hours average), valued at more than $463,000 in community contribution.

• Provides positive role models for other young Māori.

• Normalises conversations around strategy, responsibility, accountability and good leadership amongst young Māori and boards. 

• Activates community-led solutions and initiatives

• Helps ensure more inclusive and collaborative boards and organisations.

The need for a generation of young Māori skilled in governance just keeps growing. 

To meet this need, we aim to expand the programme to more regions, grow our alumni network, and strengthen the pathways into governance roles, ensuring sustained Māori leadership for now and into the future.

Māori governance is critical to community success, yet young Māori face barriers such as lack of confidence, networks, and opportunities to engage in appropriate training.  Ka Eke Poutama bridges this gap by providing all of these things, along with mentorship, skills development, pastoral care and real pathways into leadership.

Co-funding towards each programme comes from:

• Māori organisations and iwi contributions

• Philanthropic and community funders

• Government agencies (e.g. Te Puni Kōkiri, Internal Affairs)

The co-funding supports the costs of preparing and delivering the programme, including:

• Recruitment and coordination with community partners

• Facilitation and programme delivery

• Mentorship and coaching

• Venue and logistics for wānanga

• Materials and programme resources

• Governance pathways and network opportunities

• Graduation and reporting

Participants cover their own travel to wānanga. 

A portion of the programme costs may be covered by a participant's employer, iwi, or sponsor, or they may opt to pay for this themselves.

We actively engage with funders and seek co-funding to support our programmes, tracking grant applications and adjusting as needed. If a shortfall of up to $10,000 arises, TWH can draw on reserves to cover it, with any surplus directed toward future programmes.

While we can explore cost reductions, our experience shows that trimming expenses impacts the programme experience. Another option is combining regions (e.g., Bay of Plenty + Takitimu or East Coast), pooling funding while maintaining a strong cohort of up to 50 participants.

TWH is deeply committed to this kaupapa, given its high demand among our community partners. We will ensure the programme proceeds successfully and plan to run it annually to meet ongoing needs for Māori communities and future leaders.

Participants apply online or are nominated by iwi, community organisations, or employers. Selection is based on leadership potential, commitment to the learning journey and community impact, and their governance aspirations.

Yes, the programme is adaptable for specific regions and iwi. We co-design content in partnership with local Māori organisations. We have done this before and intend to do this in 2025.

Community partners include Iwi organisations, Māori Trusts, Employers, Co-Funders, Government agencies and Māori governors, experts and mentors

They contribute a range of support, including: 

• Resources needed for the programme, including co-funding

• Help with recruiting and nominating rangatahi participants

• Co-designing programme content

• Contributing case studies and guest speakers

• Providing mentorship and board observation opportunities

• Offering governance pathways for graduates

Te Whare Hukahuka exists to enable indigenous community leaders with the knowledge and tools to create strong, sustainable and self-determining organisations. 

Guided by the kaupapa of self-determination, collaboration, and succession, we focus mainly on governance, strategy, and leadership development. Over the past 10 years, we have trained more than 2,000 Māori trustees and worked with over 400 Māori organisations, including Iwi, Hapū, Marae, Hauora, and Ahuwhenua Trusts. Strong governance is the foundation of thriving indigenous organisations, and we are committed to enabling Māori to realise their aspirations and create positive, lasting impact.

As a social enterprise, our programmes are made to be accessible and impactful, and so are less than half the cost of traditional providers.  Any reserves we make, we reinvest back into expanding access for more Māori Trusts. 

Our focus on succession helps ensure that the next generation of Māori leaders are also properly equipped to drive meaningful change.

Te Whare Hukahuka has 11 years of experience in delivering leadership and governance training across Aotearoa New Zealand.  We have trained over 2,000 Māori leaders, rangatahi, and entrepreneurs, equipping them with strategic skills, confidence, and self-determination to drive real social and economic impact.

Our Ka Eke Poutama programme develops rangatahi leadership, preparing them to join boards and shape decision-making.  We now have five cohorts of alumni and strong delivery and impact measurement processes in place. In our first cohort alone, 45 graduates secured 63 board roles. Many have since launched their own community initiatives.

We rigorously track impact, collecting participant feedback, engagement data, and governance outcomes. Alumni remain engaged as mentors and leaders within iwi and community organisations.

Our team has won national and international awards for weaving indigenous knowledge with modern strategy. We also advise philanthropic and government agencies around creating transformative change in Māori governance and leadership.

Ka Eke Poutama is delivered by a diverse team with experience in programme development, coordination and Māori governance. Rangatahi are also involved in co-design, facilitation, coaching and peer-to-peer teaching, which fosters tuakana-teina relationships. 

The programme is led by Shay Wright (Forbes Asia 30 Under 30) and Kaye-Maree Dunn (strategist and community leader) - both with over a decade of experience in governance, leadership, and Māori development. They are supported by a strong network of mentors, guest speakers, and governance experts, including Māori leaders and community role models.

The wider Te Whare Hukahuka team, based across Aotearoa, manages the operations, and are led by a dedicated programme manager. 

The programme includes a range of local collaborations and partnerships with key local organisations and individuals. Key contributors include co-facilitators, coaches, mentors, guest speakers, governance experts, and community leaders who provide real-world insights and pathways for participants. This collective approach to pastoral care ensures rangatahi gain relevant skills, networks, and support to step into governance and leadership roles.