Youth & Cultural Development

Empower to Lead – Taiohi Leadership Programme is a kaupapa Māori, youth-centred initiative designed to nurture confident, culturally grounded, and compassionate young leaders in low-decile kura.

Youth & Cultural Development’s moemoeā…

Our moemoea is to create safe, inclusive spaces where tamariki and taiohi can grow as leaders, strengthen cultural identity, and positively contribute to their kura and communities.

Delivered in 15-week cycles, the programme provides weekly 2-hour sessions tailored to age groups: fun, team-based leadership foundations for primary seniors (Years 5–6); skill-building in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving for intermediates (Years 7–8); and applied leadership through mentoring, projects, and kura/community initiatives for junior high students (Years 9–10).

Key components include:

• Connection & Whanaungatanga: tuakana–teina mentoring, team challenges, cultural grounding, and youth-led events.
• Needs-Responsive Design: ongoing kōrero with taiohi, whānau, and kura staff.
• Tailored Delivery: trauma-informed, culturally grounded, inclusive, and youth-led, with strong whānau involvement.
• Skill Development: leadership, resilience, hauora, digital and financial literacy, CV building, and community engagement.
• Collaboration: iwi, kaumātua, health providers, industry partners, kura, whānau, and community groups

By completion, taiohi will have stronger leadership foundations, resilience, cultural pride, practical life skills, and experience leading projects.
The programme anticipates reaching 2000 taiohi annually, with ripple effects across kura, whānau, and community: stronger engagement, improved wellbeing, visible youth leadership, and deeper whanaungatanga.

Te Whare O Whanaketanga equips taiohi to stand tall in their identity, lead with compassion, and contribute meaningfully to their kura and community.

What were the major outcomes of this kaupapa? 

The key outcomes of the Empower to Lead – Taiohi Leadership Programme have been strongly aligned with the original objectives of the project. The programme was designed to develop confident, culturally grounded, and community-minded young leaders, and we have seen positive progress towards achieving these goals through our engagement with tamariki, kura, and the wider community.

One of the most significant outcomes has been the increased confidence and engagement of tamariki. Throughout the programme, tamariki have become more comfortable participating in discussions, sharing their ideas, working collaboratively, and stepping into leadership roles. We have observed tamariki developing greater confidence in expressing themselves, supporting their peers, and recognizing their own strengths and abilities.

A key objective of the programme was to strengthen leadership skills, and this has been achieved through practical, hands-on learning experiences. Tamariki have developed skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and taking responsibility through group activities, leadership challenges, and collaborative projects. Rather than only learning about leadership concepts, tauira have been given opportunities to practice leadership in real situations.

Another important outcome has been the strengthening of whanaungatanga and relationships. Through maintaining a smaller cohort, we have been able to build meaningful connections with tamariki, kura staff, and the wider Tuahiwi community. This has created a foundation of trust where tauira feel supported, valued, and encouraged to contribute. The relationships developed with kura have also allowed the programme to better reflect the values, aspirations, and needs of the community.

The programme has also supported cultural identity and belonging, which was a key objective from the beginning. Through kaupapa Māori-based activities, kōrero, teamwork, and connection with kura values, tamariki have been encouraged to understand leadership through a Māori lens where leadership is about service, uplifting others, and contributing positively to whānau and community.

Overall, the outcomes achieved so far are in line with the programme’s objectives. While there is still ongoing mahi that needs to be done to support tamariki as they continue their leadership journey, the programme has successfully created a positive foundation by increasing confidence, strengthening connections, developing leadership capability, and empowering tamariki to see themselves as active contributors and future leaders within their communities.

What were some of the challenges your kaupapa faced during its implementation?

One of the key challenges we have encountered during the implementation of Empower to Lead has been adapting our delivery approach to align with the unique structure of Te Kura o Tuahiwi. Rather than focusing on tamariki by traditional year levels, the kura picks out student leaders from across each class and those tamariki come to the Empower to Lead programme. This means our current ropu ages range from years 3-8 (approximately 6-13 years old).

While this structure has created valuable opportunities for tuakana-teina relationships and allows younger tamariki to learn alongside older leaders, it has also required us as kaimahi to be flexible and responsive in our programme design. One of the challenges has been ensuring that each session remains engaging, accessible, and meaningful for all age groups throughout the full duration of the session. At times, younger tamariki have found it more difficult to maintain focus during longer discussions or activities that require more advanced leadership concepts.

To address this, we have been continuously reflecting and having korero on our delivery methods and adapating sessions to better meet the needs of all of our tamariki. This has included incorporating more interactive activities, movement based learning, games, practical challenges, creative activities, and opportunities for tamariki to take ownership of parts of the session. We are also exploring ways to strengthen the tuakana-teina model by encouraging older tamariki to support and guide younger tamariki, creating shared responsibility and leadership within the group.

A further challenge has been managing the growth and expansion of partnerships while ensuring we maintain the quality and relationship-based approach that has been central to the programme’s success. Building strong relationships with kura, whānau, marae, and community takes time, and we have intentionally prioritized meaningful relationships over rapid expansion.

Despite these challenges, they have provided valuable learning opportunities and have strengthened the programme. They have encouraged us to be more adaptable, creative, and reflective as kaimahi, ensuring that the Empower to Lead continues to be responsive to the needs of each kura and supports each tamariki to feel included, valued and empowered as a leader.

How did this kaupapa benefit from the Pou Herenga Tangata Award? 

The funding received through Tapuwae Roa’s Pou Herenga Tangata Award has been instrumental in allowing Empower to Lead – Taiohi Leadership Programme to move from an idea into a meaningful and impactful leadership initiative for tamariki and taiohi.

The funding had enabled us to dedicate the necessary time, resources, and capacity required to establish and deliver a quality leadership programme that is responsive to the needs of kura and tamariki. It. has supported our kaimahi to create consistent, engaging, and culturally grounded sessions where tamariki can develop confidence, stregthen relationships and build their leadership capabilities.

The funding has also provided us with the opportunity to expand the range of experiences and learning opportunities available to tamariki. While many of these practical skill sessions are still being planned, the funding will allow us to bring in and utilise the diverse expertise within our YCD team, including areas such as DJing, barbering, braiding, barista skills, digital media, and other practical life skills. These opportunities will give tamariki the chance to explore new interests, develop confidence in different areas, and connect leadership learning with real-world skills and pathways.

In addition, the funding will support the continued engagement of the programme’s future goals, including preparing tamariki to design and deliver a community engagement event to give back to there kura and community. This provides tamariki with and authentic oppurtunity to apply their leadership skills, work collaboratively with whānau and community, and experience what it means to lead through service and contribution.

The support from Tapuwae Roa has also created opportunities for us to strengthen future partnerships with kura, iwi, marae, and community organisations. As the programme progresses, we aim to continue building these relationships and creating more collaborative learning opportunities for rangatahi and tamariki.

Overall, the funding has provided the foundation needed to establish Empower to Lead as a sustainable and impactful leadership programme. It has allowed us to focus on building strong relationships, delivering meaningful leadership development, and creating future opportunities that empower tamariki to grow as confident, culturally grounded leaders within their kura and communities.

What are your future plans for this kaupapa?

we absolutely hope to continue Empower to Lead going forward. This kaupapa has shown us the importance of creating spaces where tamariki and taiohi feel seen, valued, and supported to grow as leaders in their own way.

Our hope and dream is continue building strong relationships with kura, whānau, iwi, marae, community organisations so we can help provide more opportunities for young people to develop their confidence, identity, skills, and leadership abilities. We want to continue creating a programme where tamariki are not only learning about leadership but are given real opportunities to practice it, take ownership, and make a positive impact within their communities.

Ultimately, our vision is to nurture a generation of confident, culturally grounded, and compassionate leaders who understand that leadership is about serving others, strengthening whanaungatanga, and contributing to the wellbeing of their whānau and communities. We want tamariki to leave this programme knowing that their voices matter, their identity is a strength, and they have the ability to create positive change.