Our Journey to Shared Leadership

Te Tauihu o te Waka Whakakitenga.
Our journey to shared leadership

Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a core part of our mission to build hope and transformation.

A key part of actioning this commitment to a true partnership between Māori and Pākehā was to put into place a shared leadership model which saw Lisa Woolley in the role of Tumu Whakarae and Matua Fred Astle in the position of Tumu. On Thursday 8 August 2024, a special event was held at Glen Eden Baptist Church to officially recognise this hugely significant step.

The Shared Leadership Event included local dignitaries and representatives from throughout our local community. In addition to the keynote speakers specifically mentioned below, those in attendance included Sir Michael Jones, Sir Bob Harvey, national and local body politicians, representatives from partnering organisations including Housing First, Te Whānau o Waipareira, and Community Waitakere, and representatives from many of our funders including Foundation North, Wilberforce Foundation, The Trusts, Sky City Community Trust, and Foodstuffs.

Many of these brought greetings and spoke during the mihi whakatau leading up to the event’s keynote speakers who included:

•  Church and Trust Board representatives:

• Gary Grut, Glen Eden Baptist Church (GEBC) Senior Pastor.
• Daniel Barthow, Visionwest Board Chairperson.

•  Representatives of the Pasefika community:

• Lady Maleina Jones, Visionwest Board member and respected advocate for Pasefika wellbeing and development throughout West Auckland.
• Judy Matai’a, Visionwest Director of Housing and Pasefika Development.

•  Baptist Churches of Aotearoa New Zealand Representatives.

• Reti Ah-Voa, Northern Baptist Association Regional Leader.
• Luke Kaa-Morgan, Te Pou Arataki mō te Hikoi for the Baptist Union, Arotahi and Carey Baptist College.
• Ray Totorewa and Sean Delany from Te Whāriki.

•  Lisa Woolley and Matua Fred Astle.

Our Waka Whakakitenga Journey

Our journey has been guided by divine insights, leading us to become a Te Tiriti-centred organisation. Like a poutama (stepped pattern), our Te Tiriti journey has matured through each courageous step, culminating in the adoption of our shared leadership.

Our origins are deeply connected to Glen Eden Baptist Church, which began serving local community needs over sixty-five years ago. The first step was taken in the spirit of service, leading to the establishment of a community trust, now known as Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga. The second step was creating a marae-like environment to nurture whānau Māori. With the leadership of our Tumu Whakarae CEO, Lisa Woolley, and expert Māori leadership, we established the Whānau Centre, holding the mana of each unique whānau as sacred.

The third step involved establishing Māori representation at all levels. This commitment was demonstrated through the appointment of Matua Fred Astle on the executive leadership team and the adoption of our Visionwest Te Tiriti o Waitangi Policy, which prioritised partnership, participation, protection, and equity.

Under Matua Fred’s guidance, a new Māori visual identity and name were established, leading to the development of our He Pou Whakakitenga Kaupapa Māori Framework. This framework, with its four pou – wairua (spirit), mātauranga (knowledge/wisdom), tikanga (culture), and hauora (health/wellbeing)  – guides Whānau Services and Kaupapa Māori development, ultimately resulting in Māori-led services for Māori and for all.

Seeking wisdom on how to embody mana ōrite (equity) and the true expression of Te Tiriti, the most significant insight has been the exploration and creation of shared leadership for the journey ahead. Te Tauihu Waka Whakakitenga symbolises the prow of the waka – our Tumu Whakarae and Tumu journeying side by side.

Based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and our values, shared leadership supports us to continue to hold each other well as Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga explores new possibilities on our wayfinding mission, grounded in the spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Two symbols, the tauihu and the poutama, can be used to underline the nature of Visionwest’s shared leadership and the practicalities behind it.

The Tauihu – Prow of the Waka

The Tauihu, the name given to the carved front of a waka, symbolises Māori leadership guiding through both calm and stormy waters. It represents leadership who navigate unseen challenges, and embody a spirit of protection and foresight.

At Visionwest, the Tauihu symbolises our Shared Leadership, reflecting the partnership between the Tumu Whakarae and Tumu. Anchored in seeing transformed lives and healthy communities, and guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, this model is sustained through values of aroha (love), whanaungatanga (relationship), manaakitanga (hospitality), and mana (presence).

The tauihu figure symbolises our faith-led traditions, guided by Te Wairua Tapu – the Holy Spirit – towards just governance. Such spiritual guidance aligns us with our sacred purpose, grounding our decisions in wairua and whakapono (belief). As a faith-led organisation, we integrate kaupapa Māori into our practices, enhancing services and enriching our culture with authenticity, integrity, and aroha.

The Poutama

The poutama symbolises spiritual, intellectual, physical, and other forms of progression and growth. It’s aptly described as “our climb from ignorance to knowledge, from earth to heaven, from tamaiti to matua.” Beyond its symbolic meaning, the poutama holds deep significance as the whakapapa of a waka, a tribal ancestor, and future generations. It is rich in stories and mātauranga (knowledge).

In the context of Visionwest, we can view each step as a symbol. On one level, it represents divine insight, leading to the creation of Glen Eden Baptist Church, Visionwest, and the rich progression of growth and learnings as a faith-led community organisation. On another level, it signifies our organisation’s development in serving our communities. On a human level, it symbolises the growth and progression of each person who joins Visionwest.

Into the Future

The Tauihu, shared leadership model has been in place for almost a year and is serving Visionwest well; delivering on our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi while providing decisive and culturally appropriate leadership.