A warm welcome to the Aspiring National Leadership Programme! It is great to have you on board with us this year.
Itiiti rearea, teitei kahikatea ka taea
Although the rearea is small it can ascend the lofty heights of the Kahikatea tree
The rearea, a small native bird, was closely observed by our ancestors as it foraged for food. They noticed how the rearea would fly upwards, hover briefly (sometimes drifting downwards a little), and then fly upwards again, repeating this process until it reached the top of the towering kahikatea trees, which in earlier times could reach heights of 50 meters or more. Once it reached the canopy, the rearea would feed on the fruit. This whakataukī uses the rearea’s determined climb as inspiration, reminding us that if this small bird can expend such effort to obtain food and achieve its goal, then surely we too can reach our own goals through perseverance.
One Response
Hi Team. I wanted to make some comments and observations about the NALC I completed earlier this year. I was expecting some sort of post course survey, hence my late observations.
Overall the modules and mentor support was great, Geraldine was fantastic and the various learning foci were relevant and applicable. Unfortuately however I found the website clunky, often lacking the appropriate security certification (http v https). Some of the readings were behind paywalls with it taking too long to either open them up or provide an alternative. Comms were patchy with an early announcement of a final plg venue at which time I booked flights and accomodation accordingly, only to read later the venue was still being confirmed, and then the original venue being locked in. Mmmmm!
Lasty, my learning partner with whom I worked and collaborated during the programme, was actually in different roopu, which we meant we ended up sitting at different tables in Chch. A minor detail I know but in conjunction with the other frustrations, just compounded the overall loose facilitation of learning materials and events.
I will recomend the programme to others if the opportunity arises but I suggest Growth Culture tighten up on some details. All the best for the summer break and good luck for 2026.