Kura Kāinga
Experience marae leadership in action.
Marae are our last bastion - a living connection that binds us to each other, to our past and our future. Are you ready to future-proof this legacy for generations to come with Kura Kāinga?
Gain the knowledge and strategies to support your marae and help it thrive.
Kura Kāinga is a full-day practical workshop designed for anyone involved in keeping the marae functioning - whether in governance, a management role, or any of the many behind-the-scenes support roles that keep the lights on at home.
Too often, the vital work of marae upkeep is left to a small group of dedicated individuals. These kaimahi carry the load with limited support, few opportunities for upskilling, and little investment in their wellbeing or long-term development. Most of these roles are unpaid and voluntary, meaning people are juggling the needs of the marae alongside full-time jobs, whānau responsibilities, and their own wellbeing.
Kura Kāinga acknowledges this reality and provides practical tools, guidance, and encouragement for those doing the heavy lifting.
Hands-on interactive learning – participate with the experts and your fellow ngā tauira in an immersive workshop
Tools and strategies – learn how to build a sustainable and actionable plan for your marae, fundraise and implement change
Expert guidance – Learn from the experts who have gone before you, who will share real-life success stories to help you achieve goals and results for your marae
Marae Leadership in Action
This is not a theory-based workshop. Kura Kāinga is grounded in authenticity and built from real-life experience - facilitated by Dr. Jeremy Tātere MacLeod, who brings lived practice, governance expertise, and unwavering commitment to marae as living institutions.
While designed primarily for those who serve their marae directly, this wānanga is also valuable for professionals, funders, and government agencies who engage with marae.
Kura Kāinga offers essential insight into the day-to-day realities faced on the ground, how to engage meaningfully, and the cultural, historical, and spiritual significance marae hold within our communities.
Workshop Structure
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• 9:00am Whakawhanaungatanga & Introductions
- Setting the tone for a values-based day
- Sharing personal experiences and roles within marae life
• 9:30am Workshop 1: Leading Our People, Not Just Processes
- Understanding governance through a people-first lens
- Balancing leadership and whanaungatanga in marae settings
- The importance of clear communication, vision, and emotional intelligence
• 11:00am Morning Tea
• 11:15am Workshop 2: Building Trust, Funding & Navigating Change
- Bringing people along when implementing change
- Navigating resistance, intergenerational tensions, and whānau dynamics
- Where formal governance training fits in and where it doesn’t go far enough
- Understanding funding pathways and aligning pūtea with kaupapa
- Building funding applications rooted in tikanga and need
• 12:45pm Lunch
• 1:45pm Workshop 3: Evolving Kawa & Tikanga with Integrity
- Understanding how kawa and tikanga evolve over time
- The importance of developing clear, community-led policies
- Having courageous conversations to meet today’s needs while protecting tradition
• 2:30pm Interactive Session: Designing Your Marae Leadership Plan
- Develop a people-focused leadership or support plan tailored to your role
- Group kōrero, feedback, and encouragement
• 3:15pm Wrap-up & Reflection
- Summary of key insights
- Q&A with Dr. Tātere MacLeod
- Closing karakia and final whakaaro
Kura Kāinga Event Dates.
FAQS
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Kura Kāinga is a one-day workshop offering essential expert insights into the day-to-day realities of running a marae, while exploring the cultural, historical, and spiritual significance marae hold within our communities.
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Registrations are open to:
While designed primarily for those who serve their marae directly, this wānanga is also valuable for professionals, funders, and government agencies who engage with marae.
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Clicking on the ‘Secure your Spot’ button.
Due to limited space of participants, on receipt Kura Kāinga will confirm your enrolment. If we exceed the amount of spaces and we are able to keep your information for our records if any spaces become available, and for any similar kaupapa offered by Kura Kāinga.
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The cost for the one-day workshop is $490 (excl GST) for individuals.
This includes:
Food throughout the day
An immersive and interactive one day workshop with Tikanga expert Dr. Jeremy Tātere MacLeod
Learning resources and a take-away workbook to refer back to anytime
Access to Kauwaka’s learning community platform on Mighty Networks
Bringing a group or your whānau?Email info@kauwaka.co.nz — we’d love to explore how we can support your collective participation.
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All levels. From those with vast experience and marae association, to those who are just beginning and wanting to learn.
This one-day workshop has been designed for participants to learn how to build a sustainable and actionable plan for your marae, fundraise and implement change.
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Presentations Dr. Jeremy Tātere MacLeod will share his personal experiences and expert knowledge while providing you with all the information, tools and tactics you need to be successful, including fundraising.
Interactive activities, including sharing personal stories and roles of marae life, and developing your marae leadership plan.
Q and A reflections group kōrero sharing insights, thoughts and ideas and asking any burning questions to cement your learning.
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Kura Kāinga is fortunate to draw on the expertise of key te reo Māori champion, language and culture expert and educator Dr. Jeremy Tātere MacLeod. The programme is being delivered by Kauwaka Ltd.
This is in addition to a wider team of kaiako, historians and key leaders within the education workforce that we have engaged to support delivery.
You can find our very talented team here on our website. www.kauwaka.co.nz
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For all general enquiries regarding Kura Tikanga, email info@kauwaka.co.nz
Who is this for?
Anyone involved in marae operations or support
Whānau committed to sustaining their kāinga
Hapū, iwi, or rūnanga representatives working to future-proof marae
Those preparing for or stepping into leadership or governance roles
Professionals and agencies who wish to better understand and support marae
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Essential insights from authentic experiences.
Participants will leave Kura Kāinga with a deeper understanding of people-first leadership, succession and sustainability planning, funding pathways, the evolution of kawa and tikanga, and a personalised action plan for their own marae or role.
What you’ll learn
Effective governance and funding strategies for marae operations
How to lead people with integrity - implementing change while bringing your whānau and community along with you
Succession planning and leadership development
Tools to build long-term sustainability for your marae
How kawa and tikanga evolve, and how to navigate those changes with courage and clarity
Future-proof your legacy for generations to come.
This wānanga is designed for those who directly serve their marae and any individual, agency or professional who engages with marae.
Individual Rate: $490 (excl. GST)
Bringing a group or your whānau?Email info@kauwaka.co.nz — we’d love to explore how we can support your collective participation.
Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality, immersive learning experience. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out; we’d love to have you join us.
Your Registration Includes:
Full-day guided wānanga
Workbook and templates
Catered morning tea and lunch
Access to online follow-up tools and support