As part of a research consortium Mana Pacific have woven our NZ-Pacific peoples' stories into a national leadership project.
Mana Pacific has taken on its first research collaboration as part of a nation-wide consortium with New Zealand’s Ministry of Health Leadership Development Project. The project focused on understanding how best to strengthen health and disability system-wide leadership development and address leadership inequities – and this has led to recommendations for leadership development as part of New Zealand’s current health reform.
The project aims have set out to provide the Ministry and wider sector with insight into the current state of leadership and leadership development across the sector, identify what the key challenges are in developing effective and equitable leadership ,highlight what is working well, and provide concepts and recommendations to support the progress of this work.
The Pacific research and talanoa process led by Mana Pacific was undertaken by team members Dr Tracie Mafile’o, Dr Nailasikau Halatuituia, Fa'aeafale'upolu Samuelu, and Ema Sanga. Inherent to our diasporic communities is our established connections at all levels of Pacific communities and as a team we were able to draw from this rich people-resource. Capturing understandings and stories from our NZ-Pacific communities about ‘leadership’ within the health context was vital to forging the Pacific leadership narrative in this project. Our culturally-grounded values and relationships, wellbeing as well as dignity-preserving principles underpinned many of the realities, concerns and hopes towards leadership development in the system.
Research team member Fa'aeafale'upolu Samuelu reflects on her involvement in the project, "Pacific leaders taught me that leadership is more than a skill and more than a role. Leadership is about fulfilling your obligation bestowed upon you by the people. Pacific leadership is personal."
Being part of developing national change in leadership development has been a privilege for Mana Pacific. Working collaboratively with other consultants in the consortium such as, Francis Health and Kāhui Tautoko Consulting has grown our appreciation for the importance of good research processes and weaving our peoples' leadership stories together. This leadership development project has seen Mana Pacific traverse unchartered waters and we look forward to what's on the horizon - future projects that will amplify our voices for Pacific leadership and health.
Click here for updates on the project and access to reports.
Leadership is about fulfilling your obligation bestowed upon you by the people. Pacific leadership is personal.
