A new Rapua te Ara Rangatira publication, The Voices of Emerging Leaders, has recently been released. The publication presents the thoughts of Ngāti Hauiti rangatahi regarding leadership, governance, and decision-making as part of the Rapua project.
The rangatahi interviews were conducted by summer student, Bridget Watson (Ngāti Hauiti), in the summer of 2024/25 (read more). The rangatahi who were interviewed included: Kewa Tapairu Cashell-Warren, Manahi Te Hiakai Gardiner, Jack Potaka, Tamahauiti Potaka, Waitapu Potaka, Maihi Potaka-Butler, and Meikura Williams. In the interviews, Bridget asked the rangatahi to reflect on their thoughts of whakataukī and whakataukī related to leadership and rangatiratanga, some of which were revealed in the initial Rapua interviews, some originate from Ngāti Hauiti rangatira, and others are well known throughout Aotearoa.
The publication presents five themes which were created through a process of thematic analysis led out by Whakauae researcher, Darcy Karaka. The five themes are: Leadership Motivation, Attributes of Successful Leaders, Enduring Leadership, Striving for Excellence, and Embodying Leadership.
Each theme includes an introduction by Principal Investigator, Dr Amohia Boulton, where she presents a relevant whakataukī or whakatauākī, and describes the theme and how each connects to the interviews. Following the introduction, key quotes from the interviews are presented. Each theme is accompanied by an illustration designed by Chloe Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou). The illustrations capture the essence of the kōrero offered by the rangatahi. In addition, Chloe’s reflections on how she developed her illustrations are also presented.
This publication is a follow-up of Rapua’s first publication Interim Findings in 2023 (read more) which presented a summary of interviews and wānanga held with governors and leaders from Ngāti Hauiti, Mōkai Pātea-nui-tonu, and Te Ranga Tupua, as part of the Rapua project.
During the development of the Interim Findings, the Rapua team noted that there were insufficient views of rangatahi and for that reason, the team devised a specific summer studentship project to allow us to collect the voices of rangatahi. We are delighted Ngāti Hauiti rangatahi, Bridgette Watson, agreed to undertake the interviewing and was able to use the project to deepen her connections with her whanauanga.
The Voices of Emerging Leaders can be read using the interactive book version on this website page https://interactives.whakauae.co.nz/. Hard copies of the book are also available and may be requested by emailing admin@whakauae.co.nz. A series of five videos aligned to each of the themes accompanies the publication. The first of the five-part video series can be viewed here
