Kawenata signing ceremony
Attendees and signatories outside the Whakatū Marae.
Celebrating a Historic Commitment to Collaboration in Te Tauihu
On February 11, 2024, over 100 people gathered at Whakatū Marae to witness and celebrate the Kawenata Signing Ceremony, marking a significant step forward in strengthening partnerships across iwi, for-purpose organisations, local and central government, and the business sector in Te Tauihu.
The event was hosted by the Te Tauihu Community Development Agency (TTCDA) and was a testament to the region’s collective commitment to unity, collaboration, and a values-driven approach to community development. Leadership from Ngā Iwi o Te Tauihu, community groups, local and central government, and the Chamber of Commerce came together to sign the Kawenata, a covenant reflecting shared aspirations and a long-term commitment to working together for the well-being of the region.
A Ceremony Grounded in Partnership and Legacy
The signing ceremony was deeply moving, beginning with mihi and acknowledgments from iwi leaders, followed by speeches from Shane Graham (Pouwhakahaere, Ngāti Rārua), Megan Courtney (Chair, TTCDA), and Leigh Manson (Strategic Lead, TTCDA). Each speaker emphasized the importance of authentic partnerships and the need for a new way of working—one that is grounded in the principles of whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (care), pono (integrity), and rangatiratanga (self-determination).
You can read the full speeches by clicking on the speaker’s names
A powerful theme throughout the ceremony was the idea of being good ancestors. As TTCDA Strategic Lead Leigh Manson reminded attendees, the commitments made in this kawenata are not just for today but for future generations who will inherit the outcomes of our actions.
Sara Shaughnessy, Rachel Sanson, Megan Courtney, Felicity Palmer, Nikki Brown, Leigh Manson, Bill Huppler and Nick Clarke with the Kōwhai sapling gifted to signatories.
Symbolism in Action: Planting the Seeds for the Future
To mark this historic occasion, each signatory received a native kōwhai sapling—a living symbol of the commitment to nurture and sustain relationships and shared goals over time. This small but powerful gesture reinforced the idea that strong relationships, like trees, require care, patience, and the right conditions to grow.
A Roadmap for Action: What’s Next?
With the signing of the kawenata, TTCDA is now focusing on key initiatives to strengthen collaboration and impact across Te Tauihu. Some of the planned activities for 2024, funding pending, include:
AI for the Community Sector: Supporting community organisations in leveraging AI tools for funding applications, report writing, meeting minutes, and social media content.
Marlborough Hui: Bringing together organisations and leaders for collective action planning.
Collective Impact Workshop: A regional initiative aimed at strengthening the sense of belonging in Te Tauihu.
Financial Sustainability Workshops: Helping organisations explore new ways to share resources and enhance sustainability.
Leadership Development Programmes: Strengthening networks across the community sector, with a focus on youth wellbeing leadership.
Building Collaborative Capacity in the Kai Sector: Supporting food security and resilience efforts.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to build a thriving, resilient, and connected community sector—one that is equipped to tackle current and future challenges together.
A Shared Responsibility Moving Forward
As Shane Graham (Ngāti Rārua) eloquently stated in his speech, the Kawenata is more than a document—it is a declaration of intent:
To work differently
To lead differently
To be accountable to each other
By signing this kawenata, each organisation and individual has affirmed their commitment to kotahitanga (unity) and collective action. This is just the beginning.
Signed Kawenata.
Join the Movement
For those who were unable to attend but wish to be part of this movement, the kawenata is a living document and remains open for signing. If your organisation aligns with these values and would like to contribute to this collective journey, we invite you to sign up digitally.
To sign the Kawenata digitally, complete this form.
Let’s continue to grow this forest of collaboration together.