MADE to Lead is back!
MADE to Lead - our Phase One group
At Whakamana Ora we believe those closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. Through our MADE to Lead programme, we are equipping and empowering emerging community leaders with lived experience of adversity to heal, grow, and lead change within their communities.
MADE to Lead equips & empowers emerging leaders who are:
often overlooked or excluded from traditional/mainstream leadership pathways
mostly from Māori, Pasifika, and other disadvantaged communities
deeply connected to their whānau and communities
carrying lived experience of trauma and adversity, that is being transformed into purpose and powerful “stories of hope”
As our whānau heal and grow, they are uniquely positioned to lead change from within!
Term Two of MADE to Lead has started well, building on a strong start to the year.
Our Phase One group has been consistent, with around 30 people gathering each week. Most of these whānau came through Flourishing People and chose to continue on with MADE to Lead, which has been encouraging to see.
Phase One is focused on laying foundations for personal growth and continuing the work of healing, while building community and support. The leadership side comes later, but this stage really matters. It creates the platform for everything that follows.
MADE to Lead - our Phase Two group with our guest speaker Aaron Ironside
Our Phase Two group of 16 have returned for more after completing Phase One in 2025. This year they have been going deeper into leadership development with input from psychologist Aaron Ironside, who helped unpack emotional maturity and how our brains work, followed by Pritesh Chandra from Better Version of You, who has been training the group in how to shape and share their stories with others. Both have added real value, and there’s been a lot of learning, sharing our stories and encouraging each other.
NEW Facilitator Training Pilot
We have an amazing group of eight leaders who have stepped forward to train as facilitators for Flourishing People. These are people who are already influential in their own communities, and this training will equip them to deliver the programme in ways that fit their context. We will share more on this as the training programme continues!
What they say:
“Great leadership and people who come together in aroha. The warmth and kindness is amazing! Having a whānau to pray with, to share together our struggles, our wins, our ups and downs, is amazing”
“Its helped alot in my personal spiritual growth and who I am in my family as a mother, a wife, sister and daughter Its been powerful”
“This course has given me community and family there is so much more then words. Super grateful to have leaders that I can glean off and be inspired by.”
“I’ve been drawn much closer to God... I feel more confident in my life’s purpose, and I believe I will continue to grow in maturity and strength so that I can better serve my ‘neighbours’.”
“Cutting through years of unhealthy thinking and making sense of a lot questions”
“I read the Bible way more then I did. My mind set feels way better. Now feel that I have a purpose a mission”
“It has been a blessing to be part of the program as I am not in church. It has helped keep the fire burning, especially while I was feeling empty”
“The Team that serve us and facilitate our sessions always deliver their very best and are people of honour, integrity, servanthood, and most of all Love. Priscilla, Len, Margaret and the team are diligent in their pursuit of excellent praiseworthy leadership. They foster a learning environment to bring out the very best in others and provide a great balance of teaching from a biblical and practical community lens of growing in your leadership. I love them all, they are not only Mentors and Leaders in my life - they are Whānau!”
“I can say this program has really softened my heart. Being surrounded by so much kindness has made me want to grow treat people better, and show more love.”
“Awesome session. Great community. You spoke a lot about LOVE. I felt God's love the duration of the session… Tears flowed. Bless you all, family.”
“My partner enjoyed himself last night - said that it was cool how everything was explained and broken down, that he was able to understand…”