Photo: Heather (MAPPA), Lucy (MAPPA), Karl (NZPPA), Bert (NZPPA), Ena (MAPPA) Planning Team

Different Journeys, Stronger Together

Three Days of Connection, Culture and Possibility in Sydney

There are some professional experiences you attend, enjoy, take a few notes from and then move on. And then there are those experiences that stay with you. Our recent three-day journey to Sydney with a delegation of 25 members of the New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) definitely falls into the latter.

Photo: Our NZPPA Travelling group departing Auckland and bumped into our friend Leka Halasima

We travelled across the Tasman to connect with and tautoko our colleagues from Māori and Pasifika Principals Australia (MAPPA) — a developing principals’ organisation bringing together Māori and Pasifika educational leaders in Australia. We knew before leaving Aotearoa that this trip would be about relationships. We knew there would be opportunities to share our experiences as educational leaders, learn about the Australian context and explore how NZPPA might support our MAPPA colleagues.

What I don’t think any of us fully anticipated was just how deeply the three days would affect us. It became much more than a professional exchange between two principals’ associations. It was about people, culture, identity, leadership, belonging and possibility. It was about discovering that although the Tasman Sea separates us geographically, many of the aspirations we hold for our children, families and communities are remarkably similar. And perhaps most importantly, it reminded us that meaningful partnership always begins with relationships.

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DAY 1 — CONNECTION

Visible Educators Talanoa: Different Journeys, Stronger Together

Photo: NZPPA Arrive at the Visible Educators Talanoa

Our first official engagement took place at Liverpool Catholic Club, where NZPPA joined MAPPA for their Visible Educators Talanoa. This was particularly significant because it was MAPPA’s first official event as an organisation — an opportunity for our colleagues to introduce who they are, what they stand for and what they hope to achieve. The room brought together more than just principals.

We were joined by Māori and Pasifika educators, community leaders and representatives from other organisations and agencies, creating an environment where people could genuinely connect across sectors and experiences.

The kaupapa for the afternoon was beautifully captured in three words: People. Possibility. Together. And that was exactly what unfolded. The talanoa explored three major areas — Trans-Tasman Connections, Innovation in Practice, and Mentoring Aspiring Leaders.

Photo: NZPPA Members connecting with those in attendance

But the most powerful learning didn’t necessarily come from a presentation or workshop, it came from the conversations. People shared stories, they talked about challenges, they discussed what was working in their schools and communities, they exchanged ideas and discovered connections that hadn’t existed only hours earlier.

Photo: Visible Educators Talanoa

For NZPPA, it was also an opportunity to share something of our own journey in Aotearoa and our experiences as Pasifika educational leaders. Despite working within different education systems, there was an immediate familiarity in many of our conversations. We understood the importance of culturally responsive leadership. We understood the responsibility that comes with serving communities who have historically not always experienced equitable educational outcomes. And we understood that leadership for Māori and Pasifika principals often extends well beyond the school gate.

By the end of the evening, there was already a sense that something important had begun. We had arrived as two organisations. We were beginning to leave as colleagues and friends.

Photo: NZPPA Members who won prizes at the Visible Educators Talanoa

Day 1 was about CONNECTION.

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DAY 2 — LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER

Briar Road Public School and “It Takes a Village”

Day 2 allowed us to see the kaupapa we had discussed the previous evening living and breathing inside a school. We travelled to Briar Road Public School, where we were hosted by Principal and MAPPA colleague Tammy Anderson. From the moment we arrived, we knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary school visit.

One of the absolute highlights was the welcome from two groups of students — the school’s Māori bilingual class and its Indigenous Aboriginal class. For our NZPPA delegation, hearing those languages and seeing young people confidently standing in their respective cultural worlds was incredibly moving. There was pride, there was confidence, there was belonging.

Photo: Briar Road Maori Group

Photo: Briar Road Indigenous Group

And there was something particularly powerful about being Māori and Pasifika educators from Aotearoa standing in an Australian school and witnessing young people being given opportunities to see their culture and language reflected in education.

Leadership with non-negotiables

We then had the privilege of hearing Tammy talk about her leadership journey. She spoke passionately about her school, her people and her community. But she also spoke honestly about the struggles and challenges encountered along the way. One thing that particularly resonated was her discussion about the non-negotiable expectations she has for adults choosing to work at Briar Road.

Photo: Briar Road Maori Group

Photo: NZPPA Members enjoying the Briar Road Maori Group Performance

At the heart of her leadership is a determination to improve outcomes for the students and community she serves and to see Indigenous children experience opportunities and outcomes comparable with those of non-Indigenous communities. That conversation struck a chord with many of us.

Photo: Briar Road Sharing their story

Photo: Briar Road – Yummy Hangi for Lunch

Different country – Different system … but a very familiar kaupapa. Our children deserve excellence. They deserve adults who believe in them. And they deserve schools where their identity is recognised as a strength.

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It Takes a Village

That afternoon we returned to Liverpool Catholic Club for a broader community talanoa titled:

IT TAKES A VILLAGE — A Māori and Pasifika Community & Business Partnership Talanoa

And one question sat at the centre of everything: What could we build together that none of us could build alone? We heard about initiatives involving Māori culture in community, technology, Pacific community leadership, workshops, partnerships and opportunities to connect learning with organisations and businesses.

Photo: It Takes a Village Talanoa – Connection Activity

Photo: It Takes a Village Talanoa – Connection Activity

Photo: It Takes a Village Talanoa – Connection Activity

There was also a strong focus on interagency collaboration, recognising that many of the challenges facing our children and families do not sit neatly within the boundaries of education, health, community or social services. Perhaps one of the most refreshing parts of the afternoon was hearing from younger community leaders.

They were articulate, they were passionate, and they were absolutely focused on improving outcomes for the people they serve. The afternoon eventually moved into a form of “village speed dating”, built around three wonderfully simple questions:

• What do you bring?
• What do you need?
• Who should you connect with?

Those questions shifted the conversation from networking for networking’s sake towards action. Because exchanging business cards isn’t partnership. A relationship becomes meaningful when we begin asking what we can actually accomplish together.

Photo: It Takes a Village Talanoa – Connection Activity

For me, Day 2 reinforced something principals already know but occasionally need reminding of:

Schools cannot do this work alone. It takes teachers, it takes whānau, it takes communities, it takes businesses, it takes government and community organisations, it takes cultural leadership, and it takes young people themselves.

Day 2 reminded us that IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

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DAY 3 — WAIRUA, WHANAUNGATANGA AND BELONGING

Liverpool West Public School

Nothing quite prepared us for Day 3. Our final day together began at Liverpool West Public School, hosted by Principal and MAPPA colleague Lucy Martin, her staff, students, whānau and community. We knew we were going to receive a welcome but what followed took us completely by surprise.

As we entered the school, we were welcomed to Country through a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony. It was incredibly spiritual. There are moments when a group naturally becomes quiet because everyone understands that they are experiencing something significant. This was one of those moments.

Then we came around the corner. Waiting for us was a Māori warrior. A full wero followed. And all we could think was: WOW.

Here we were, in the middle of Liverpool, Australia, witnessing tikanga Māori being practised with mana. We were then called onto the school courts with haka and participated in what I can genuinely describe as one of the most special whakatau I have ever experienced. The wairua was incredible, the aroha was everywhere, and Māori culture wasn’t simply being talked about – It was alive and well. A whole school embracing the moment

Photo: Liverpool West School – Whaea Lucy Whanau

What made the occasion even more powerful was seeing the students. Liverpool West is a large school of around 700 students, and it genuinely felt as though the whole school understood that something special was happening. Their respect and behaviour were outstanding. They weren’t merely spectators to somebody else’s culture. They were part of the occasion.

Photo: Liverpool West School – Matavai Dance Group

Another beautiful aspect of the welcome was the involvement of Lucy’s whānau. Those of us who are principals probably smiled knowingly at this. Our families so often become part of our leadership journey. They support us quietly in the background and, when something needs doing, they front. Lucy’s whānau did exactly that. It reminded us that leadership has never really been an individual endeavour.

Photo: Liverpool West School – Powhiri

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From celebration to “Where to next?”

After the welcome we were taken to the library and shown wonderful manaakitanga through some very delicious kai. NZPPA also had an opportunity to acknowledge some of the staff, whānau and community members who had played important roles in making our visit so memorable.

Photo: Liverpool West School – Thanking Staff

Then came perhaps one of the most important conversations of the entire trip. Our two associations sat together for a final talanoa. For three days we had listened, we had shared, we had laughed we had visited schools, we had met communities, we had experienced culture and now we needed to ask: Where to next?

Photo: Liverpool West School – NZPPA & MAPPA Talanoa

Photo: Liverpool West School – NZPPA & MAPPA Talanoa

Photo: Liverpool West School – NZPPA & MAPPA Talanoa

Photo: Liverpool West School – NZPPA & MAPPA Talanoa

We began unpacking what we had experienced and considering how the relationship between NZPPA and MAPPA could develop from here. Because the success of this trip cannot ultimately be measured by how good we felt when we left Sydney. It will be measured by what happens next.

• What relationships continue?
• What opportunities emerge?
• What do our organisations learn from each other?
• How might principals on opposite sides of the Tasman support one another?
• And ultimately, how might this connection contribute to better outcomes for the tamariki, rangatahi, families and communities we collectively serve?

NZPPA was able to formally acknowledge and thank our MAPPA colleagues, and their acknowledgement of our delegation in return was deeply appreciated.

Photo: Liverpool West School – NZPPA & MAPPA Talanoa

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A MARAE IN WESTERN SYDNEY

A place to stand, connect and belong

Our final significant visit took us to Greystanes in Western Sydney, to the proposed site for a future Māori marae. Once again, people who have invested significant time and energy into this kaupapa generously gave their time to personally host us – The Sydney Marae Alliance.

They shared the history of the journey. They shared the challenges and they shared their aspirations for what this place could eventually become. Standing there and listening to their kōrero made it easy to imagine its significance.

• A place where Māori can gather.
• A place where whānau can connect.
• A place for tikanga.
• A place for te reo.
• A place for whakapapa.
• A place where future generations of Māori growing up in Sydney can feel a connection to who they are.

Photo: Liverpool West School – Sydney Marae Alliance

In a trip already filled with powerful moments, this was another one that gave us plenty to reflect upon.

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THREE DAYS — AND SO MUCH TO PROCESS

That evening we finished our journey with a timely catch-up with our MAPPA sisters, who — just like those of us leading schools back in New Zealand — had reached the end of Term 3!

There was laughter, conversation and that wonderful understanding that exists between principals who don’t really need to explain to one another what the end of a school term feels like and then suddenly our three days together were over. I still don’t think any of us have fully processed everything we experienced.

Photo: Time to unwind and have some fun!

Photo: Time to unwind and have some fun!

We travelled to Sydney believing we were going to connect and tautoko a developing principals’ association. We certainly did that. But somewhere along the way, something else happened. We discovered colleagues facing familiar challenges. We found leaders carrying aspirations similar to our own. We witnessed Indigenous, Māori and Pasifika cultures being celebrated in spaces thousands of kilometres from Aotearoa. We heard the voices of young people. We experienced extraordinary manaakitanga. We saw leadership grounded in community. And we made friendships.

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DIFFERENT JOURNEYS. STRONGER TOGETHER.

Perhaps the greatest lesson from these three days is that we don’t need to be identical to be connected. Our educational systems are different. Our communities have different histories. Our individual leadership journeys are different. NZPPA and MAPPA are at different stages in their organisational journeys. And that’s okay.

Because partnership isn’t about becoming the same. It is about recognising what each of us brings and asking what might become possible when we bring those strengths together.

To our MAPPA colleagues, the principals who opened their schools to us, the staff and students who welcomed us, the whānau who stood alongside them, and the educators, community leaders and organisations who shared their stories with us:

• Thank you.
• Thank you for opening your schools.
• Thank you for opening your communities.
• Thank you for sharing your challenges as well as your successes.
• Thank you for the kai, the laughter and the talanoa.
• But most importantly:
• Thank you for allowing us into your world.

Twenty-five NZPPA members travelled to Sydney. I suspect 25 slightly different leaders will return home. Our challenge now is to make sure that what began in Sydney doesn’t remain in Sydney. The talanoa must continue. The relationships must grow. And the possibilities we imagined together now need to become action.

Three days, two associations, two countries, many cultures and one increasingly connected village.

🇳🇿 ❤️ 🇦🇺

NZPPA x MAPPA

Different Journeys. Stronger Together.

Our People • Our Culture • Our Tomorrow.