Whakataukī
Translation
1. He waka eke noa
We are al in this together
Notes for Kaihautū: There are two key messages in this whakataukī. The first is associated with
working towards a common/col ective goal. In leadership terms this requires goal setting and
planning the best way forward. The second message is the importance of teamwork and
leveraging everyone’s skil s and experiences to accomplish the task.
2. Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi ki te
Pursue excellence – should you stumble,
tūohu koe, me maunga teitei!
let it be to a lofty mountain
Notes for Kaihautū: There are at least three sets of leadership qualities captured in this
whakataukī. ‘Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi’ is a chal enge to have vision, purpose and ambition. ‘Ki
te tūohu koe’ is a reminder to act with courage and humility and to learn and grow from mistakes
to become more resilient. ‘Me maunga teitei’ reminds us to set high standards and to grow and
develop new skil sets and experiences in the journey to accomplish our goals.
3. E kore a Parawhenuamea e haere,
Parawhenuamea would not flow if it
ki te kore a Rakahore
were not for Rakahore
Notes for Kaihautū: Parawhenuamea is the atua hine of freshwater. She is the water that bubbles
up from the earth emerging at puna. Rakahore is the atua tāne of rocks and stones. This
whakataukī is a reminder of the symbiotic relationship between Parawhenuamea and Rakahore.
Water cannot flow without the presence of rock. In leadership terms this whakataukī can point to
the importance of mahitahi and a team having complementary skil sets. Rakahore’s presence
also points to strength, stability and endurance. This whakataukī also touches on the importance
of transformation, movement and change. For example, the actions of Parawhenuamea
associated with erosion and flooding can be destructive and transforming. This could link to
leadership notions of adaptability and influence or power through persistence.
4. Ko Rangi e tū iho nei ko Papa e tākato nei Rangi is above and Papa is below
Notes for Kaihautū: This whakataukī acknowledges the fundamental relationship of Rangi
and Papa, sky and earth and their descendants – ira atua and ira tangata. It is a reminder
of the importance of whakapapa and pūrākau as ways to understand the Māori world.
Rangi represents vision, ideas and strategy. Papa represents groundedness, action and
practical leadership (i.e. leadership for real-world situations). A strong leader has both
qualities - vision and engages in practical action.
There are several messages about leadership in this whakataukī. First, effective
leadership is grounded in te ao Māori and whakapapa. So, there are expectations that
leadership should empower Māori communities and contribute to collective wellbeing.
Second, effective leadership acknowledges relationships and interconnectedness
between people, place and purpose. Third, effective leadership seeks to maintain
balance through complementality i.e. strategy and empathy, strength and humility, vision
and action.
5. Me aro koe i te hā o Hineahuone
Respect the dignity and power of
Hineahuone
Notes for Kaihautū: This whakataukī is a reminder to respect the inherent worth and value
of a person. And, to engage with people with dignity or in a mana-enhancing way. A good
leader knows the strengths of each member of the team and how to maximise multiple
contributions. This whakataukī is also a reminder of the important contributions that
mana wāhine and balance can bring.
6. Ko te whaea te takere o te waka
Mothers are the hull of the canoe
Notes for Kaihautū: The takere is the hul of a canoe. The hul gives the canoe its shape, floatation
and stability. Without the takere the waka cannot float or function. This whakataukī is a reminder
of the importance of mana wahine, the power and influence of female energy including
mātauranga-ā-hine. For example, mothers are the heart of the whānau and keep the whānau
together. This whakataukī promotes leadership approaches that supports/nurtures, enables,
steadies and sustains communities.
7. Te ngaungau a Hine-moana
The repeated chewing of Hine-moana
Notes for Kaihautū: This whakataukī talks to the constant and competing interactions of Hine
moana and Hine oneone, the sea and the land. Sometimes it is balanced, other times
destructive. It is a reminder that strength, contest and conflict are natural processes. As
leadership qualities an emphasis is placed on persistence, resilience or shaping others through
constant, meaningful influence. The whakataukī could also be used to encourage balancing
completing influences or demands.
Example: Te ngāunga a Hine-moana, reminds us that leadership is about the strength to
keep moving forward, shaping the world around you with every rising tide.
8. Ko Tū a waho, ko Rongo a roto
Tūmatauenga is outside, Rongomatāne is
within
Notes for Kaihautū: This whakatauki recognises that effective leadership involves balancing
sometimes opposing values (i.e. confrontation and resolution, strength and vulnerability,
decisiveness and adaptability, empathy and rationality). This whakataukī is a reminder to act with
integrity drawing on multiple qualities and approaches to achieve balance and connection.
Example: Ko Tū a waho, ko Rongo a roto encourages us to find the balance between external
strength and inner calm.
9. Ko Tangaroa ara rau
Tangaroa of many paths
Notes for Kaihautū: This whakataukī is a reminder that Tangaroa cannot be confined to a single
route. This is reflected in the whakapapa of the descendents of Tangaroa. Tangaroa had Punga
who had Ikatere and Tūtewehiwehi. Ikatere’s offspring went to the sea (i.e fish) and
Tūtewehiwehi’s offspring went inland (i.e. repiles). Another way to think about this is that
Tangaroa has many expressions, movements or directions. So, there are multiple ways to achieve
a goal. Be adaptable and fluid to navigate complexity. Respect multiple approaches, a diversity of
thought, background and method.
Example: Ko Tangaroa, ara rau — leadership doesn’t look the same for everyone. Our
strength is in our ability to shift, flow, and honour many paths.
10. Ko Māui tinihanga koe
Be resourceful like Māui
Notes to kaihautū: This whakataukī is a reminder of the transformative and often
disruptive qualities of Māui. We can embody these qualities by having the courage to
make difficult decisions, take calculated risks and innovate. This whakataukī is about
pushing boundaries and stepping outside your comfort zone for growth. So, it’s about
problem-solving, being creative, challenging the status quo, trying new approaches,
learning from failure, and persistence. It is also important to remember that Māui was
supported by others (his kuia, his brothers and his father). This is a reminder to seek
advice, support and help to complete tasks.
