In a landscape of shifting tides and constant change, what remains unmoved? This year, we gather under the watchful eye of koro Taranaki—a symbol of strength that stands firm through wind, rain, and time. Like the Maunga, local government leadership requires a foundation that is grounded, present, and unshakable.  

Taranaki he puna wai e kore e mimiti, ka koropupū tonu, ka koropupū tonu  

May the springs of Taranaki not demonise, instead continue to sustain our people forever.

This hui is an invitation to gather strength, not alone, but alongside those who understand the terrain you’re navigating. Here on this whenua, where the legacy of Parihaka speaks to principled leadership under pressure, we are reminded that resilience is more than holding steady. It is adapting, innovating, and moving forward together. At a time of financial constraint and system reform, no one leader has all the answers. But together, we hold experience, insight, and perspective.  

At Te Hui Taituarā, we will explore: 

• Steady Leadership: How to remain a constant for your community amidst legislative and structural change.
• Moral Courage: Drawing lessons from peaceful resistance to lead with heart and backbone.
• Collective Strength: Embracing kotahitanga to find the strength that only emerges when we stand together. 

Join your peers to wananga, gain renewed perspective, and build the relationships that sustain leadership beyond the room. Together, we move from surviving the moment to shaping what comes next.