Who should join
What it covers
- Enterprise and strategic leadership
- Leading through change and uncertainty
- Democracy and governance
- Ethical leadership
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi in local government
- Stakeholder relationships, influence and negotiation
- Political acumen
- Long-term planning, risk and legislation
- Local government finance
- Resilience and mental fitness
- Communication and storytelling
Build the knowledge, judgement and relationships needed to lead across a council, not only within your own area.
The Taituarā Senior Leaders in Local Government Programme is designed for experienced local government leaders with responsibility for significant functions, business groups or portfolios.
Across four in-person blocks, participants work with experienced facilitators, guest speakers and peers to examine the practical challenges of senior leadership in local government.
2027 Wellington cohort
- Block 1: Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 February 2027
- Block 2: Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 March 2027
- Block 3: Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 April 2027
- Block 4: Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 May 2027
Duration: 10 in-person days
Format: Facilitator-led group learning, guest speakers, case studies and practical activities
Location: Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club
How the programme works
The programme combines facilitated learning with guest speakers, local government examples, practical activities and peer discussion.
Participants are encouraged to test ideas in their workplace between blocks and reflect on what they have applied when the cohort comes back together.
The planned content may be adjusted where a significant sector development or an emerging cohort need makes another focus more useful.
This programme reflects the planned content at the time of publication. We may adjust some content, examples or speakers to respond to significant changes or emerging needs in the local government sector.
Programme overview
Block 1 - Enterprise Leadership in Local Government
Explore the shift from leading a business group to contributing to the leadership of the whole council. Topics include enterprise and strategic thinking, working effectively within an executive leadership team, democracy and governance and leading through change and uncertainty. In this block we also explore practical Te Tiriti leadership, te ao Māori perspectives, expectations of council leaders, and how Te Tiriti can inform leadership decisions, systems and relationships.
Key learning topics
- Enterprise and strategic thinking
- Leading across the whole council
- Executive leadership team effectiveness
- Democracy and governance
- Leading through change and uncertainty
- Te Tiriti leadership
- Te ao Māori perspectives
- Leadership decision-making and relationships
Block 2 - Ethics, relationships and political acumen
Examine ethical leadership, stakeholder dynamics, partnership building, influence and negotiation. Participants will also consider the local government political environment and the relationship between elected members and management.
Key learning topics
- Ethical leadership
- Stakeholder relationships
- Partnership building
- Influence and negotiation
- Political acumen
- Elected member–management relationships
Block 3 - Long-term planning, risk and legislation
Consider the senior leader’s role in long-term planning, organisational risk and council decision-making. This block also covers relevant legislative frameworks and leadership during emergencies and crises.
Key learning topics
- Long-term planning
- Organisational risk
- Council decision-making
- Legislative frameworks
- Emergency and crisis leadership
Block 4 - Finance, resilience and communication
Build knowledge of local government finance and financial stewardship, alongside practical approaches to resilience and mental fitness. The programme concludes with communication practice, reflection and a leadership action plan.
Key learning topics
- Finance in local government
- Financial stewardship
- Resilience and mental fitness
- Leadership communication
- Reflection and development
- Leadership action planning
Your facilitator and guest speakers
Dr Paul Wood
Dr Paul Wood
Dr Paul Wood overcame a troubled past marked by crime, addiction, and incarceration. After spending over a decade in some of New Zealand’s toughest prisons, he emerged with a newfound purpose. Now, he dedicates his life to helping others realise their potential through bespoke leadership and organisational development programmes, workshops and speaking engagements.
“Build your dream leadership team by empowering them to gain the skills and capabilities required to reach local government leadership excellence.”
Scott Summerfield
Scott Summerfield
Scott Summerfield (Tangata Tiriti) is Kaiarataki at Hononga Consulting. He is an unashamed fan of the impact and potential of local government, with over a decade of experience working across a wide range of councils across the motu. Scott acknowledges the humble and dedicated efforts of kaimahi across the sector on behalf of their communities to address the current significant challenges for local government.
Hononga Consulting partners with Taituarā and directly with many councils across Aotearoa to improve organisational Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsiveness in local government, and the Te Tiriti practice of local government kaimahi. He lives in eastern Wairarapa.
Lisa Hopa
Lisa Hopa
He mokopuna tenei o nga waka matua e wha, ko Kurahaupo, ko Tainui, ko Te Arawa hoki. I tipu ake au I raro i a Tararua maunga, no roto mai o te Wairarapa. Inaianei, e noho ana maua ko taku tamahine kei reira.
With a passion for education and personal growth, my academic journey has been a lifetime pursuit. With double undergraduate degrees in a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Māori Studies and a Bachelor of Physical Education, I also hold a Master of Professional Accounting and a Master of International Security. My educational pursuits are more recently centred around indigenous security and development issues, and how He Whakaputanga and Te Titiri o Waitangi can be reaffirmed in the defence and security realm.
Professionally, I have dedicated ten years to the Army as a General List Medical Officer, honing my leadership skills in high-pressure environments. My final regular force role was as a Senior Advisor Māori, utilizing my background and expertise to develop policy and advance Māori initiatives for service people. Prior to military service, I worked both overseas and locally as an accountant. In January 2026 I begin a new role as Pou Mataamua (CEO) for my iwi, Rangitane o Tamaki nui-a-Rua.
Family is the cornerstone of my life. I am a proud parent to one daughter, Kaia, and we share our home with two beloved furry whānau members. When not working, I enjoy engaging in various sports and physical activities, spending quality time with my wider family, traveling to new places, and continuously pursuing education.
With a rich tapestry of experiences, I share a commitment to community and service, education, and personal development, that has supported a multifaceted career and life journey.
