Demonstrating our commitment to working with Māori as tangata whenua
It’s now almost eight years since Fire and Emergency published our commitment to working with Māori as tangata whenua and this has led to a range of initiatives.
Just ahead of Waitangi Day 2026, we’re taking a beat to reflect on how our leaders are demonstrating this commitment in in their own rohe (Region).
Te Ihu Region Manager Brad Mosby recognises working with iwi and hapū is key to the success of our mahi – 'their local knowledge, support, and influence in our communities have a far greater reach into places where we need it the most such as isolated and vulnerable communities.'
From supporting tailored fire safety messaging via the Pou Takawaenga Māori and Community Risk Management teams for Māori communities, to supporting karakia and waiata travel cards for all Te Ihu Regional staff, Brad recognises these initiatives contribute to the bigger picture - 'We acknowledge the importance of making sure these relationships are enduring and respectful, not just transactional.'
Brad also leads by example by hosting Tahutahu Wairua on several occasions – our Fire and Emergency online start to karakia and waiata.
Manager Leadership Development Delwyn Neill leads a team constantly looking for ways to guide and develop our leaders across the organisation.
'Working in the Leadership Development space, we need to understand how to relate to people and part of that is understanding ourselves better in a wider cultural context. We want leaders to promote a safe, positive, and diverse working environment.'
Delwyn and the team are collaborating with the Pou Whirinaki Team to support the delivery of the Leadership Development Framework.
Manawatū Whanganui District Manager Nigel Dravitzki reflected on the importance of involving iwi during the response at the Tongariro fire in November 2025.
'Iwi were embedded in the Incident Management Team at an early stage given their local knowledge and ability to connect us with others who could support the response.'
Nigel acknowledges the relationship between iwi, Fire and Emergency, and other local agencies has been decades in the making. He keeps it alive through whanaungatanga – seeking opportunities to connect, and plans to stop in for a cup of tea and a scone soon.
Chief Data and Analytics Officer Hamish McEwen believes the mark of a good team is one based around culture and identity. He recently completed our organisation’s cultural capability self-assessment tool Te Aho Tapu and encouraged his team to do so.
Together, they’ve selected two learning areas to focus on which has resulted in the team completing anti-racism training and they have a guided hikoi scheduled through Pōneke with Manako to increase their knowledge of Māori history and significant landmarks. As our organisation’s Data and Analytics specialists, Hamish believes 'if a team has a strong culture and identity, the rest will sort itself out'.
Wellington District Group Manager Craig Cottrill leads a group of Career and Volunteer Fire Stations in the Wairarapa. He recently completed a Level 1 te reo Māori class to increase his ability to connect with Māori in his community.
'I’m just at the start of my reo journey and having the Pou Takawaenga Māori is great at incidents but we also want to take full ownership of knowing iwi and other Māori entities in our communities. Emergency response is much smoother when you know them and they know you.'
Are you a leader and want to see how you and your team can get involved?
Here are a few options:
- See what your team’s cultural capability levels are at by getting them to complete our cultural capability Self-Assessment Tool Te Aho Tapu(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link).
- Get your Tohu by reading He Tīmatanga Kōrero – An Introductory Guide to Kaupapa Māori at Fire and Emergency then complete the online module. Even better, complete it as a team like these folks!
- Download the Whare Kōrero app and start your reo journey in the comfort of your own company.
- Register for online te reo Māori classes(external link)(external link)(external link)(external link). View a video of previous participants’ experiences. Registrations close this Wednesday, 4 February!
- Start your week with our organisation’s online Monday morning karakia and waiata – Tahutahu Wairua. You can join from anywhere across the motu (country).
For support with any of the above options email the Pou Whirinaki Team at teahotapu@fireandemergency.nz