The 2025 Instep Young Leaders cohort started their journey with a Noho Marae at Te Whetu o Te Rangi Marae, an experience that brought them closer, not only to each other but to the history and tikanga of the Marae. The day commenced with a welcoming pōhiri, led by Renee Delarmere and Taurua Faulkner, marking the moment they stepped onto the marae as manuhiri and into an experience that would shape the year ahead.

Once the formalities were complete, the students settled in, shaking off any nerves and getting to know one another. They didn’t stay strangers for long. A colours workshop, run by the Priority One communications team, gave them insight into their own strengths and how they worked as part of a team. Based on a personality profiling system, the colours workshop helps people understand their natural communication styles, decision-making processes, and how they respond to challenges. Some students discovered they were ‘reds’, direct and action-oriented, while others identified as ‘blues’, driven by logic and analysis. The ‘greens’ in the room brought a creative, big-picture perspective, while the ‘yellows’ embodied enthusiasm and sociable flexibility. As they worked through activities and discussions, they started recognising these traits in themselves and in each other, gaining a deeper understanding of how they could collaborate effectively throughout the year.

By the evening, leadership was happening naturally. The students took charge of icebreaker activities, throwing themselves into games that had everyone laughing, even long after they were supposed to be winding down for the night. The structured parts of the noho blended into the unstructured moments—shared meals, late-night chats, quiet check-ins with each other. Without trying, they were already building the connections that will carry them through the year ahead.

The second day deepened those connections, shifting focus to te ao Māori and the stories that live within the marae. Shepherd Teepa, a descendant of the whenua, guided them through a mau rākau session, an introduction to the traditional Māori martial art involving wooden fighting staffs. But the lesson wasn’t just about technique—it was about discipline, respect, and whakapapa. As the students stood in formation, gripping the rākau in their hands, they listened as Shepherd explained the deeper meaning behind the practice. More than just a skill for combat, mau rākau is a form of storytelling and connection to tūpuna, a practice that strengthens not only the body but also the mind and spirit.

As they moved through the drills, students began to appreciate the precision and focus required. Each stance and movement had intent, mirroring the leadership journey they were beginning—learning when to stand firm, when to be flexible, and when to move together as one. For many, it was a humbling experience, a moment to step outside their comfort zone and into a tradition that had been passed down for generations.

By the time the noho wrapped up, the students were exhausted but uplifted. With little sleep but full hearts, they reflected on what the experience had given them—confidence, connection, and a strong foundation for the journey ahead. Over the rest of the year they will explore other forms of leadership —business, civic, community, and build connections that will help them better understand themselves and their future pathway.