Written by Sinead Cahill-Fahey, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
I entered the final retreat with massively mixed emotions. Excited to see my wonderful peers in the NZLP cohort of 2023, mentally exhausted from a big year and just a little bit heartbroken that we were coming into the final days of such an incredible journey. But, as with every retreat, the moment we sat down I felt totally present — immediately calmed, grounded and deeply safe.
During this retreat we presented our vision for 2050 to a group of NZLP alumni from 2022. We shared reflections on our growth and our hopes for an evolved Aotearoa: where Te Tiriti o Waitangi is fully embraced, Te Reo Māori is spoken proudly and widely, Te Taiao is restoring, and our mokopuna feel comfortable to express themselves freely, to live truly and unapologetically as themselves and to care deeply about the world around them. It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on our learnings from the year, all the incredible speakers we’d heard from, and to consider what we hold the responsibility to influence, as graduates of NZLP and leaders in Aotearoa.
We also had the opportunity to welcome Dame Jo Brosnahan back into our circle and to each reflect on our personal experiences of the year, what we’d learned and what we were going to do next. Each person shared deep gratitude for the programme, for the wonderful facilitators, Dan, Anna and Cecilia, and for the incredible leaders they had shared the year with. It felt like an opportunity to celebrate how far we’d come, and to reflect on how much more we still have to do.
Much of this retreat was spent discussing where we’d landed on the year’s theme of Courageous Leadership. Initially, when thinking about what courageous leadership looks like, you might think about fearlessness: of fighting for your voice to be heard and of leaning into confrontation. In the early months of the programme, I think we’d all been waiting to see courageous leadership show up in our group in this way, for someone to stand up and fiercely disagree with the group, or for raruraru to be a constant feature in our circles. Then, retreat after retreat, this was not our experience at all.
Instead, we listened deeply to one another’s (and our speakers’) points of view, then asked questions if we didn’t understand. We supported each other and gave everyone space to show up in whatever way they felt comfortable. Each person showed vulnerability and honesty, often sharing more than they’d ever shared with anyone before — which was always met by quiet care, encouragement, and a supportive hug. Where we landed was that, for the NZLP cohort of 2023, courageous leadership means creating space for others to be heard. It means truly listening to others, even if their opinions or thoughts differ from your own. And most importantly, it means showing and celebrating vulnerability.
I couldn’t be more proud to be a member of the NZLP cohort of 2023. Instead of leaving the retreat feeling like it was the end of the road, it felt like the journey with this wonderful group of humans was only just beginning.