Te Mana Hononga webinar series begins

Last Wednesday 13 May, Te Pou welcomed more than 50 kaimahi, leaders, people with lived experience, and sector representatives from across Aotearoa to the first webinar in the Te Mana Hononga: The Power of Connection series.

The introductory session marked the beginning of a four-part webinar series exploring Te Mana Hononga, an Aotearoa-centric framework that builds on the Six Core Strategies© to support least restrictive practice.

Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Māori values, Pasifika models of care, and lived experience leadership, the framework focuses on strengthening relationships, leadership, equity, and culturally grounded approaches to reducing restrictive practices across services.

During the webinar, participants were introduced to the six rautaki (strategies) that make up Te Mana Hononga, along with the supporting resources designed to help services apply the framework in everyday practice.

A strong theme throughout the session was the importance of connection – hononga – and the collective responsibility shared across the sector to create safe, compassionate, and culturally responsive services for tāngata whai ora and whānau.

The webinar also featured a special contribution from Dr Kevin Ann Huckshorn, author of the Six Core Strategies©. Dr Huckshorn reflected on the importance of this work and acknowledged the significance of evolving the Six Core Strategies© within an Aotearoa context. She recognised the leadership being shown through this kaupapa and the commitment to developing a framework grounded in local knowledge systems, lived experience, and culturally responsive practice. Her contribution reinforced the shared aspiration of reducing restrictive practices while strengthening dignity, safety, equity, and connection across services.

The webinar series continues over the coming weeks, with each session exploring paired rautaki and their practical application within services and teams.

Upcoming sessions will focus on:

• lived experience leadership and culturally grounded leadership
• workforce capability and equity-focused data practices
• harm reduction, de-escalation, and restorative approaches.

Early feedback from participants highlighted strong support for the framework and its practical application across the sector. When asked whether they intended applying Te Mana Hononga within their mahi, 100 percent of participants responded “yes”.

Participants reflected positively on the alignment between the framework and culturally grounded practice, with one attendee sharing:

“My leadership is based in mātauranga Māori - the pathways for healing are based in pūrākau and mātauranga - this is what works.”

Others spoke about the practical value of the framework and supporting resources:

“I am looking forward to using the tools discussed in order to improve outcomes for my patients.”

“Implementing this in my role and continuing to make this an overarching priority.”

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who joined the first session and contributed to the kōrero.

Please join us on Wednesday 27 May 2026: 12:00pm - 1:30pm for webinar two, which focuses on the two rautaki, Mātau ā-wheako and Rangatiratanga, and explores lived experience leadership and culturally grounded leadership.

Learn more about Te Mana Hononga and register for upcoming webinars.