2025 February Newsletter
Waitangi Hi! Waitangi Hā!
Toitū te Tiriti! Tēnā rā tātou katoa
We hope that you all had a wonderfully restful and rejuvenating break over the summer period, or at least some time to spend enjoying the sunshine with loved ones.
One minute we’re pulling Christmas crackers, reading ‘dad’ jokes, donning paper hats and overindulging in Christmas pudding. Then in the blink of an eye, we’re about to commemorate Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Where has the time gone?!
The Wilberforce Foundation will have representation at Waitangi this year; we will be there on the ground supporting multiple ministries. Of course, our prayers are with Ngāti Kawa and Ngāti Rāhiri, along with Bishop Kito Pikaahu (Te Pīhopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau), as they prepare to host the nation for this, the 185th anniversary of the signing of this nation-creating document.
We are aware of the current political tension in the nation where Te Tiriti is concerned, but in the midst of it all, Christian leaders are standing up as peacemakers, prophets, and people of justice.
We loved what Common Grace Aotearoa had to say during their recent oral submission on the Treaty Principles Bill: “We are an Independent organisation who can give you a sense of the strength of feeling among the churches in support of Te Tiriti. We have gathered signatures from over 600 church leaders, from the most senior leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Salvation Army, and Pentecostal denominations, it is the largest collective action against a political statement, by church leaders in recent years.”
E te iwi, please also check out the Ngā Manu Kōrohi training conferences on offer in Auckland (April 2) and Christchurch (April 4). These offerings are designed to enhance cross-cultural awareness and insights where Te Tiriti is concerned. See below article for more information. Please point your staff and church friends and leaders towards registering for one of these outstanding professional development opportunities.
Whatever the month of February has in store for you, may you be blessed abundantly and encouraged in the mighty work of the Lord in this land.
Ngā mihi manahau,
Jade Hohaia
Wilberforce Foundation Staff Member – Te Rongopai Portfolio
Wilberforce Foundation Christian Leadership Scholarships now open
We are delighted to announce that our Wilberforce Foundation Christian leadership scholarships are now open.
We are committed to equipping Christian leaders to lead confidently, faithfully, and graciously in dynamic times.
The Wilberforce Foundation Scholarship Committee grants scholarships to students who show leadership potential in the Christian sphere.
Scholarships for the February round are now open.
Scholarships are granted for a 12-month period.
Applications close March 15th 2025
Email Melanie to be sent further information: melanie@wilberforce.org.nz
Evangelism & Discipleship
Monday 3rd March
Recently, I’ve heard it said that the best way to follow Jesus is to actually follow
Jesus. However, finding the time and expertise to grow an evangelism and
discipleship culture within your organisation can be challenging. While it's central to our focus and mission, it often doesn't get the attention other critical areas demand.
To address this, we're hosting an evangelism and discipleship-focused Lunch and Learn webinar.
Our speakers, both with unique expertise, will cover the topics of creating a disciple-making culture and transitioning from ministry to mission.
We encourage you to gather your leadership team for this informative, helpful, and inspiring session.
The use of AI in fundraising
Friday 28th March
Lunch & Learn with Sean Triner!
Save the date for an extremely informative discussion from international fundraising specialist Sean Triner about the use of AI in fundraising.
Look out for more information about this session coming shortly.
Ngā Manu Kōrohi
Ngā Manu Kōrohi is a reference to the choral birds that usher in the new day: each with its own distinctive voice, their unison a reflection of the Creator’s aroha for Aotearoa. In this politically contentious time in our nation’s history, Ngā Manu Kōrohi offers a timely cross-cultural encounter curated by five wahine Māori for Tangata Tiriti*. Filled with stories, lessons, research, and cultural insights, this is a unique professional development opportunity for Tangata Tiriti.
Hosted by Lillian Murray (Tangata Tiriti), Ngā Manu Kōrohi invites men and women to step into greater awareness and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and engage practically with what it offers us all through its whakapapa of faith, relationship, and hope of reconciliation.
This is a karanga (call) to mahi (work) together towards a transformed Aotearoa.
*Non-Māori who acknowledge their identity are grounded in Aotearoa by way of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Event Details:
Cost: $150 per person
Please click to register below
Why does nature matter?
You’re invited to join A Rocha co-Founder, Peter Harris, at an in-person event in Christchurch. Peter will examine the beliefs that underlie the conservation effort, which range from a conviction that we need nature to survive to more mystical explanations about its intrinsic value. Find out how the Christian faith provides a beautifully coherent explanation of why nature matters, and explore potential reasons why despite that Christian communities have often been slow to engage with our current crises in the biosphere, if at all.
Event Details: Sat 14 Feb at South West Baptist Church, Christchurch
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
Our Wilberforce Community newsletter was such a hit last year that we have decided to continue its publication. If you have any announcements, stories, or events you’d like to share with our community please send them to us.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
Deadline for article submissions: The 10th of every month.
The next newsletter will be distributed on February 18th.
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you.
In this section of our newsletter, we invite a leader within our network or team to share what they've been reading and/or listening to lately.
This month we have a contribution from Dr. Shireen Chua who has a PhD in Leadership and Managing a Culturally Diverse Organisation Inclusively from Waikato Management School and is the owner of Third Culture Solutions.
Introducing Dr. Shireen Chua
Dr. Shireen Chua completed her PhD in 2024. She is grateful to the Wilberforce Foundation for part-sponsoring her studies.
Currently, she is a Teaching Fellow at Waikato University while growing her business, Third Culture Solutions, which focuses on intercultural leadership development and facilitating adaptive organisational change. As a professional speaker, consultant, coach, and facilitator, she helps leaders and organisations develop intercultural agility, enabling them to thrive in today’s complex world.
Here are Shireen's recommendations:
This summer, my reading list has grown, and I’ve found myself returning to a few standout books that have challenged my thinking and deepened my understanding of leadership, transformation, and faith.
Immunity to Change – Robert Kegan & Lisa Lahey
Why do individuals, teams, and organisations struggle with real change? This book unpacks the hidden, competing core beliefs that often block progress. It’s not about a lack of effort—it’s about uncovering what’s really in the way. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for any leader or manager looking to unlock transformation.
I’ve personally used these insights in coaching, witnessing clients shed lifelong behaviours in just one session. Highly recommended reading—and also the summer textbook for the university course I’ve been tutoring.
Be More Pirate – Sam Conniff Allende
The title alone intrigued me, and this book came highly recommended. It explores the untold story of Golden Age pirates—not just as outlaws but as pioneers of social and political equality, fair pay, health insurance, and workplace reform.
These renegades rewrote the rules and challenged oppressive systems, living by five key principles:
- Rebel – Stand up to the status quo.
- Rewrite – Change the rules.
- Reorganise – Collaborate for impact.
- Redistribute – Share power and fight exploitation.
- Retell – Own and reshape your story.
A thought-provoking read—I plan to embrace some of these principles in 2025. So, why not be more pirate this year?
When God Became White – Grace Ji-Sun Kim
The reactions to this book’s title alone often reveal where people are in their intercultural journey. Grace Kim challenges us to reflect on our default image of God: “We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”
This book traces how Jesus came to be depicted as white, examining the historical roots and theological consequences of that perception. It’s a confronting yet necessary read, challenging hidden worldviews shaped by colonisation and racism. It has pushed me to reflect deeply on how I see and worship Jesus.
Leading for Good
As I continue to grow in leadership development, this podcast—part of Global Leadership Associates—has been a valuable resource. It connects me with a global network of leaders seeking to bring transformation for good. As a certified facilitator of the MyWV tool, I’ve found it to be both insightful and inspiring.
Love as a Business Imperative – Coaches Rising
This episode explores how love—something we as followers of Jesus have always known to be central—is now becoming a key topic in leadership development. It’s fascinating to see how the world is catching up to principles God has already set in motion. This podcast has encouraged me to lean deeper into these conversations and recognise how God is already at work.
