Tuia Connect Consulting

09/06/2026

One thing we're noticing as the I've Got Your Back journey continues with Enviro NZ is the power of people sharing their stories.

A reflection shared with us after the recent Hamilton sessions was the impact of managers opening up first. Their willingness to share some of what was sitting under the iceberg seemed to give permission for others to do the same.

It was pretty cool to see people connecting with colleagues they don't usually connect with, sharing their mental health and wellbeing stories, and inspiring others through their honesty.

At the heart of it is creating a work environment where you're able to speak up when you're not okay.

A real privilege for Tanz to be part of this waka alongside Corinne Taylor and the wider Enviro NZ team.

Ngā mihi to everyone who continues to show up, share their experiences, and look out for one another.

03/06/2026

A great couple of days in Dunedin last month kicking off another Kaiarahi o Ākengokengo Leadership Programme with Fulton Hogan.

This new cohort is beginning a leadership journey that will continue over the coming months, bringing people together from across the business to learn, connect, and challenge themselves as leaders.

We're looking forward to seeing where the journey takes them.

27/05/2026

Yesterday we spent morning at the first AI Peer Group session with Yorb and Business Whanganui.

Some really good honest conversation around how people are feeling about AI, where it’s already showing up in their business, and what practical use actually looks like for SMEs.

For us, we see it as an opportunity to automate and streamline the poke your eyes out admin and repetitive stuff so we have more time and energy for the human side of work like relationships, creativity, leadership, and making an impact for the better.

Lots to think about. We're looking forward to seeing where these conversations go from here.

Thanks to Daniel, Heather and Rebecca from Yorb and the AI curious and forward thinking Whanganui businesses that joined us today for the first AI Peer Group gathering.

AI is already shaping how work gets done. The question for business is how to use it in a way that makes sense for your organisation, your people, and your future direction.

Today’s session was about setting the foundation for the group together — shaping the focus, priorities, and format, then establishing a rhythm that works for the businesses involved.

The discussion covered:
• where AI is already showing up in business operations
• turning opportunity into practical action
• governance, risk, and data considerations
• learning alongside others facing similar decisions
• what responsible and useful adoption looks like in practice

This group is designed for business owners, leaders, and managers who want practical discussion, shared learning, peer support, and accountability — not a presentation series or “AI hype” session.

A strong starting point with good conversation, good questions, and openness around both opportunities and challenges.

Looking forward to reconnecting in three months to hear what progress businesses have made, share experiences, set new goals, and continue building practical capability together.

We are taking EOIs for another cohort. Email us to register your interest [email protected]

25/05/2026

Last week we had the privilege of spending time with the team at Yorb in Palmerston North, facilitating a cultural intelligence session focused on building understanding and confidence in this space.

What stood out was the openness in the room. We had a great kōrero with great curious questions. It was a safe and brave space where people were willing to lean in, have a go, and learn.

One of the biggest conversations was around the idea that engagement is about more than process or meetings. It’s about relationships, respect, communication, and how we show up.

Ngā mihi nui to the Yorb team for having us.

19/05/2026

The journey begins where it all started for Fulton Hogan in Dunedin for our latest cohort of Kaiārahi o Ākengokengo Leadership Programme.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved today, an inspiring start, strong kōrero, and exciting times ahead as we continue to grow leaders who will shape the future.

01/05/2026

We’ve just wrapped up Navigating the Awa with Te Oranganui, a two-day leadership programme for their team.

It’s focused on how we lead when things aren’t straightforward. Reading the current, staying steady, and making good calls in the moment.

Day one is about your own leadership. How you show up, what you bring, what you avoid, and how that plays out under pressure.

Day two shifts to your team. How you build trust, have the conversations that matter, and what you’re creating around you.

A lot of honest kōrero across the two days.

We got into what builds trust and what quietly breaks it, what we tolerate (even when we know we shouldn’t), and how people actually feel at work, because that’s usually where the real story is.

Simple reflections, but not always easy:

–> where are we strong
–> where are we drifting
–> what needs to lift and shift

You could feel the shift as we went. More openness, more ownership, and a bit more courage in the room.

Appreciate the group for showing up the way they did and leaning in.

Ngā mihi nui!
Tuia Connect

20/04/2026

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐚?

As many of our clients know, we use the waka analogy a lot. One team even made shirts with it on. Tuia merch anyone?

But it’s stuck for a reason, and here’s how we relate it to culture.

A waka only really moves when everyone paddles together. Not just the people at the front, and not just when things are going well, but when everyone does their bit.

You notice it more when that’s not happening. You can usually feel it before anyone says anything. Someone who’s normally pretty onto it and engaged goes a bit quiet, or conversations stay surface level without getting to the real stuff underneath. You leave a meeting and think… yeah, we didn’t really get into it.

Usually it’s nothing big you can pinpoint, but you still find yourself looking around thinking, what’s going on with this team? And fair enough, sometimes that is the right question. But a lot of the time it’s not that simple. Most of the time, what’s showing up isn’t the real issue, it’s just the surface of it.

Which is why the question we usually keep coming back to is a bit closer to home - what am I bringing to this waka right now?

Am I being clear, or kind of hoping people pick it up?
Am I actually listening to understand, or just saying I am?
Am I asking curious questions, or just running through the motions?
Am I creating a safe and brave space where people can come to me with anything?
Are we having quality conversations, or just quick check-ins so we can move on?
And who am I bringing on the waka with me?

And then the really simple one - if something feels off, do I actually deal with it or just leave it there and hope it sorts itself out?

It’s the small things that build up over time, but these small things are also what people remember, and the things that shape the feel of a team.

At the end of the day, most people are trying to figure out where they fit, how they add value, and what this is all actually for. And that’s where it comes back to everyone. Everyone’s in it and everyone affects it. Maybe some more than others, but no one’s neutral.

It doesn’t need to be a major reset either. Half the time it’s just one honest kōrero, and then actually doing something about it. That’s leadership, really - reflection and action.

We see this a lot with the awesome humans we get to work with. Good people, good teams… just a bit out of sync. But once people are willing to look at their part in it, things usually start to shift pretty quickly.

So… are you on the waka?

06/04/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 🌿

We were recently back with the team at Dominion Constructors Ltd and a fresh cohort stepping into Day 1 of our Cultural Awareness programme.

We love that good energy you get when people come in open and ready to kōrero.

People sometimes assume cultural awareness is a compliance tick boxing type exercise.

What it actually is, is a room full of people having conversations they don't usually get to have at work and leaving a little different for it.

Proud to be continuing this mahi with the Dominion whānau.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who showed up.

23/03/2026

Tanz has been on the road down south recently with the teams at WellSouth Community.

Dunedin. Invercargill. Cromwell. Four workshops with the people who are right on the frontline every day.

We spent time together in our Customer Experience (CX) and De-escalation in Action workshops, focusing on how we show up in those everyday moments that matter, and how to respond when things get tough.

Practical tools for communication. Creating positive patient experiences from first contact. Handling high-pressure conversations with confidence and care.

Because here's the thing about frontline roles: the emotional load is constant, and it rarely gets named. When people have the tools to recognise pressure and respond well, in themselves and in others, everything shifts. The experience for the patient. The experience for the person delivering the care.

And honestly… what an awesome bunch of humans.

The kind of people who show up, do the mahi, look after others, and still find space for a laugh along the way.

Real conversations, great energy, and tools that actually make a difference when it counts.

As always, feedback is a gift:

"Fantastic day with so much practical knowledge imparted in a safe and interesting way, have recommended to colleagues!"

Special shout out to Invercargill, Tanz's home turf. Safe to say she was right at home. Probably a bit too comfortable 😄

Big thanks to WellSouth for having us, for backing their people, and creating the space for this. This is exactly the kind of investment that makes a difference before things get hard.

He waka eke noa.

09/03/2026

A couple of weeks ago our Tuia Connect whānau and extended whānau had the privilege of being asked to be part of leading a mihi whakatau with the team at NPDL (Neptune Pacific Direct Line).

This was to welcome their new President Kim A Kristensen of Neptune and the Senior Vice President Damir Hlebec of the The Wonderful Company, who had flown in from Singapore and LA.

What we noticed straight away was how open people were. Open to learning more, to asking questions, and how we can support them on thier journey in a genuine authentic way.

Grateful for the trust, and looking forward to seeing where the journey continues from here.