Testimonials

  "My opinion of Whiria te Tāngata is that it is such a unique, heartfelt, and invaluable programme! But ‘unique’, ‘heartfelt’, and ‘invaluable’ programmes don’t just spurn out of nowhere. They typically come from people who hold those characteristics themselves, which is why the leading from the TTM crew: Carla, Rā, Jewels and Saarah, has been key to WTT’s success. The way these wāhine work is imperative for our sector. They invite people to ‘take on’ Mātauranga Māori, but never in a threatening manner. If your level of Mātauranga Māori is at zero, they’re don’t condemn you for that, but instead gently lead you towards lifting your understanding and application of it. 

Thank you Carla, Rā, Jewels and Saarah for your hard mahi on WTT. You ladies rock!!"

 "It has been delightful working with a well-oiled machine lead by three strong wāhine toa from different parts of the motu.  The team has strong sensibility and accountability to the organisation and their roles.  It is a bonus that they have lived experience of mātauranga Māori, which has supported the different outcomes of those institutions or organisations in the information sector.

The depth of knowledge and expertise they bring to succession planning, future career opportunities and professional development is such that many organisations should be supporting their colleagues or employees to be part of this wonderful programme and team.  The capacity of the team to meet outcomes in a timely fashion are exceptional and it has been a pleasure to have the team support our future aspirations."

" It was an absolute pleasure to work with Saarah, with support from Rā, at the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry. They honoured the experiences of survivors and approached the mahi in a humble, compassionate and empathetic way. Saarah and Rā were deeply committed to the kaupapa and played an important role in delivery of the final report. Always solutions-focused and willing to pitch in anywhere to help, I am looking forward to the next time I get to work with the lovely wāhine of TTM consultancy. Ngā mihinui kōrua!

 "I could also use the tukutuku metaphor to illustrate the relationship between TTM and Te Rōpū Whakahau. The word tukutuku describes the motion of passing fibres to and through. Ka tuku atu, ka tuku mai. 

When a tukutuku is being created, you have someone on the front and someone on the back. Each person has a role to do, and the other trusts that the cord being passed back is in the correct place to complete the agreed pattern. The fibres are passed through the kaho and the kākaho to create the pattern. Each weaver trusts their partner is doing their assigned role and following the correct tauira or pattern, that the knots are firm and tidy, and the stitching techniques are secure and balanced."