Matariki is a moment. A pause. A breath between what has been and what could be. For many, it marks the Māori New Year, a time to remember, reset, and reimagine. But it’s also a powerful opportunity for us as leaders to reflect not just on what we do, but on how and why we do it.
Leadership, especially for Māori and Pasifika, doesn’t live in a job title. It lives in the way we show up for our people, in the values we hold, and in the legacy we’re building, whether we realise it or not.
So as Matariki comes around again, we ask: what has the past year taught you?
Where Have You Been?
Look back. Not with judgement, but with curiosity.
What moments stretched you? Where did you show courage? When did you drift off course, and what helped you find your way back?
These are the real milestones. Not KPIs. Not performance reviews. But the quiet lessons in leadership that often go unnoticed unless we slow down long enough to listen for them.
What Needs Letting Go?
Matariki invites us to release what no longer serves. It might be a story you’ve been carrying about who you should be as a leader. It might be an old way of working that no longer fits. It could be burnout, resentment, or fear.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means making room for what’s next.
Who’s Beside You?
No one leads alone. Take a moment to acknowledge those who have walked alongside you. Your whānau. Your mentors. Your team. Even those who challenged you.
Every leader stands on the shoulders of others, and reflecting on this is not just humbling — it’s grounding.
Where To Next?
This isn’t about rushing into new goals. It’s about checking your compass.
What matters most to you now? What do you want to carry forward into the next season? What does leadership look like when it’s in full alignment with your values and vision?
Start there.
A Simple Matariki Reflection Practice:
Grab a notebook. Find some quiet. Light a candle or karakia. And try this:
- One thing I’m proud of this year is...
- One thing I’m ready to let go of is...
- One value I want to lead with moving forward is...
Come back to your answers throughout the year. Let them be your anchor.
As Matariki rises again, remember that leadership is not a race. It’s a rhythm. And there is solace and learnings in the pause.
Now is your time to reflect. To reset. To rise.
