Manaaki Tangata, Akohia te Ao Hou:  Nurturing Our People, Learning the New World

L&D Week 2026 explored Manaaki Tangata, Akohia te Ao Hou / Nurturing Our People, Learning the New World, a theme that positions human-centred design as the definitive business strategy for the AI era.

Think human connection, coaching, and manaakitanga as critical strategic levers in an automated landscape. Embracing the principle of ako to empower L&D professionals to lead as both learners and teachers.

It was an opportunity to make sure that while the world evolves, our focus remains firmly on the people as the heart of success.

What did we do?

Branch Breakfast Discussions:  Building Bicultural Practice in Learning and Development

As part of Learning & Development Week 2026, NZATD members gathered for breakfast discussions in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch on Tuesday 8 September.

Each breakfast gathering focused on a shared national discussion question:

If you could recommend one change that would help L&D practitioners embed meaningful Te Ao Māori perspectives into learning, what would it be?

Led by Paul White in Auckland and facilitated by local branch leaders in Wellington and Christchurch, participants shared experiences, challenged assumptions, and explored practical ways to strengthen bicultural practice in learning and development. While each conversation brought its own perspective, several common themes emerged.

Common Themes

• Bringing te ao Māori into everyday practice through small, consistent actions, such as learning and using new kupu Māori regularly.

• The value of tuakana-teina relationships and mentoring as a way of sharing knowledge and building confidence.

• Developing a genuine understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and how they can inform learning design and delivery.

• Meeting people where they are in their learning journey and creating safe, supportive environments to learn, ask questions, and practise.

• Taking time to understand the why behind Māori customs and practices. Participants discussed how understanding the purpose and meaning of tikanga, such as sharing kai together, helps people move beyond simply following a process and towards authentically embedding te ao Māori perspectives into their work.

The Christchurch discussion also explored biculturalism as more than simply recognising two cultures. Participants reflected on biculturalism as an inclusive mindset that benefits everyone and considered how learning experiences can honour both individual achievement and collective wellbeing.

Wellington participants contributed valuable perspectives on how te ao Māori can be meaningfully embedded within learning design and delivery, reinforcing many of the themes discussed across the Auckland and Christchurch gatherings. Discussions highlighted the important role L&D practitioners can play in creating learning experiences that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and relevant to the diverse learners and workplaces they support.

These conversations demonstrated the value of bringing learning professionals together to share perspectives, learn from one another, and explore practical ways to create more culturally responsive and inclusive learning experiences across Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who attended, contributed their ideas, and helped make these breakfast discussions a meaningful start to Learning & Development Week 2026. Together, we are continuing to build stronger connections, deeper understanding, and more inclusive learning practices for the future.

Photos from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are shown below.