Bridging Cultural Perspectives to lead diverse and inclusive organisations that make a difference.
We empower leaders and organisations with knowledge and tools that eliminate racism, create allyship, and build diverse workplaces
Our Vision
Imagine how much more impact an organisation can have when it’s able to harness the skills, knowledge, motivation as well as the wisdom of the cultural heritage of every single person – including those who feel excluded!
Using indigenous learning, design, and strategy, we want to disrupt system racism and create an equitable future for Māori and Pacific peoples.
That means that leaders and teams can have courageous conversations about racism and inequities in a mana-enhancing way…
And…that everyone in the organisation grows and develops their Māori and Pacific cultural intelligence...
So that you can tear down barriers and tap into the true potential of your entire workforce!
And…that everyone in the organisation grows and develops their Māori and Pacific cultural intelligence...
So that you can tear down barriers and tap into the true potential of your entire workforce!
Our Framework of Change
Nine steps from creating awareness and opening up for change to cultural responsiveness and creating inclusive alliances!
This framework is licensed by The Culture and Design Lab under the
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
About Us
Iulia Leilua
Director
(Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Hekeāwai, Samoan)
After more than three decades of journalism and winning the “Best Māori Journalist of the Year” award, I took stock and realised that “showing” is not as powerful as “doing”.
If I wanted to live my purpose, then I needed to create pathways, bring people together, create communities, and empower people so that they can take control of creating equitable futures for everyone.
Being part of an organisation that creates change allowed me to see that fixing the root causes of the problem is the only way to achieve successful systemic change.
I realised that I could be much more effective if I was able to work from “outside” an organisation to change the “inside”.
Now, with a Masters and several other qualifications under my belt, I have developed my own “Bridging Cultural Perspectives” framework that guides organisations through a transformational journey.
The journey from…
➤ Systemic racism
➤ Exclusion and frustration
➤ Powerplay
➤ Talking at people
➤ Centralised
➤ to cultural intelligence and systemic disruption
➤ to indigenous diversity and inclusion
➤ to enabling people to take ownership
➤ to creating spaces for courageous conversations
➤ to inclusive leadership
Ngapeita Leilua - Gotz
Digital & Design Co-ordinator
(Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hāua, Samoan, Swiss, German)
Coming from the line of a famous Māori poetess, Puhiwāhine Te Rangihirawea, creative weavers, and a descendant of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, I know that it's possible to create spaces where everyone belongs.
My heritage is a reflection of how inclusiveness and diversity can lead to building a community in which people find a place of belonging.
My heritage gives me purpose and as a female designer in a male dominated industry. I want to use my art to share my message of anti-racism, ageism, genderism, and inclusivity.
With qualifications in art and design, web development, travel and tourism, and a specialisation in Māori and Pacific art, I want to help people gain a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for indigenous design.
Following my purpose to include, inspire, and empower, I add:
➤ Visual expression that people can identify with
➤ Energy that inspires people to act, share, and contribute
➤ Emotions and feelings that go deeper than spoken language
➤ Access to a deeper understanding of themselves and the organisation
➤ A voice that is universally understood and heard within and beyond the organisation
And most of all, I want to create designs that are genuine and culturally correct and that express the intention and purpose of ALL the people within an organisation.
I believe that art can create a sense of belonging and I would be honoured to use my skills to support you to create an organisation where Māori and Pacific people equally belong.
Our Values
Tika & Pono
Having integrity and
doing the right thing.
Whakapapa
Recognition of peoples' diverse ancestral connections.
Mana Tangata
Empowering people from all walks of life.
Tautua
Leadership through service, inclusiveness and professionalism.
Manaakitanga
Caring for people.
Fa'aloalo
Respect for people.
Kaitiakitanga
Guarding and protecting our environment.
Wairuatanga
Spirituality with an holistic lens.
Contact Us
Based in Auckland and Taumarunui, supporting clients virtually throughout New Zealand.
P: 021 378 639
E: comms@cultureanddesignlab.com
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