Future Leaders Programme 18-22 May 2025

Content

What is leadership and why it matters

What is most needed from leaders in a turbulent world?

Interactive Q&A with Mervin Singham and Abdur Razzaq.

Speaker / Moderator

Mervin Singham, Chief Executive – Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Mervin has extensive experience as a public servant. He has a background in law and human rights and has held executive level roles within the public service for the past 21 years.

Abdur Razzaq – FIANZ
He will draw upon his deep experience in community engagement and public service to provide valuable context and direction.

Session description

Good leadership is essential in our world, more today than ever. How leaders lead has a profound impact on others. It can help solve society’s problems, build a fairer society or on the other hand, create polarisation and strife.

This session will provide leadership insights from Mervin and Abdur on how communities and government can work together to progress better outcomes for communities.

Key themes:

Leadership and civic engagement:

Speakers will highlight their leadership experiences throughout their careers. What worked, what did not and how good leadership affects the achievement of solid outcomes.

Mervin will highlight the importance of fostering civic engagement among Muslim youth and the significance of active participation in shaping the future of New Zealand.

Abdur will emphasise the role of civic engagement in empowering individuals and communities, in multicultural and multi-faith New Zealand.

Learning outcomes:

Participants will leave this session with a strong understanding of the concept of leadership and how to be more effective in shaping outcomes for communities.

The session will set the stage for the rest of the programme, preparing attendees to fully engage with the material and activities that will follow.

10:30 - 10:45AM - Morning tea

Content

How to engage with the system of government to get better outcomes for communities.

How local government are structured, why and how it works.

Speaker/Moderator

Lianne Dalziel CNZM

Lianne was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for 23 years and then served as the Mayor of Christchurch for three terms.

In Government she was responsible for a range of portfolios including, immigration, commerce, and small business, and held associate roles in justice and education.

While in opposition she was the spokesperson on Youth Affairs and helped develop the youth policy for the election.

These diverse responsibilities helped her develop the knowledge and expertise to work with and understand the needs of a range of sectors. She always enjoyed the people-to-people contact as a constituency MP, which also helped her to understand a range of issues through real life experiences.

She was Mayor during the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019 and has remained closely connected to members of the Muslim community ever since.

Session description

In this session, Lianne will offer her insights as a senior leader in both central and local government of New Zealand's democratic system, and how they critically interact with the policy-making process in our country.

Key themes:

Leadership in Public Service: The session will focus on the Lianne’s experiences in various government roles. Lianne will reveal her
personal leadership journey, including her motivations and values.

Reflections on New Zealand’s political landscape: The discussion will delve into the Lianne’s reflections on New Zealand’s political
evolution, highlighting key moments and decisions that have shaped the nation.

Advice for future leaders on legacy: Lianne will share her thoughts on the future of leadership in New Zealand, and how to leave an enduring legacy behind.

Learning outcomes:

Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of New Zealand's democratic foundations and how public policy is formed. The session will challenge participants to consider how to engage more effectively with government, using the spectrum of mechanisms available to shape the future wellbeing of communities. This includes using accountability mechanisms available to citizens to keep checks and balances on the use of power.

11:45 - 12:00pm - Reflection session to gather thoughts from prior panel conversations.

12:00 - 1:00pm - Lunch break - (including prayers)

Content

The need for strong leadership becomes stark during times of crisis.

How do leaders deal with the challenges of extreme public scrutiny?

Speaker / Moderator

Rebecca Kitteridge, Deputy Public Service Commissioner previous Director General of the NZ Security Intelligence Service.

Rebecca Kitteridge, in her current role as Deputy Public Service Commissioner and the previous Director General of the NZSIS brings
a wealth of experience on public administration and national security to the session.

Rebecca will share her reflections on her leadership post the Christchurch Mosque Attacks, and her perspective on the characteristics that make a good leader.

Session description

Effective leadership is context bound. What works in one situation will not in another. What is different about leading during crisis?

This valuable session will provide participants with a unique insight into leadership challenges during times of crisis. How did Rebecca navigate challenges as Head of NZSIS when the mosque shootings occurred? What did she have to grapple with as a public service leader amidst a major tragedy? What insights does she have about leadership from her current role as Deputy Public Service Commissioner?

Case study: Christchurch Mosque Shootings

Reflections on effective leadership across government and communities during a catastrophic event.

Learning outcomes:

What is most needed of leaders during a crisis.

2:00 - 2:15pm Reflection session to gather thoughts from prior panel conversations

Content

How does community advocacy and/or protest interact with and rub up against the national security system?

Nick will offer a unique perspective on how the government balances national security considerations with the protection of civil
liberties in New Zealand.

He will also share his insights on the real drivers of national security and how leaders in the community can be effective in supporting the safety of our country.

Speaker / Moderator

Nick Marks, Deputy Director General, Protective Security, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Nick brings his expertise in national security to the session, providing insights into how NZSIS operates within New Zealand's democratic framework, ensuring the safety of citizens while respecting human rights.

Session description

Citizens across the globe are increasingly organising themselves to make their voices heard in a world characterised by increasing polarisation. But where does the line lie between the right to protest in a free and democratic society and unlawful activity? What is ok and what is not?

The session is designed to allow participants to engage robustly and respectfully with senior officials on sensitive matters involving the Muslim community.

Participants will learn about the complex dynamics involved in balancing security interests against the human rights of individuals in preserving our national security. This session will provide valuable insights into how these systems work, how they differ from those in other countries, and the principles that guide their work.

Key theme:

Overview of New Zealand's intelligence and security operations

How New Zealand's intelligence operations differ from those in other nations, particularly about legal frameworks, oversight, and respect for civil liberties.

Learning outcomes:

Participants will practise how to interrogate sensitive topics that affect them personally with integrity and respect. How can leaders do this effectively outside the confines of the leadership programme?

Participants will also learn about the collaboration between intelligence agencies and the police to prevent and respond to threats such as terrorism, espionage, and cybercrime.

They will leave the session with a clear appreciation of how New Zealand's commitment to transparency, accountability, and how community engagement is essential to national security.

3:15 - 3:30pm Break and reflection session to gather thoughts from prior panel conversations

3:30 - 4:30pm Visit and tour to Parliament

5:15pm Prayer

Content

Effective community leadership competencies encompass effective communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to mobilise and empower community members to work towards shared goal.

Speaker / Moderator

Community Leaders:

Ikhlaq Kashkari, Former President of New Zealand Muslim Association, Treasurer of FIANZ, Entrepreneur, Governance

Ikhlaq has held senior management positions in NZ and overseas helping organisations improve their business performance and governance. He has worked with Board members and “C” level management teams to help build robust business processes, performance measurements and governance structures which are aligned to their business & operational strategies. Ikhlaq is currently Treasurer of the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ)/ He is the immediate past President of NZMA and current He works closely with our diverse community of 60+ ethnicities. He represents Muslim community at various government agencies including INZ, OEC, DPMC, NZ Police, NZSIS etc.

His dealings both at the professional and community leadership level has provided him a wide understanding of diverse cultures in today’s connected world. Having lived in 7 countries and worked in over 15 countries has helped him learn and appreciate working and living with diverse cultures. He has a flair for quickly understanding and identifying opportunities issues and designing solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.

Session description

This session will guide participants through community leaders’ sharing of their experiences in communication, collaboration, problem-solving and ability to mobilise and empower community members to work towards shared goal.

Community advocacy for resources can be enormously helpful to leaders trying to effect changes in their community. Advocacy can be complex – Encompassing the use of data, developing the right relationships at the right time and using influence to get results.

Through dialogue and shared case studies and scenarios participants will learn methodologies for community engagement aimed at creating impactful solutions.

Key themes:

Understanding community dynamics:

Participants will explore the social, economic, and cultural factors influencing community dynamics.

Methods for identifying community needs:

Introduction to various tools and methodologies for assessing community needs. The importance of inclusive and culturally sensitive engagement strategies will be emphasised.

Case Study: Real-world application:

A detailed case study will be presented, highlighting a successful example of identifying and addressing community needs. This segment will highlight the steps taken, challenges faced, and lessons learned in the process of community assessment.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will learn how to map community resources and identify their issues effectively.

Participants will be equipped with the tools to apply these approaches in real-world settings, ensuring that community needs are met inclusively and effectively.

10:15 - 10:30am Reflection session to gather thoughts from prior panel conversations.

10:30 - 11:00am Morning tea

Speaker / Moderator

Deb Potter, Principal Analyst
Ministry for Ethnic Communities

With a long career in government data, including 25 years at Statistics New Zealand, Deb has a special interest in providing solid community evidence for good government decision making. She is a co-author of MECs recent publication Ethnic Evidence.

Session Description

This short and sharp presentation seeks to introduce data that may be useful and insightful to Muslim young leaders for their projects.

Deb will discuss considerations used to evaluate data used in Ethnic Evidence. These factors can be used when deciding how credible data is, and which data you use on behalf of your community.

Deb will also showcase new Census data for faith communities.

12:00 - 1:00pm Lunch with Prayer at 12:45pm

Speaker / Moderator

Christina Marie Tay, Previous Director of Services, Employee Advisory and Resolution Services (Te Rauawa) Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University

Her work background includes working on large scale projects and programmes within the public sector, along with 14 years working in the banking industry, with ten of those years in the Agribusiness department of BNZ.

Graduated from Waikato University with conjoint degrees in law and political science. Christina worked in the government sector for a number of years and during this time she completed her accreditation as a restorative justice facilitator and served as a public member for 5 years on the NZ Media Council. She then headed offshore to complete her masters in mediation and conflict resolution through Strathclyde University in the United Kingdom.

She is a mediator, mediation trainer, restorative justice facilitator and mentor and she is a national mentor and International Ombuds Association mentor.

Session Description

Early identification of roots causes of future conflict and harnessing the use of early intervention to prevent conflict can be enormously helpful in a leader’s toolkit. Responding effectively to conflict when it arises is equally important. What are the best approaches for these interventions? How can they be applied in real time?

Case study: Strategies and solutions for effective conflict management

This workshop will focus on practical approaches to resolving conflicts within communities and organisations. Through an in-depth case study, participants will explore various conflict resolution strategies, understand conflict dynamics, and develop skills to manage to resolve disputes effectively.

Key themes:

Understanding conflict dynamics:

Explore the nature of conflict, including its causes, types, and stages. This segment will cover how conflicts arise and evolve, and the impact they have on individuals and groups. Participants will learn to identify key factors contributing to conflict and how these can be addressed.

Conflict resolution strategies:

Introduction to various conflict resolution techniques and methodologies, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Participants will learn how to apply these strategies in different contexts to facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution.

Learning outcomes:

Participants will understand conflict dynamics and develop practical skills for managing and resolving disputes. They will learn to apply various conflict resolution strategies and techniques supported by insights from a real-world case study.

Speaker / Moderator

Ziena Jalil

Session Description

How will leaders apply what they learnt when they leave the programme to their daily lives? What will you do differently?

Ziena will introduce project work expectations and allocate groups.

Members will work together on a final presentation on the last day of the Leadership Programme where they can demonstrate applied learning.

3:30 - 4:00pm Break | Prayer 3:45pm

Speaker / Moderator

Ziena Jalil

Session Description

Ziena will facilitate a session designed to capture insights on what has been learnt and how it can be applied it. This will be journalled in preparation for the final day of the programme.

Speaker moderator

Discussion with media representative

Session description

Effective media presence can make all the difference in the world to achieving a leader’s goals. There are a range of things that work and those that are doomed to failure. The session is designed to equip participants with the skills and strategies necessary to interact successfully with the media.

Key themes:

Understanding media dynamics: The session will begin by exploring the landscape of modern media, including the diverse types of media (broadcast, print, online) and the role each plays in shaping public opinion.

Participants will understand how the media operates, the pressures journalists face, and the criteria that drive news coverage.

Building relationships with media: The session will also touch on the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with journalists and media outlets. Participants will learn how to be proactive in their media engagement, establishing themselves as credible and reliable sources of information.

Learning outcomes:

• Participants will learn how to navigate the media landscape and communicate effectively through various channels.
• Participants produce scenarios to offer as tangible example of these principles in action, helping to apply the lessons learned to their own contexts.

11:00 - 11:30am Morning tea

Content

How to craft messages and media statements, social media campaigning, and engage with media outlets

Speaker / Moderator

Donald Matheson, University of Canterbury

Session description

This session will focus primarily on communication outside of the mainstream media framework specifically:

• The pros and cons of social media in winning hearts and minds -on line campaigning, strategies, and tips
• The arts as an advocacy tool for winning hearts and minds

12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch | Prayer at 12:30pm

Sponsor / Moderator

Melissa Derby, Race Relations Commissioner, Human Rights Commission

Melissa Derby (Ngāti Ranginui) has been a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato, teaching early literacy and human development with a specialist interest in Māori education. In November 2024, Dr Melissa Derby was appointed by the Governor General for a term of five years to the role of Race Relations Commissioner with the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. She keeps an honorary lecturer position at the University of Waikato.

Session description

The Human Rights Commission (Māori: Te Kāhui Tika Tangata) is the national human rights institution (NHRI) for New Zealand, operating independently from direction by the Cabinet.

Founded in 1977, the commission addresses issues of discrimination, equality, and human rights through education, advocacy, and resolving complaints. It provides guidance on anti-discrimination law. A national human rights institution (NHRI) is an independent state-based institution with the responsibility to broadly protect and promote human rights in each country.

Key Themes

• What are some of the techniques that the Race Relations Commissioner use to call out Human Rights breaches by government or members of the public?
• How does the Race Relations Commissioner role support the observance of human rights while supporting race relations with diverse communities?

Content

How the New Zealand policing and intelligence systems work together to preserve national security? What it does and what it does not.

Richard will offer a unique perspective on how the government balances law and order considerations with the protection of civil liberties in New Zealand.

Speaker / Moderator

Richard Chambers, Commissioner of Police.

Richard will discuss the New Zealand Police's commitment to the ways in which the NZ Police has adapted to meet contemporary challenges in law enforcement.

Session description

It is a critical part of the programme, offering participants a deep dive into the unique aspects of New Zealand's policing and intelligence systems. How does it work? What is reality and what is myth?

Participants will practise how to interrogate sensitive topics that affect them personally with integrity and respect. How can leaders do this effectively outside the confines of the leadership programme?

Key Theme:

New Zealand policing and how it works with communities:

How the New Zealand Police’s approach to community policing, use of force, and engagement with the public sets it apart from policing models in other countries.

Learning outcomes

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how New Zealand's distinct policing and intelligence systems work together to uphold both public safety and individual rights.

3:30 - 4:00pm Afternoon tea break | Prayer at 3:45pm

4:00 - 4:30pm Komutoto Event Centre | Travel to centre for Peace and Dialogue, Wellington Islamic Centre, 11 Queens Drive, Kilbirnie.