Rhion Munro, CAYAD Kaimahi, selected for NZ Leadership Programme

Rhion is an advisor in our Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) team working on a range of projects that reduce harm that rangatahi can experience from alcohol and other drugs. He’s passionate about improving holistic health outcomes for marginalised groups through evidence-based design and human-centric practices.

Proactively supporting our kaimahi to lead is an important part of walking our talk on distributed rather than hierarchical leadership. We talk to Rhion about his recent selection to the New Zealand Leadership Programme.

Big congratulations on being selected for the NZ Leadership Programme! Can you tell us more about it?

Thank you! It’s going to be an awesome journey.

The NZ Leadership Programme is immersive and experiential, delivered over the course of none months. Our cohort of 23 will engage in open and honest dialogue about the big issues Aotearoa faces now and for the generations to come.

It’s designed to challenge us, develop our cultural intelligence, and expose us to diversity of thought and perspective. We’ll be given frameworks and tools to explore ourselves and our leadership style, with a view to sharpen our focus, build greater self-awareness, confidence, and critical thinking.

I attended the first retreat at the beginning of May. It was amazing to look around the circle and see leaders in all kinds of different industries, companies, and organisations who are hungry for radical growth and a renewed understanding of their place in the world.

I want to thank my whānau and the wider CAYAD team for their encouragement to apply, and to Foundation North for supporting me financially to get there.

Rhion (middle) with the 2023 cohort of NZ Leadership Programme participants at their recent May retreat.

What made you want to apply for this programme?

I was eager to find a development experience that would coax me out of my comfort zone and inspire me to think about what a limitless future could look like for both myself and the communities I serve.

I was intrigued by the depth and breadth of the conversations that this programme encourages. There are people in my cohort from all different walks of life, many of whom I never would have met if I hadn’t been given a spot in the rōpu. While we may have different political ideologies and belief systems, this is an opportunity for us to get to know one another as humans, debate the big stuff, and gain a nuanced perspective on the type of leadership Aotearoa calls for now and into the future.

What are you hoping to get out of the programme?

Honestly, I’m not sure yet, but whatever it is I know that I need it.

I’m a firm believer in everything happening exactly when it needs to happen, so I’m open to the learnings that are coming my way and intend to make the most of every minute.  

What are you most looking forward to?

There are two retreats that deep dive into topics that I am really keen to grow my understanding of. One is around Te Tiriti, co-governance, and re-indigenisation. The other is te ao, climate change, and regeneration.

One of the best parts of this programme is the range of incredible speakers and leaders from across Aotearoa. We hear from people across the political spectrum, entrepreneurs and visionaries, social justice warriors, organisers, and past participants who have found their ‘calling’ after completing their year in the programme.

I’m looking forward to being challenged intellectually and listening to better understand my contribution to Aotearoa’s future.

Tell us your leadership approach and vision

Unapologetically authentic, focused, inclusive, and strengths based.

I champion how social innovation methodologies can be activated to counter gender discrimination, disrupt systems, and increase equity outcomes for LGBTIQ+ populations (work in progress and subject to change – ask me again at the end of the programme!)

Ka rawe Rhion. We’re really looking forward to hearing all about your journey over the next 12 months. Karawhiua!

You can learn more about Rhion and what makes him tick in his bio.