What a fantastic, energizing, invigorating, recharging Leaders’ Retreat it was. The Leaders’ Retreat was held at Te Kamaka Marae in Northcote and we were welcomed with a pōwhiri and a karakia from Dr. Pouroto followed by morning tea and then straight into whanaungatanga. 

The retreat was a time to reconnect and for those that were new, connect and meet new acquaintances. Majority of our member organisations were present and it allowed the day to flow through smoothly. 

Knowing our why, planning together and making commitments in solidarity is why Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau exists. It is your space to work in unison to address the causes of poverty in our communities so we can all flourish.

The retreat had a breakout to having relationals with your fellow comrades because that is how we build people power, and we had breakout groups for the discussions about what role each member organisation the leaders there represented play in the listening campaigns adopted by the alliance.

The retreat went on for two days straight with updates and presentations from the Avondale Racecourse Listening Campaign, Decent Work in Health and Care Listening Campaign, Housing Listening Campaign, and the Period Poverty Listening Campaign.

A lot of commitments were made to support and attend table talks, host and co-host one themselves and also sharing the word out with their networks to be involved in all of these.