Over the past six months, RUSH has been taking steps on a learning journey, reshaping how we work, connect and create in Aotearoa. As the first stage of our Te Ao Māori Action Plan, we are focusing on understanding - deepening our knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, its intent and its ongoing relevance today.

To support this, we have been learning through Groundwork led by Jen Margaret, a team specialising in education on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how to understand it in relation to a workplace operating in Aotearoa. Our leadership team began with the Understanding Te Tiriti online course, which provided critical insights into the history of Te Tiriti and the impact of colonisation on Māori communities. Building on this foundation, our leaders then participated in the Applying Te Tiriti half day workshop, exploring practical ways to honour and acknowledge Te Tiriti and strengthen relationships with Tangata Whenua in our workplace

As we deepen our understanding of Te Tiriti and its place in our workplace, we are also embracing the wider cultural context of Te Ao Māori through Te Reo Māori learning. Alongside this, our Ako in Style sessions, led by our wonderful kaiako (teacher) Miria, are deepening our understanding of the rich cultural context that makes Te Reo Māori so vital to Aotearoa.

For our grad intern Rikka, these sessions helped her to connect not only with Māori culture but also sparked reflection on her own cultural heritage through exploring her pepeha and practicing her mihi. A highlight of our learning journey was when she honoured Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in the workplace by sharing her pepeha at our company-wide sync.

We've covered place names, turning Tāmaki Makaurau and Kirikiroa from simple map markers into places with deep cultural significance. The journey has included learning appropriate greetings and understanding the nuances of when to use koe, kōrua, and koutou – small details that make a big difference in showing respect and building connections.

For Cyrielle, our support analyst, crafting her pepeha became an unexpectedly profound experience. "It's amazing how these learning sessions have created spaces for personal discovery alongside language learning." She found deep resonance in how Māori culture views family roots and heritage.

As we gear up for our next group of learners, we're excited how this dual commitment to Te Reo Māori and Te Tiriti is enriching our workplace culture. RUSH understands that Te Reo Māori is more than just a language – just as Te Tiriti represents more than a historical document – together, they form a pathway to creating a more inclusive, understanding and connected workplace. 

We recognise that this is an ongoing journey, and we are still in the early stages, but one that is fundamental to who we are as a people focused organisation in Aotearoa. Our focus has been on learning, listening, and building partnerships. Looking ahead we are committed to doing more - continuing our learning, strengthening relationships with Māori communities and Te Ao Māori specialists, and taking tangible steps to ensure our work reflects the commitments we have made.