The facilitator had an amazing wealth of knowledge, great at communicating key points and developing the conversations. Great research and publications were introduced. When you know the what and the why, it’s easier to apply the how.

The highlights of this workshop were the safe space for discussion, very engaging and easy to follow even though the topics were confronting. Also being led by a non-Māori facilitator was a huge strength as it helped break down barriers (guilt etc) and show how non-Māori can become Tangata Tiriti.

I found the workshop extremely engaging. All training I have had on cultural competence so far has been focusing on what and how to develop skills to work with Māori more effectively. This workshop tells me why developing such skills are crucial and what role we as New Zealanders play in restoring balance and health in the relationship between Pākehā and Māori. The reflective practices and discussions were a great way to brainstorm some potential solutions for addressing this.

I wanted to contact you just to say how rewarding I found this course and that it has given me so much to think about personally and professionally. I thought I had a good knowledge of NZ history but there was so much I didn’t know. On a practical level, points that were covered were able to help a colleague and I frame a new way forward in a matter where we were facing roadblocks.

I was so struck by the sheer strength of character and force of will that enabled mana whenua to fight for so long for redress, and how exhausting that must have been and will still be for so many. I am encouraged that teaching the full history of Aotearoa/New Zealand will now be compulsory in our schools.

This is the best workshop I have ever been on. Sharon provided a safe space to allow all attendees to learn, question and discuss, and clarify the importance and place of Te Tiriti in the framework of Aotearoa/NZ.

Thank you so much for your workshop facilitation last week - beautifully structured, articulate, fastidious, respectful …. And so clearly reasoned. It has been the best PD I have experienced. And I’m getting on a bit now!

I just wanted to mihi to you for your time, expertise and energy over the past two days. I knew your course was quality, but to hear the feedback from students has been wonderful. For some, it’s really been transformational in their personal journeys with Kaupapa Māori. That’s what it’s all about!

I found your two day course transformational. I feel like a better person for it. More prepared to have conversations about how we move forward and more grounded in my place as a New Zealander.

I think if we could bring how we feel at the end of days like this to our practice everyday, the health of all our patients would be a lot better.

This has been by far the very best bi-cultural training/education opportunity I have had throughout my 20+ year social work career.

These Tiriti workshops are a powerful medium to build relationships in a safe environment that does not judge but supports the growth of knowledge. The workshop which Sharon delivers gives a balanced perspective on the Tiriti in a non confrontational way and yet the underlying message is very clear which challenges us to think about the young history of our country of where we have come from to “where to” for the future. My involvement with the program provides another dimension of a lived perspective that gives a true account of the treaty partnership from both sides.

You have inspired me to think deeper about my culture, my bias, why things are how they are/norms within my practice and organisation … I will push for equity and embrace culture within my work.

A brilliant workshop that makes the Treaty alive and relevant to midwifery. I will take away resources to use in conversations about honouring Te Tiriti in institutional settings and documents and policy writing.

I enjoyed learning about the treaty, because I now realise things that happened and how we are fixing them.

I liked learning about the treaty (texts) and how they were so different, it was really interesting to see the differences.

I think our history is so cool to learn about and it’s very interesting and everyone of us should learn about it.

Thank-you for running such an interesting, informative and supportive workshop. I’ve been to a number of Treaty workshops which only served to increase my misunderstanding and frustration with the treaty. I wish this had been the first workshop I had been to, as I will leave this workshop with empathy, understanding and passion to embrace Māori culture and values. I believe this will have a huge impact on who I am and how I see, interact and support Māori values and history in my role at ECAN and beyond.

Watching and listening to you deliver your mahi has given me hope, that we as a nation can find a way to move forward together … it has given me a chance to grow and especially reflect on my own life and future decisions for my whānau.

I liked the varied, interactive approach …this workshop has inspired me to embrace the treaty as a partner rather than just an observer.

I felt safe to ask questions, guilt free and I’m excited about the future for New Zealand.

Loved the connection made with current issues, right at the start, to demonstrate that this issue is alive and kicking in our contemporary world, and why.

The whole workshop was stimulating and full of information. I’ve done several workshops over my working life, as well as studying NZ history at university and still learned more. I especially appreciated the Ngāi Tahu perspective and how things happened here in Te Wai Pounamu and why and how they were different from what was happening up North.

Thought facilitator was brilliant, made reason in an area full of anger, misunderstanding and suspicion.