WM New Zealand is proud to celebrate Ecologist Tui Tane-Mowat, who has recently graduated from the He Muka Tangata, Wāhine Toa programme, completing her Certificate in Business (First Line Management).
He Muka Tangata is a leadership programme designed for wāhine Māori, combining practical frontline leadership skills with a strong foundation in Te Ao Māori. Delivered through noho marae and supported learning, it provides a space for participants to build confidence, strengthen identity and grow as leaders.
At WM New Zealand, supporting initiatives like this is an important part of building strong, inclusive leadership across the business.
Over 10 months, participants work through a series of modules focused on understanding who they are as leaders, how they build relationships, and how they lead with integrity and accountability.
For Tui, the experience has been both rewarding and inspiring.
“Learning about leadership alongside wāhine Māori in this space has been incredibly inspiring. It’s shown me that leadership isn’t just about capability — it’s about understanding people, living your values, and leading with mana and aroha.”
Tui brings that approach into her day-to-day work as an Ecologist at WM New Zealand. She supports project teams to ensure environmental thinking is embedded into how sites are designed, built and operated.
Her work spans biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration and providing practical advice to site teams — always with a focus on protecting and enhancing the natural environment in ways that are workable on the ground.
A key part of her role is helping others understand why environmental requirements matter and how to apply them practically.
That same emphasis on people, relationships and shared understanding is at the heart of the He Muka Tangata programme. It creates a supportive environment for wāhine Māori to learn from one another, build confidence and step into leadership in their own way.
Tui encourages others to consider taking part.
“What I’ve learned has been invaluable. I’d highly encourage wāhine Māori across WM New Zealand to enrol in the next cohort.”
Supporting the growth and development of people is an important part of what it means to take care of it — for today and for the future.
WM New Zealand supports South Auckland communities tackling moth plant, providing safe disposal solutions that protect waterways and prevent environmental spread.
WM New Zealand celebrates Tui Tane-Mowat’s leadership achievement, supporting wāhine Māori development through programmes grounded in Te Ao Māori and real-world leadership.
WM New Zealand teams raised awareness and funds for bowel cancer, walking over 100km each to support early detection and those affected.
