Emergent Leaders for Change
A leadership programme that builds sustainability leadership capability, enabling both individual growth and organisational impact.
Rāpaki Marae, Ōtautahi
26-28th May 2026 | 3-5th August 2026
About the programme
Emergent Leaders for Change supports early-career professionals to step into their potential as sustainability leaders — confident in who they are, connected across sectors, and capable of driving action that makes a difference. Participants develop the skills, relationships, and confidence to sustain their leadership journey and inspire collective change.
This programme supports professionals to strengthen their leadership and sustainability capability — equipping them to drive change that matters.
Register by 15 April to access the Early Bird rate of $2,500.
When & Where
Three day live-in programme
Rāpaki Marae, Ōtautahi
Fee $3,000 +GST | Early Bird : $2,500 + GST
Who
Early-career professionals (1–3 years of experience) looking to grow their sustainability leadership capability.
What Participants Will Learn:
Develop confidence, self-awareness, and a strong sense of purpose as an emerging leader.
Build meaningful networks from across sectors.
Experience place-based learning that deepens connection to te taiao (the natural environment) and inspires authentic, values-led action.
Grow the interpersonal and adaptive skills needed to sustain leadership in complex systems.
Impact
Drive Organisational Sustainability and Culture Change: Participants gain practical skills to prepare them for implementing sustainability initiatives internally, build champions for change, and increase awareness of sustainability issues in a local and culturally informed context.
Invest in Emerging Leadership: Develop early-career professionals with authentic, values-based sustainability leadership skills that deliver measurable organisational impact.
Build Networks and Broader Impact: Enable broader connections with peers and leaders across sectors, fostering collaboration, partnerships, and shared learning within a local context.
Emergent: in the process of coming into being or becoming prominent.
Who is it for?
This programme is designed for early-career professionals (typically 1–3 years into their working life) who are motivated to grow their leadership capability and contribute to positive environmental and social impact.
You might be:
Working in business, government, or community sectors where sustainability is becoming increasingly important.
Eager to align your professional path with your personal values and purpose.
Looking to build confidence to influence change and lead authentically within your organisation or field.
Curious about how to navigate complex sustainability challenges and work collaboratively across systems.
Whether you’re in a technical, creative, or policy-focused role, this programme will help you deepen your understanding of leadership for sustainability and translate it into practical action in your workplace.
How to get involved
For Early-Career Professionals
Ready to build the foundations for leading change? Here’s how to get started:
Secure Support
Talk with your manager or HR team to confirm their support for your attendance.
Register
Choose your date and complete the short registration form
Send additional information
Reflect on the key challenges you are currently experiencing in your work and select one which you would like to focus on during the programme. This may relate directly to implementing sustainability initiatives within your organisation, or more broadly to your development as a change-maker.
Within a few days of registering, we will ask you to submit your chosen challenge and select a time for a one-on-one kōrero so that we can learn more about your experience and goals.
Confirmation
When everything is in place, you’ll receive all the practical details you need ahead of the programme.
Spread the Word & Get Excited
Encourage your peers and colleagues to get involved too — shared experiences strengthen learning.
For Managers and HR Representatives
Interested in supporting your emerging talent? Here’s how to take part:
Register Your Interest
Submit the short form expressing your organisation’s interest below.
Initial Conversation
The UWF team will be in touch to discuss participant selection, clarify the opportunity and logistics, and answer any questions.
Receive Registration Details
We’ll provide information and a link for your selected participants to register directly.
Confirm Participation
Once your participants are confirmed, you’ll receive updates and next steps from the UWF team.
Champion the Opportunity
Support your team’s preparation and share the opportunity internally to build momentum for sustainability leadership.
Programme Costs & Accessibility
Register by 15 April to access the Early Bird rate of $2,500
The programme fee is $3000 +GST. A non-refundable deposit is required on acceptance into the programme, with the balance payable no later than 8 weeks prior to programme start date.