Testimonials

My school engaged with Timoti Harris in 2019 to deliver a Teacher-only Day programme relating to the Treaty of Waitangi. We had some initial conversations to elaborate on our requirements and Timoti was very helpful in this regard. He was able to help us clarify what we were wanting for our staff who are at a range of positions in both their teaching experience and their understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

On the Teacher-only day, Timoti delivered an engaging, inclusive and thought-provoking programme. He captivated our large group of 75 teachers and support staff for a total of 4.5 hours. He was able to cater for the wide range of people providing challenge in a respectful way to encourage us to become ‘active treaty partners’.

This was a very successful day and we gathered some very positive feedback. Many described this as their best PLD ever. A few of their comments are shown below:
Historical dates, events; loved all the ponderings; non-threatening, entertaining delivery through ‘stories’.

Very inspiring, uplifting, reflective and future-forward planning/thinking. Very informative – culturally responsive. Loved purakau and delivery. Whole session was very enjoyable – thought-provoking.

Ka pai, awesome speaker; low pressure environment. Gave a lot of reasons for the why and made us want to find out how ourselves.

We followed up this first session with another in the new year as one part of a multi-session day. Again Timoti was very open to working with us to plan the day and accommodate our wishes. This was another very successful learning occasion.

I fully endorse Timoti as an excellent presenter who will work with you to ensure that your requirements are well catered for. He can assist you to identify and plan your sessions and has an amazing kete of stories and taonga that engages people and reduces barriers.

Kia ora koutou katoa
Ko Matt Simeon toku ingoa
te tumuaki o Te Kura Tuatahi o Pillans Point
No Tauranga Moana ahau

Our kura has had the privilege of having Timoti work with us over the last 3 years to support our culturally responsive pedagogy.

The joy for me has been the way that he has supported our kaiako to embrace a Māori world view, helping them understand that things are not right nor wrong – they just come from a different world view.

Should you personally or as an organisation like to increase your capability, knowledge and understanding in kaupapa Maori, I would fully encourage you to speak to Timoti to shape a programme that will fit your situation.

I would be happy for anyone to call me to discuss further.

Ngā mihi nunui

As we embarked on an exciting new programme for our Leaders at Auckland War Memorial Museum named ‘Te Kahu Manahautu’, it became evident we needed someone with expertise and passion to partner with us on our Bi-cultural understanding and journey. We were introduced to Timoti Harris who immediately captured us with his immersion in both the English and Maori worlds. Timoti was quickly able to build strong rapport with our manager groups and individuals on our programme. He has earned the respect of all who were at different stages of their cultural journeys by being approachable, caring, sharing his wealth of knowledge, creating a safe place to learn and share, and being a true leader himself. Timoti has been a pleasure to work with and is highly organised and planned. He is humble and unassuming but has the gift of ‘weaving the people together’.

Timoti Harris is an exemplary professional development presenter. He has an ability to engage participants (of all ages) in high order thinking and meaningful dialogue while using easy-to-understand language. My observations would lead me to conclude that these skills and motivational techniques brings learners into the kaupapa, and beyond. Inevitably they take maximum appreciation from the content that is on offer. Of immense importance though is that he knows his subject matter intimately. Whether in a large conference theatre or a small class on a campus or in the workplace, the essence of sound content is sustained and therefore meaningful learning occurs.

The world has experienced tremendous change over the past two decades, and an authentically commensurate approach for the delivery of educational leadership is needed – one that moves in harmony with the new social direction. Timoti has the potential to shift people’s ideas and philosophies while maintaining calm and acceptable relationships at the local level. Cultural responsiveness is at the heart of his thinking and practice. By way of actions as well as words, he models the Treaty principles of partnership, protection, and participation.