Co-governance is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a dynamic concept that adapts to the unique needs and contexts of those involved.

As always, we were united by a shared interest in co-governance. We sought to understand co-governance in general, how it operates within the context of New Zealand, as well from the lens of the Te Tiriti (Treaty of Waitangi). This week we started Part 1 of a three part series on Co-Governance.  Here are some of the key insights that shed light on their motivation.  

Keywords: Co-Governance, Power Sharing, Te Tiriti Based Futures, Sovereignty, Governance Models, Consensus Building, Autonomy vs. Authority, Distributed Leadership, Equitable Power Sharing

Insights - Why did you come along?: 

• "I see myself as a student of understanding the complexities of co-governance, if that makes sense. I’m here to watch and learn and not have any opinion about the New Zealand context of governance." 
• "I really want to preserve the opportunities for people from different cultures to participate... retain their cultural values, their ways of knowing and doing while they are combining governance." 
• "We're sort of, we're doing it [co-governance] and learning at the same time, I'm learning by doing because there's no guidebook for it, which I kind of love." 
• "I think that when I've seen co-governance action, like in New Zealand Māori context, it [co-governance] is being allowed to have whatever appropriate Tikanga, and it can have its process, whilst also coming into a space to then interact with the Pakeha processes [of governance]." 
• "I'm hoping to help demonstrate that there are successful models of this existing out there, and we can draw and learn from them." 

Key Themes: Discussions and Quotes

Balancing Authority and Autonomy: The conversation highlighted the ongoing and necessary tension between authority and autonomy within co-governance models. Participants discussed different approaches to distributing authority and enabling autonomy, considering factors such as shared intentions, values, and the balance between top-down and bottom-up leadership. "There's this constant tension between authority and autonomy... there's a really interesting tension for me, in different ways, around different communities, and how they think about that." 

Challenges of Power Sharing: We recognised the challenges inherent in power sharing and co-leadership. We discussed the complexities of creating equitable structures and processes while also navigating decision-making and consensus-building.

The Role of Leadership: The group explored different leadership styles and their roles within co-governance. We revisited the analogy of leading from the front, middle, and behind, and how to adapt, be dynamic and switch leadership styles to the situation and context needed in when co-governance is in action. A way of thinking about it was “as leading from the front, leading from the middle or leading from behind...and at times doing all three at the same time.” 

How Māori Co-Govern Naturally: The conversation highlighted a Māori worldview which emphasises consensus-building and the importance of honouring tikanga (customs) and kawa (protocols) within decision-making processes. From one participant's observations, there was recognition that consensus doesn't always mean total agreement but signifies a commitment to a shared goal. "Sometimes it’s like being on a ball, and a flat thing on top, and the balance can look different [simultaneously] and... what I see Māori do really well... is they manage the competing values, the competing systems, all the competing stuff really, really well." 

Power Sharing & Prioritising: We discussed the challenges and benefits of collaboration and the need to recognise and work through fears or potential issues that may come with sharing power. "In my particular contexts, we're spending so much time on the leadership side... a governance model will have to come later... standing back and letting people go."  "...it’s seen as potentially losing power." 

Navigating the Co-Governance Landscape in Context: The conversation around co-governance is both enlightening and complex, offering new perspectives on how communities and organisations can collaborate and make decisions together. As these discussions continue, it should become clearer that co-governance is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a dynamic concept in which adaptation to the unique needs and context of those engaged in managing the process are needed.