GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Culture
SETTING THE TONE
A cross-functional team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is off to an absolute flyer this morning.
Enthusiastic team members have put this down to them adopting a trudging monotone as they recited the Ministry’s prescribed karakia at the start of their team hui.
The prayer of MBIE’s state religion, which has been copy-pasted into every recurring calendar invite since mid-2023, was recited with a stunning lack of rhythm or conviction. The group of mostly pākehā analysts and advisors did well to nervously keep time with their colleagues who were one second ahead of them.
“It really just sets the tone for a productive hui,” said Senior Advisor Rachel Kerr, who hasn’t left her house since 2020. “There’s just something about mumbling words you barely understand with your mic slightly delayed that really centres you for a good kōrero about the updated procurement framework.”
The karakia, which invokes vague notions of light, knowledge and unity, was said to bring “a strong wairua” to the call, even though no one present could actually define what that meant.
“It’s about intention,” said Team Lead Justin Baker, who added the karakia to every meeting invite last year after completing an unconscious bias module. “It’s not just about going through the motions, even though that’s exactly what it is.”
While none of the attendees could confirm whether the karakia had any direct impact on the outcome of the meeting, the team did manage to feel really good about themselves, which was seen as a major success.
MBIE would not say whether the karakia was mandatory, measurable, or non-negotiable, but did say that reciting it in a zombie-like unison was a great way to uphold te tiriti.
More to come.
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