Partnership Brokers Training

The challenges we face are increasingly complex, interrelated and unpredictable. The need for partnerships and working collaboratively across Aotearoa has never been greater.

Communities, non-profit organisations, Iwi, government agencies and business, know that partnering is essential to achieving enduring results.

Yet partnering is easier said than done and many partnerships fall short of expectations.

Those who enable partnerships to happen are key to partnering success. The Partnership Brokers Training programme is for you. This unique and highly sought-after global programme provides those working in partnerships with in-depth development on how to partner effectively.

The course can be used in two ways

Individual/team professional development

For the individual/team programme you will be part of a diverse group from business, Iwi, government, philanthropy, community and voluntary sectors.

The group will be limited to 20 participants with two facilitators in order to maximise potential for exchange and personal attention.

Real-time partnership building

This real-time partnership building programme is customisable to your partnership dynamic. Partners from the various stakeholders attend together, building a common language and framework while developing strategies for the design, management and review of their partnership.

Benefits for participants

You'll leave with

  • Tools, techniques and skills for brokering partnerships that get results

  • Enhanced confidence and competence as partnership practitioners

  • A framework and knowledge for robust, efficient and innovative partnerships

  • Knowing common principles, barriers and enablers of partnerships

  • Ways to overcome common partnership challenges (both for those working internally and independently)

  • Personal and professional insights into the roles, skills and competencies needed in building successful collaborations

  • Membership of a global professional association of partnership brokers offering support, research, networks and further development opportunities.

Programme structure

The programme includes 4 x 2-hour online interactive webinars and 3-days in-person training.
We offer additional 1:1 coaching sessions to support ongoing learning and application.

Online learning sessions:

We will explore key partnering frameworks and how these apply in your partnerships.

Four online sessions:

Online session dates and times for our next public programme:

10.30am - 12.30pm Wednesday 9, 16, 23, 30 October 2024.

In-person practice sessions:

Learning will become more experiential as we will explore a partnership scenario & focus on building key skills.

Three in-person sessions:

In-person session dates and times for our next public programme:

8.45am - 5pm Tuesday 5 - Thursday 7 November 2024 in Wellington.

Optional coaching sessions:

We offer coaching sessions to compliment your learning and support you to apply it in your context.

Three in-person or online sessions:

Dates to be agreed with the participant.

We use a variety of different methods & tools both for learning purposes and to expose you to different elements you may consider using in your own partnering practice.

Participant feedback

"My awareness of and understanding of partnership brokering have grown immensely... I am looking forward to wokring with partners... the innovative approaches to partnership building will be invaluable."

"It made me re-evaluate what it truly means to be in partnership. The course has helped me understand the benefits of partnership, as well as understanding the many challenges. I have learnt where my strengths lie and areas I can improve."

"I have been hugely impacted by this course. The ability to step back and look at all our external partnerships and consider how we can make more impact with each of them has been timely. It has also provided me with a framework to consider new partnerships."

"The course gave me the tools, skills and frameworks to become a more confident, reflective and insightful partnership broker. Thank you for such great facilitation and support."

Training team

Belinda Gorman

Belinda specialises in helping organisations achieve their goals through collaborative approaches.

She has worked as a collaboration and partnering practitioner for the last 15 years, with organisations across public, private and NGO sectors in New Zealand and internationally. Belinda has significant experience working on complex issues and in complex contexts. She knows first-hand the opportunities and challenges that working across organisation and sector boundaries presents, and the mindsets, skills and competencies required to navigate these effectively. Belinda is a PBA Accredited Partnership Broker, Authorised Practitioner Trainer and Mentor.

Rebecca Mason

Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira me Ngāi Tahu

From leading international partnerships to facilitating multi-stakeholder meetings and representing her Iwi, Rebecca is known for leading change and bringing people together across cultures and industries to create enduring solutions. She is currently the Tumuaki (Principal) of Meihana Consulting which is centred around Iwi Māori public sector partnerships, systems change and organisational development. Rebecca has experience as both an internal and independent partnership broker and she has supported and worked with organisations in both the private and public sectors. Rebecca holds several governance roles, is a Chartered Accountant and a PBA Accredited Partnership Broker.

Participating organisations we’ve worked with:

Who would benefit

This course is for participants who are actively working on the development and management of partnerships, and is not an introductory course. Participants will have experience working to build effective and innovative collaborations with two or more partners. Past graduates come from business, Iwi, government, international agencies and non-profit organisations working in diverse spheres. Admission to the course is by application. Participants who attend all sessions will be awarded a Partnership Broker's Association certificate entitling them to become alumni of the Association and to apply for further professional development opportunities.

Course fee

Early bird discount for applications received before 9 August 2024:

  • Non-profit $2,300 (ex-GST)

  • Government $2,750 (ex-GST)

  • Business $3,050 (ex-GST)

The same discount is available for multiple bookings from one organisation or partnership. A maximum of four participants from the same organisation are allowed so diversity in the programme is ensured.

Applications received after 9 August 2024:

  • Non-profit $2,300 (ex-GST)

  • Government $3,050 (ex-GST)

  • Business $3,350 (ex-GST)

Optional 1:1 or small group coaching sessions:

3-sessions $750 (ex-GST)

The course fee includes tuition costs, background reading materials, copies of all the training materials, lunches and snacks. The fee does not include travel or accommodation. The fee will be payable with your application. Your place on the programme will be secured only when full payment has been received.

Community organisation subsidy

A subsidy is available for community organisations working in Aotearoa, from Weave. You do not need to apply to Weave directly for the subsidy - simply answer the questions in Section 9 of our application form. There are a limited number of subsidies available, so those needing a subsidy to enable them to attend, are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The venue

Te Wāhanga Atawhai Mercy Conference Centre, 15 Guildford Terrace, Wellington 6011

The venue is based in central Wellington, in close proximity to Wellington Railway Station and the central bus terminal.

About the Partnership Brokers Association

Partnership Brokers Association (PBA) was established in 2003 and is the international professional body and training resource for those managing and developing partnership processes. PBA's training work is informed and regularly updated in consultation with international practitioners. PBA is dedicated to promoting professionalism and integrity in brokering multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development and impact by:

  • Elevating partnering knowledge and practice so that can collaborations can be truly transformational

  • Supporting partnership brokers to take a principled and skilled approach to reach the highest standards of partnership excellence

  • Promoting the critical importance of the partnership process for decision makers in all sectors to achieve ambitious results

  • Helping identify partnership challenges and opportunities to support more effective outcomes

Further training opportunities

Participants who complete the Partnership Brokers Training will become alumni of PBA, giving you access to tools, case studies, support services, further training options & Professional Accreditation.

How to apply

Apply online at https://forms.gle/Fv6xFQNXtZBnEs9s9

Feel free to contact me with any questions, or to discuss whether the Partnership Brokers Training is right for your needs.

I am always happy to make time for a coffee and chat.