Equity Self Review Tool - Karl And Tumama Talanoa

·24 min·2 clips

Carl and Tū reveal they're co-creating a secret Equity Self-Review Tool for organizations, but can't share details yet.

The episode features hosts Carl Summerfield, a learning designer, and Tūmamatu Odua (Tū), a product designer, both from Tātai Aho Rau. They introduce the Equity Self-Review Tool, a project still under development, which they are co-creating. The tool is intended to help organizations—including corporations, schools, government departments, and clubs—assess their current equity status and develop pathways for improvement. The hosts explain that equity differs from equality: equality focuses on equal inputs, while equity aims for equal outcomes, often requiring unequal inputs. Tū shares his background in education and how he uses his rugby club as a testing ground to ensure the tool is accessible and relevant beyond the education sector. He breaks down equity into three components: being equity-minded (awareness), equity by design (systems and policies), and equity in action (practical implementation). Carl emphasizes the tool's Aotearoa-specific focus, rooted in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which distinguishes it from overseas diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) tools. They discuss the challenge of designing the tool to safely surface stories of inequity without re-traumatizing marginalized individuals, citing an example where a Māori staff member was overburdened with karakia duties. The hosts reflect on the need for safety for all participants, including those perpetuating inequities and those affected by them. Tū mentions feedback from a senior leader about avoiding re-traumatization for education purposes. Carl expresses optimism about New Zealand's progress toward bicultural and multicultural equity. The episode concludes with an invitation for organizations to contact Tātai Aho Rau to learn more about the tool and begin their equity journey.

As heard by us

A practical, steady look at how equity can move from principle to daily practice.

The episode gives a clear, practical introduction to the Equity Self-Review Tool, with Carl Summerfield and Tumamatu Odua first defining what equity means before showing how the tool may help organizations work with it.

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Get a plain-English way to think about whether your systems support people.

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