Community Research

Understanding psychosocial stressors in the construction industry is crucial for improving mental health outcomes. This research used qualitative methods, including 19 focus groups and 2 interviews with 115 industry workers,…

The Wellbeing and Arts, Culture and Creativity in the Waikato report explores the impact of arts, culture, and creativity on the overall well-being of Waikato residents. The report highlights that…

The Whiria te Tāngata Social Impact Report 2024 highlights the impact of Creative Waikato’s pilot multi-community artist-in-residence program, aimed at improving social cohesion and community well-being through creative practice. The…

Community Wealth Building puts people back at the center of local economies by ensuring wealth generated in a local economy is held and invested back into that area, and puts…

This research, via focus groups and a national survey, asked Takatāpui and Rainbow young people about their experiences of healthy relationships education in Aotearoa. The results reinforce existing evaluation findings:…

Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, in collaboration with Rainbow Hub Waikato, set out to find out what life is like for Takatāpui and Rainbow elders. These factsheets highlight recommendations from the…

Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, in collaboration with Rainbow Hub Waikato, set out to find out what life is like for Takatāpui and Rainbow elders. Underneath this broad question sat two…

This resource has been developed to assist journalists to write accurate news stories, based on an analysis of existing gaps in reporting on sexual violence. It includes recommendations based on…

This is the final report on the Making Ethnic Count pilot, a co-design and trial of effective data collection with four pilot organisations run by Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust. In…

Hapū are interested in local government due to their decision-making influence over the cultural, social, economic and environmental wellbeing of a district that can enable or restrict tino rangatiratanga. In…

Universities in Aotearoa New Zealand have been placed under the spotlight for claims of systemic racism. Following the claims made in relation to the University of Waikato in 2020 and…

Extreme weather events have become more frequent with climate change. The East Coast has been particularly hard hit in recent years. In early 2023 the Gisborne District Council commissioned Te…

This report tells the story of a project to explore using a regenerative approach to community-building. The pilot aimed to both learn and practice how to undertake regeneration with and…

New Zealanders have long-standing and multifaceted relationships with coasts, including recreation activities in, on and by the water. Leisure scholarship to date has paid little attention to outdoor recreation in…

A Community Readiness Study, abbreviated to CRS, is a way of gauging the community’s views of a particular issue. We are using this research method to discover how we can…

The health system in Aotearoa New Zealand is predicated on equity in access to health services as a fundamental objective yet barriers to equitable access for migrant and refugees continue…

On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, prompting many individuals at risk to seek safety elsewhere. Deeply concerned by the dire human rights situation, a coalition of…

Culture-centered engagement with ethnic communities on violence prevention Pooja Jayan engaged with ethnic and migrant communities in the Manawatu region to identify existing community needs in the context of primary…

Our research project was conducted throughout 2020 with the support of Alan Johnson from the Child Poverty Action Group. The report gives a voice to disabled people’s concerns about the…

This research was commissioned to deliver a review of the services provided by Continence NZ and make recommendations as to how the organisation can most effectively serve those living with…

The State of Volunteering is Volunteering New Zealand’s flagship report on the state of the community and voluntary sector. Over the years, this report has evolved, reflecting the demands of…

The economic and subsequent societal benefits that former refugees offer a host country is poorly understood in New Zealand. These former refugees are noted to be a most vulnerable minority…

As Māori around the motu continue to assert the mana motuhake in freshwater management, many are developing bespoke freshwater monitoring approaches that represent their own values for freshwater. Here, we…

Māori are amongst the highest likely to volunteer yet their contributions are under-represented in volunteering research. This important work has filled this gap stemming from focus group and surveys of…

This paper presents the findings of the Perceptions of Papakāinga project, which explores the connection between place, genealogy, and identity for two Māori (New Zealand’s Indigenous people) communities: one living…

The impact of economic crises on philanthropic funding to, and fundraising by, nonprofit organisations is a surprisingly under-researched field. Internationally, data is scant and comparisons are impeded by different categorisations…

We want to improve experiences with banks for community organisations. Community Networks Aotearoa volunteered to take leadership of a project to investigate and gather the stories of the sector, the…

Kei te pēhea aku mokopuna (How are my mokopuna doing?) is a simple question which Whanganui schools, their school boards, tumuaki and kaiako have heard for many years. However, the…

This book has been written during a time of great change and contestation as it relates to forced migration and global politics. The Syrian crisis has continued to deepen as…

This article presents a study with 20 Pacific Island community leaders and connectors about their communities’ perspectives and anticipated responses to natural hazards in Auckland, New Zealand. Home to the…

In March 2022, the government will review the New Zealand Refugee resettlement Strategy (NZRRS) for the first time in 10 years. This report responds to this opportunity and argues that…

At Community Housing Aotearoa, we have consistently advocated for Inclusionary Housing as one such intervention which should be integrated into our housing toolkit through legislation. We discuss the latest local…

Many New Zealanders consider the beach to be a great place for leisure activities. Despite our love of the water, New Zealanders have a terrible record of drowning deaths. Water…

This comprehensive mixed-method research, undertaken from December 2020 to July 2021, comprised: • A survey of visitor satisfaction relating to Waiheke visits (n=991) • A survey of Waiheke residents’ perspectives…

The philosophy of Mōkū Te Ao challenges the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa, Aotearoa to centre tamariki Māori (Māori children) in its work. In recent years, NZEI…

A report commissioned by Creative Waikato to research to measure the social impact of community engagement with arts, culture and creativity in Waikato. Developed to provide insights; to support ongoing…

In October 2018 the Ministry of Health launched system transformation in MidCentral region (Palmerston North, Levin, Otaki, Foxton, Feilding and the local environments). This new system was to be based…

In October 2018 the Government launched system transformation in MidCentral Region. This was a process that changed the way disabled people and their whānau received funding from the Government and…

In Oct 2018 a new system of providing funding support for disabled people was launched in MidCentral Region. It was called ‘system transformation’. This involved the creation of new funding…

Indigenous ways of caring for the environment have long been marginalised through research methodologies that are blind to a range of ways of knowing the world. Co-production of knowledge across…

Following on from our 2020 report on lockdown loneliness, Deputy Director and WSP in New Zealand Fellow Holly Walker has completed a 2021 update. The new report draws upon new…

The transport sector accounts for almost a quarter of our total climate emissions, and more than half of these come from private vehicles. New Zealand has committed to reaching net-zero…

Common Unity is a place-based charity which aims to regenerate communities. Common Unity is based in Epuni, a neighbourhood where many households experience high levels of deprivation. Common Unity’s Food…

In December 2020, the New Zealand Government announced that New Zealand would have a new Ministry for Ethnic Communities. There have been previous calls for the establishment of a standalone…

On 1 July 2021, Aotearoa New Zealand will have a new Ministry for Ethnic Communities, with the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities as the responsible Minister. This is…

This is paper is evaluation of the Taku Wairua programme to assess the diverse effects of the program and identify areas for improvement. Taku Wairua is a program designed to…

The survey by Volunteering New Zealand and Hui E! Community Aotearoa of more than 600 organisations in the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector showed the sector is experiencing increased…

The survey by Volunteering New Zealand and Hui E! Community Aotearoa of more than 600 organisations in the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector showed the sector is experiencing increased…

In 2015, the media began to report with greater frequency that NZ convenience stores were being robbed for tobacco products. There are three reasons why this was shocking to the…

Sport Otago completed a needs assessment to identify the physical activity needs and aspirations of priority groups in the Waitaki District (Waitaki) who have inequitable access to physical activity opportunities…

Community mobilisation (CM) is a transformative approach used to create social change on complex issues. CM has been used in practice for many years; however, until recently, had little presence…

Significant progress has been made addressing adolescent health needs in New Zealand, but monitoring and gathering high quality estimates of adolescent health and social issues remains challenging and resource intensive.…

New Zealand Youth19 survey: vaping has wider appeal than smoking in secondary school students, and most use nicotine‐containing e‐cigarettes Objective: To investigate smoking and vaping in secondary school students (aged…

New Zealand, like many other countries, is searching for effective ways to turn the tide on the problem of family violence.a The enormous costs to individuals, communities and society are…

E Tū Whānau (ETW) is a transformative Kaupapa Māori strategy which has been working to mobilise communities to address violence within whānau since 2008. This article explores the relationship between…

This report is for knowledge holders, communicators, advocates, non-government service providers and designers working on the changes that will make the biggest difference for whānau, communities, and the planet. Central…

This guide is intended to provide knowledge and insights to those creating communications and working alongside whānau, aiga, magafoua, famili, vuvalue, utu, kopu tangata and members of the community who…

This short guide summarises the finding of the research set out in ‘Talking about Poverty and Welfare Reform’. It provides a short overview of the tested messages that were most…

A research paper for InternetNZ and the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation. The purpose of this research was to uncover the biggest obstacles to digital inclusion, and what will be most…

The persistent educational achievement gap and historically haphazard nature of progress for students in impoverished contexts in New Zealand primary schools is a deep-seated problem needing urgent attention. This multifaceted…

The 2021 New Zealand Cause Report is a reference resource for Aotearoa New Zealand’s multidimensional charitable and broader for-purpose sector, and is a follow on from the 2017 Cause Report.…

Migrants may experience immunisation inequities compared with the host population related to barriers with accessing immunisations in their home countries, while migrating and/or post-arrival. This retrospective cohort study explored vaccination…

Background International migration is a worldwide phenomenon, with an increased presence of international students (i.e., short-term migrants) residing in host countries for limited periods of time. Migrants may be exposed…

Migrants may experience a higher burden of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD)-associated hospitalisations compared to the host population. A retrospective cohort study from 2006 to 2015 was conducted that linked de-identified data…

Migrants can be disproportionately impacted by disasters due to their increased vulnerability. Knowledge of Chinese migrants’ perceptions and experiences in the face of hazards and disasters is limited. This qualitative…

This report presents a descriptive analysis of stakeholders’ perspectives on significant changes in the refugee resettlement sector since 1987. Stakeholder views have been supplemented with information from documentary sources, which…

Quota Refugees Ten Years On: Perspectives on Integration, Community and Identity is a multi-year research programme that was developed to better understand the long-term journeys of refugees in New Zealand.…

Quota Refugees Ten Years On: Perspectives on Integration, Community and Identity is a multi-year research programme that was developed to better understand the long-term journeys of refugees in New Zealand.…

The ability of education to transform individuals’ lives, and by extension those of their communities and societies, is well documented. As such, education is at the heart of the United…

This report is a summary of learnings from involvement in the student-run club Global Remix (GR) at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) this year. It is written by students from…

What can be learned from the process of community-engaged research (CER) on refugee resettlement? In the following, we share experiences, reflections, and lessons from implementing such a project. We begin…

This study explores the experiences of refugee Muslim women as they accessed and navigated the healthcare system in AotearoaNew Zealand (NZ). A case-oriented approach was used, where semi-structured interviews were…

Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) has developed the recent migrant volunteering strategy to improve the experiences of recent migrant volunteers and promote migrant volunteering best practice across the sector. This strategy…

This report provides an update on the status of the volunteering sector as at May 2021. Our work draws on data collected via stakeholder feedback, a focus group with Volunteer…

Volunteering New Zealand recently surveyed more than 3,000 people across the community and voluntary sector. They include community leaders, researchers and thought leaders, managers of voluntary organisations, and frontline volunteers.…

The latest New Zealand Census figures indicate that between 2006 and 2013 over five thousand speakers of Spanish joined the nation’s population, mostly as the result, we can assume, of…

As New Zealanders, when we think about fair futures for refugees, we have to think about what is fair collectively and individually, and what is fair in local, regional, national,…

As social media platforms and the associated communication technologies become increasingly available, affordable and usable, these tools effectively enable forced migrants to negotiate political life across borders. This connection provides…

Young people from refugee backgrounds represent an important resource for disaster risk reduction within their respective communities. This paper presents a qualitative study with young people from refugee backgrounds and…

The process of resettlement as a refugee often involves adapting to, and reconciling with, a new social reality. The complexities associated with acculturation across age, gender and family dynamics are…

The pedagogical implications of encouraging social work students to consider the inter-sections of social justice with communities affected by disasters are considerable. This focus is key as disasters can impact…

The refugee label acknowledges the plight of people marginalized, oppressed and pushed to the periphery of society. While having this status affords a number of rights from countries signatory to…

A survey of Aotearoa New Zealand’s community sector on the impacts of COVID‐19: This report details the findings of a national COVID‐19 impact survey carried out across the Tangata Whenua,…

After completing nine months cross-context research in Eastern Fiji, I wrote my Master’s thesis to answer this question: To what extent do local concerns, with regard to climate change, inform…

The purpose of the report is to evaluate the first two years of the Mana Whānau programme, to identify the approach, key components and delivery mechanisms, determine how well it…

This backgrounder is a starting point. The Refugee Youth Action Group (Wellington) is made up of government and non-government agencies keen to see action on the issues so refugee-background youth…

This report documents the experience of a group of researchers who started a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project with the Assyrian Youth community in Wellington. The objective of the project…

This report is the product of a group research project carried out in partnership with Victoria University students, secondary school refugee students and the facilitators of the Homework Club. Set…

New Zealand is one of eleven countries that has been annually resettling refugees as part of the UNHCR refugee resettlement programme since the 1980s. Consequently, New Zealand’s refugee-background population continues…

This project aimed to strengthen the well-being of African Youth in Wellington by identifying issues they face, and developing strategies to address the issues. The project was implemented by Evolve,…

We wish to examine a number of events arising from statements made by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters during the 1996 election campaign and the public response to them.…

This report identifies the nature of discrimination experienced and/or perceived by new settlers in New Zealand. The research results presented are derived from data collected via four focus groups conducted…

IntroductionRaukatauri Music Therapy Trust (RMTT) offers the only music therapy centres in New Zealand, coordinated through its central Auckland operations. RMTT works across Auckland through five satellite services and two…

The Rule Foundation and Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust (RNZCT) are proud to release a report on the state of Rainbow Philanthropy in Aotearoa. Conducted between August 2019 and April…

This work was a translational research project undertaken by Burwood Academy of Independent Living (BAIL) on behalf of the New Zealand Spinal Trust (NZST; based at the Burwood Spinal Unit,…

Abstract There is ample evidence that a number of women leaders tend to adopt an authoritarian model of leadership. If I have found it necessary to question what drives women…

EDUCATION: A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE? THE KENYAN PERSPECTIVE This study aims to facilitate debate about the State’s efforts in taking a rights-based approach in the education sector. The study…

This report summarises the research and explains how we developed and used a ‘Community Economy Return on Investment’ tool to document and measure the transformative social and environmental outcomes of…

The Can Cau market in Si Ma Cai district, northern Vietnam is a traditional market of the Red Mhong ethnic minority. The Mhongs have been living here for several generations…

BGI facilitated a diverse group of about 20 young people (who named themselves Te Ahi o Ngā Rangatahi (The Fire of Youth)) to identify issues facing young people and develop…

A study on the COVID-19

E ngā tini kārangarangatanga maha puta noa i te motu, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātau katoa. Tēnā tātau me te ngārara nui, a te mate korouna, kua pae mai ki tēnei…

Many people have learned basic facts about the Treaty, but this is not enough to know how to apply it in organisational contexts. After attending my first Treaty training I…

Resettlement provides access to rights similar to other New Zealanders and the opportunity to eventually gain citizenship. It also provides an avenue for countries like New Zealand to share international…

This report has presented the results of three research projects carried out in the wider Southland region: interviews with household members about population change; a survey of employers in the…

The Nga Tangata Oho Mairangi (NTOM) research programme is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The programme of research is broad and involves both Massey and…

Diversity, in all its manifestations, is an important part of New Zealand society and the country’s contemporary business environment. The New Zealand Workplace Diversity Survey is an annual record of…

This study addresses the recreational behaviours of immigrants and ethnic minorities, with a focus on nature-based recreation in national and regional parks. The study was comprised of a survey questionnaire…

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the relative importance of predictors of the self-rated adjustment and psychiatric morbidity of recent Chinese migrants. Method: Chinese…

The purpose of this document is to:1. Provide Information about CALD population demographics and characteristics, increasing workforce diversity, service barriers, and why the need for cultural competence2. Recommend Best Practice…

From arrival in New Zealand refugee students are disadvantaged as they will often not have had the experience of formal education. In New Zealand, the mismatch of age and placement…

Quota Refugees Ten Years On: Perspectives on Integration, Community, and Identity is a multi-year research programme that was developed to better understand the long-term journeys of refugees in New Zealand.…

In pursuing their purpose of supporting migrants, former refugees, and people from minority ethnicities with their settlement processes, the Nelson Multicultural Council contracted the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research at…

When refugees are resettled into a destination, refugee-focused service providers offer frontline services to ease refugees’ experiences of trauma and marginalisation, providing advocacy and welcome through reception processes, translation services,…

This report presents the findings of a survey of 211 parents of students at Mount Aspiring College, Wanaka. Parents were asked about their recent supply of alcohol to their teenagers,…

This evaluation was conducted to understand the impact Wanaka Alcohol Group’s work is having in the Upper Clutha region. The intent of the evaluation was to also generate information that…

The He Kāinga Pai Rawa project (2017-2019) aimed to find out what made Moa Crescent Kaumātua Village a healthy housing community for Kaumātua. The vision for our study was to…

This thesis is a cultural journey of interconnectivity between Te Ao Māori and social work supervision. Its main focus is to honour and validate tupuna or ancestral knowledge from Te…

Taranaki has a rich and diverse history related to maritime culture. Located on the lower west coast of the North Island, this region was most notable historically for the Taranaki…

In  1936  71%  of  Māori  lived  in  dwellings  that  the  whānau  owned,  by  1991  the   ownership  rate  had  fallen  to  56%,  by  2013  it  was  at  43%,  and  today…

The Whai Rawa whenu in the Kāinga Tahi, Kāinga Rua research programme explores the regulations, planning and financing rules, governing structures, and leadership styles that shape current Māori housing. Our…

This literature review has been prepared for the Kāinga Tahi Kāinga Rua research direction as part of the Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities National Science Challenge by members of…

This research report summarises the findings of Philanthropy New Zealand’s (“PNZ”) Tangata Whenua and Diversity Project (2018–2019). This project was started due to the lack of research on the philanthropic…

Obesity in children is a global health concern. In New Zealand, one in three school entrant children are overweight or obese. M¯aori, the indigenous people, are disproportionately represented among the…

Mandated organ donation would greatly increase the overall functionality and wellbeing of populations in the United States. It therefore should be considered to change the current default from having to…

This research is a community-managed discovery of the ingredients underlying the neighbourhood-led approach of Randwick Park’s community leadership. It explains the basis of this shared kaupapa and explores some of…

This is an article written by a Maori business partnership who presented and attended a conference on racial equity in the United States in October 2018. Looking through a Maori…

Kia Pū te Wai o Pareira: Catalysts of Whānau Health and Wellbeing in West Auckland is the technical report following an 18-month study of Māori living in West Auckland. This…

Kimihia te Hauora Hinengaro: Pathways to Mental Health report is on a study conducted by Wai Research which explores the relevance of the inclusion of Māori cultural elements in therapeutic…

Inspiring Communities and the Tamarack Institute have co-written a new paper in which we reflect on changes in community-led change over the past decade from both Canadian and New Zealand…

Based on a field study in 2013, it analyses the role of coffee production in the socio-economic and livelihoods of small-holders. It presents prospects for livelihoods upliftment and some of…

For the third year running, Volunteering NZ has undertaken a survey with all registered charities nationwide, to create a general view of the volunteer landscape. The report had 1,584 responses…

The primary objective of this research was to identify how people felt about living in the wider Waimate District, and the barriers to particpation for residents. This research will in…

This report is the result of a research project funded by the Lottery Grants Board through the Lottery Community Sector Research Committee, into the impact of the oneCO-OPERATIVE initiative of…

The main purpose of this research and evaluation is to really understand from a young person’s perspective, their connection and relevancy to Youthline Wellington. In addition to that, we wanted…

Project Background: The Hastings District Council ‘Supporting Social Wellbeing Strategic Framework 2010’, has as one of its key outcomes: Young people connect and develop positively within the community and add…

How do we measure or report on the impact of capacity building? This review reports on the effectiveness and ‘value for money’ of a community capacity building hub (Community Waikato),…

This review found that support for capacity building is useful, and enables the funder (in this case Trust Waikato) to increase its impact in the community, enhance non-profit sustainability, and…

This monograph reviews the state of the third sector in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and is the first comprehensive overview of the research that has studied and documented…

An experiment which resulted in better partnerships between schools and science providers, and more ‘wow’ science experiences in classrooms. The Todd Foundation recently completed its Curious Classrooms project with a…

Community Safety is relevant at both individual and community levels. This research report is about perceptions of safety which is different from an objective measure of changing crime rates, or…

Suicide in New Zealand is considered to be a major health crisis, with Māori taitamariki (youth) featuring in disproportionate numbers as more likely to die from suicide than non-Māori youth.…

Purchase-of-service contracting with voluntary organisations for social services in Aotearoa New Zealand is examined, in the context of international trends and as a part of the long run historical evolution…

What has happened in the 25 years or so since purchase-of-service contracting was introduced for government funding of voluntary organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand? This article provides a brief commentary…

The cost of homelessness to society and to the individual is difficult to measure, which in turn makes it difficult to formulate and evaluate meaningful policy change to address rising…

The purpose of this project was to update existing ‘Good Practice Guidelines’, building upon the findings of the initial project conducted in 2009. The development of ‘Good Practice Guidelines’ aims…

this review sketches a picture of changing demand and supply for elder care home care support services and evolving best practice. The future of care of older people is imagined…

This paper presents the lessons from phase I of the community driven development (CDD) project being implemented in Myanmar. The CDD approach has a special relevance and application in the…

Over the last decade, government agencies, the community and voluntary sector, and academics have all noted the changes difficulties, and tensions being caused by government policies and processes surrounding social…

Although now coming to the fore in New Zealand in a new way, public policy has put increasing emphasis on ‘outcomes’, ‘impacts’ and ‘results’ for at least a quarter of…

NZ Council of Christian Social Services, in partnership with the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, and in consultation with the NZ Council of Social Services, produced this paper “to…

What drives the dyslexic leader and how can we support the development of leaders who happen to have dyslexia? I also asked myself how am I going to support my…

Animal assisted activities (AAA) are increasingly being seen as an important part of the range of interventions in the helping professions including social work. Whilst a code of ethics has…

This article discusses the development and contested nature of community development practice and the effects of neoliberalism on community development in Aotearoa New Zealand. We describe how community development has…

Social Work is traditionally human-centered in practice, even though for many the bond between humans and animals is the most fundamental of daily-lived experiences. The intent of this paper is…

‘Collective Impact’ has been sweeping the non-profit world by storm, beginning in North America and gaining popularity in Australia and New Zealand. Collective Impact sees that no single organisation can…

This research examined the legal needs of beneficiaries and how community law centres can respond. Beneficiaries’ experiences of accessing welfare entitlements, reviewing and appealing benefit decisions to Medical Appeals Boards,…

Despite the vitality of kapa haka as an art form and its significance to our culture, its value is not well understood or documented. There have been surprisingly few studies…

Governments around the world are making increasing use of contracting “technologies” to purchase services from voluntary organizations – both in privatising (contracting out) previously government-provided services and in reining in…

A paper written and presented by Megan Woods MP for the inaugural Christchurch Womens Researchers Breakfast, Otauatahi-Christchurch, Thursday 21st November 2014

From arrival in New Zealand refugee students are disadvantaged as they will often not have had the experience of formal education. In New Zealand, the mismatch of age and placement…

This report presents the results of a small scale process and outcomes evaluation of jigsaw Whanganui’s White Water Years Parenting Programme carried out during 2014 and funded through a Lottery…

The research looks at how Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) have been involved in and impacted by mid- to long-term recovery efforts, following the Christchurch earthquakes. Relocation information of TSOs’ offices…

This case study of Jalin Merapi in the 2010 Merapi volcanic eruption captures how local communities can empower themselves through participation in providing, sharing and verifying information within their social…

Not-for-profits, community-based organisations and social enterprises have volunteerism at its roots, and for many at its heart. The ‘Third Sector’ is still commonly known to many as the ‘Voluntary Sector’.…

The disability sector in Australia is experiencing a period of unprecedented, transformational change with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This paper is a case study of House…

Following the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, Third Sector Organizations (TSOs) are increasingly relied on to maintain community connectivity, and well-being. As demolition and red zoning alter livelihood options, TSOs are…

This is a legal review of all laws touching on the issue of human trafficking, slavery and labour exploitation in New Zealand. It makes recommendations for legislative and policy changes…

This is a study undertaken by the Howard league for Penal Reform on reintegration services in teh Canterbury region. It is a multi faceted study involving interviews with prison and…

In February 2014, the NGO Health and Disability Network held five Good Governance workshops around New Zealand. These were attended by more than 150 board members from approx 85 non-profit…

There is little information in Aotearoa New Zealand about how women are represented in the Community and Voluntary Sector, despite the fact that the the sector’s voluntary and paid workforce…

The Christchurch earthquakes can be viewed from many disciplines: geology, geography, history, disaster management, psychology, sociology etc. For the past two years, the National Council of Women in Christchurch has…

The phrase ‘He Mokopuna He Tupuna ’ is one that provides a cultural framework for understanding the positioning of tamariki within Te Ao Māori . It is drawn from the…

This report outlines the process and findings of research undertaken by young people living in Waimarino, with support from the Raetihi Community Trust and the SHORE and Whariki Research Centre…

The rationale for this thesis “Matua Whangai – Can we invigorate an important concept of social work?” is quite simply that: – – The deaths of our babies have shattered…

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) is the agency leading and coordinating the recovery of greater Christchurch following the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes. The area over which CERA…

The following report presents a summarisation of the development research and evaluation project “Evaluation for More Effective Community Development”. This project was initiated by Community Waitakere in 2012 and completed…

Te Kooti o Timatanga Hou, or the Court of New Beginnings, was established in October 2010 following advocacy to the Chief District Court Judge by Lifewise, an agency working with…

DOVE and EIT wanted to address this by examining the efficacy of family violence prevention services run for men, women and youth in Hawke’s Bay. In particular, we were interested…

The DOVE Research Project came about after discussions between family violence intervention service, DOVE Hawkes Bay (DOVE) and the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) about the high levels of family…

This is stage 2 of a 4 stage COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION RESEARCH PROJECT. We know it’s important to reflect on our past so we are able to chart a course…

This report studied six communities affected by the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Our project found that connected communities with good community infrastructure (e.g. local networks, marae, organisations, and leaders)…

The important role of community and voluntary sector organisations to democratic debate and policy development is widely acknowledged by governments, academics, and the sector itself. However, our survey of 153…

The successful delivery of services and programmes by Māori and iwi providers is key to building Māori community capacity and therefore in addressing Mäori/non-Māori disparities (across, for example, health, education,…

The case studies were chosen by the leadership team at Community Waitakere. While Community Waitakere operates in the community development space, the case studies are not entirely from organisations that…

This report presents the findings from the Childwatch project. To the best of our knowledge it is the first international project of its kind to identify and explore the ethical…

The Girls’ project, a two-year investigation of girls’ use of violence and anti-social behaviour, which was conducted in the Tasman Police District between August 09 and August 11. The goal…

After the Sept 2010 earthquake, a series of meetings were held with community organisations in Christchurch to enable them to learn from each other about supporting their communities and to…

An investigation into the population in Golden Bay and what they need to be able to ‘Age in Place’

Little is known about the experiences of women who enter New Zealand through the Women at Risk category identified by UNHCR. The purpose of this project was to examine the…

This is the final report of a two year research project entitled ‘A study of the children of prisoners’.

Invisible Children is the first year report of a three year research project entitled ‘A Study of the Children of Prisoners’.

To evaluate how the SeniorNet service is meeting the needs of older adults in learning new technology and to improve an understanding of older adults learning needs.

NZCCSS’s 12th Vulnerability Report uses both government data and community information to illustrate how the materially poorest in our community have been faring in the year to December 2011.

This report measures philanthropy in New Zealand during 2011; that is, how much money New Zealanders and their organisations (trusts & foundations, individuals and businesses) gave to charitable and other…

Te Korowai has been development from seven interconnecting themes raised by hui with kaumatua and represents the concepts and practicalities of whanau ora. Te Korowai looks at the individual while…

This report summarises the main top-line results from a survey conducted by the NGO Working Group in July 2007. It is a repeat of a similar survey carried out in…

This discussion paper provides an initial NGO perspective on possible re-organisation of the planning and funding environment resulting from changes to the health system. It is for use by government…

This document summarises a number of issues raised by NGOs about the barriers to, and opportunities for, innovation and collaboration within the health and disability NGO sector. It is based…

Masters thesis Through literature review, case studies and semi-structured interviews, a pool of knowledge was identified using a kaupapa Maori approach to draw out a set of themes and indicators.…

The tenth Vulnerability Report covers September 2011. It illustrates the experiences and pressure points for both families and social service agencies. Data from Christian agencies who are members of the…

This report catalogues how the most vulnerable members of our population are doing. It contains a mixture of official data, and data and anecdotes from NZCCSS agencies regarding prices, wages,…

A qualitative project explored the lived experiences and social service needs of affected or at-risk Black African migrants, refugees and their family members in New Zealand. One of the main…

Address to “Our Future Community and Voluntary Sector Forum”, Hosted by Council of Social Services Christchurch and Te Runaka ki Otautahi Kai Tahu, Christchurch, 28 July 2011. Drawing on lessons…

A document presenting some simple ways to analyse current health networks and how to look to strengthen them.

In late 2009 a survey was carried out to every house in Aranui. Questions were asked about the 5 result areas that the trust is working towards. These 5 areas…

This presentation to the 2010 Community Research Awards provides insight into the approach to community research by the Te Rarawa Iwi Research and Development Group (IRD). Located within Te Runanga…

Presentation slides presented at ‘Reporting on the difference we make’ workshop in Wellington on 9th December 2010.

This transdisciplinary study explores holistic models of education and community development. The research seeks practical solutions to barriers to educational progress. It looks at how to build local capacity and…

This issue of Mana Mahi highlights a number of exciting events and opportunities organised by the Workplace Wellbeing Project in November/December 2008 for sector employers and managers to add to…

This edition of Mana Mahi discusses issues of pay parity; the results of the Strategic Pay Not for Profit Sector 2008 Remuneration Survey; feedback from our Effective Employment Relations workshops;…

Welcome to the second newsletter of the Workplace Wellbeing Project, a sector-driven initiative which seeks to promote and support good employment practices and relationships in our sector. In this issue…

This is the first in a series of newsletters produced by the Workplace Wellbeing Project to keep people up to date with what is happening with the project, and with…

The Federation Of Workers’ Educational Associations Aotearoa New Zealand Inc: Constitution

The WEA, Telling our stories: Celebrating 90 Years of Community Education

This report is on the effects of family violence on employment opportunities for Maori women. Maori women’s employment is affected through their partner coming to their workplace and creating scenes,…

The aim of this research was to identify indicators of an individual’s deprivation appropriate for all ethnic groups, that can be combined into a single and simple index of individual…

Financial and accounting. This powerpoint file contains slides presented at the ANZTSR workshop held on 25th November 2008.

An examination of the link between problem gambling and family violence.

The NgOIT 2005 Landscape Survey is a collection of data provided by community (non-government) mental health and addiction service providers in New Zealand. It is an overview of the community…

This report adds to the growing body of knowledge about non-government organisations (NGOs) in New Zealand contracted by the Crown to provide mental health and addictions services in the community.…

Counting for More is focused on a pilot study of outputs and outcomes and is a major milestone for the VAVA (Value Added by Voluntary Agencies) project initiated in 2002…

A review of the Clearing House project as part of the requirements of the Department of Internal Affairs Community Partnership Fund

This paper looks at how local government in New Zealand is working to improve the participation of residents in local decision-making. The research looked at three communities where community planning…

This evaluation follows a broad-ranging evaluation of the Voluntary Agency Support Scheme (VASS) in 1998 that focused on rationale, purpose, structure, management and ‘place’ of VASS in relation to international…

An overview of civil society organisations and the concepts of ‘civil society’ and ‘social capital’ in Australia and New Zealand research, politics and wider usage. Similarities and differences between the…

The Federation of SeniorNet Societies has commissioned this study to evaluate how the SeniorNet service is meeting the needs of older adults in learning new technology and to improve an…

This study analysed newspaper and television news items about Maori issues and te Tiriti o Waitangi. It found mass media used persistent negative themes about Maori, Pakeha news frames and…

There are women who are not in permanent safe or secure homes in New Zealand. Their houses are damp, cold and unsafe. The violence and poverty these women face means…

The relationship between housing and recovery from mental illness has been recognised by users and providers of mental health services in New Zealand in a number of reports and discussion…

This summary report provides baseline data for understanding the sector and the role and importance of those managing volunteers. It is a snapshot. It tells us who are managing volunteers,…

Volunteering for Maori is based on the notion of whanaungatanga (kinship) and the benefits derived from contributing to the common good. Within Maori culture, conceptions of self are linked to…

Promoting Community Well-being: A study of the involvement of Councils of Social Services in Local Authority community Outcomes Processes.

This report provides the most accurate picture yet of the New Zealand non-profit sector and shows how it compares with 40 other countries. It gives us a better understanding of…

NZAID is seeking to move to a more strategic developmental approach that meets their principles and ways of working to effectively address the needs of people living with disabilities in…

Accountability is usually assumed to be an unmitigated good for Third Sector organisations – the more the better. While there are some benefits from externally imposed accountability requirements, they can…

The Background provides a summary of various key developments over the last decade in working to strengthen relationships between Government and the Tangata Whenua, Community & Voluntary Sector. Analysis concludes…

The briefing draws selected verbatim extracts from various Government and community organisation briefing documents. Collated to inform Todd Foundation‚ strategic planning process in 2010, the paper focuses on the key…

This is a brief report of an August 2008 seminar, sponsored by the Tangata Whenua, Community & Voluntary Sector Research Centre on possibilities for a sector-wide survey in Aotearoa New…

The remarks of Garth Nowland-Foreman, Chair of the Committee for the Study of the New Zealand Non-Profit Sector on the launch of ‘The New Zealand Non-Profit Sector in Comparative Perspective’…

Increased accountability is often assumed to only be desirable for non-profit and voluntary organisations. This papers outlines some of the risks and dangers from externally imposed, and especially, ‘classic’ (legalistic)…

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly Book Review: Third Sector: The Contribution of Nonprofit and Cooperative Enterprises in Australia, by Mark Lyons. St. Leonards, Australia: Allen & Unwin, 2001.

What is happening to government funding of voluntary organisations in Aotearoa/New Zealand? Where is it heading? What does it mean for voluntary organisations?

This is the ‘accidental’ joint funding which may very well describe the situation for the 99 per cent of non-profit organisations that orchestrate the mix of funding they require to…

A review of Social Services Waikato and Arts Waikato.

A review of research into the employment of people with experience of mental illness, and the issues which arise from that subject.

Good practice happens inside and outside the classroom. Sometimes it is about bringing the outside in. Our good practice story is really about a process which adds value to the…

A review of the historical development of the New Zealand Council of Social Services – its place in Aotearoa New Zealand’s social policy landscape, its relationships with other national umbrella…

These powerpoints were presented at an ANZTSR workshop on 25th November 2008. They present an overview of the current financial reporting requirements in (i) New Zealand and (ii) Australia. The…

A study of the costs and impacts of employment relationship problems and how the parties to an ERP decide how to progress the issues.

This article describes about the Si Ma Cai market in the northern Vietnam. The importance of the market in the life of Mhong ethnic minority and the new developments in…

This paper reports on a meta-analysis of ten community action projects. The activation, consolidation and transition or completion stages of the projects were examined to identify commonalities in structures and…

This paper compares the ‘Achieving Better Community Development’ (ABCD) model for organisational practice (Barr & Hashagen 2000) with the organisational practices in New Zealand ‘social development’ approach to social service…

In recent years ‘third way’ style governments have sought to partner with third sector organisations in ‘joined up’ government. The neo-liberal basis for the third way model has sought to…

This article examines the contemporary practice of community development in New Zealand by considering its application to third sector organisational case studies. Broadly speaking community development is held up as…

The vision of the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre will be implemented primarily through five key strategies: (1) visibility and access, (2) quality and good practice, (3)…

The Code Of Practice describes optimum practices in community research for the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre. It is written for the researcher, whether with a tertiary,…

Policy makers, and those intending to be influential around sport and recreation in Pasifika communities, need to make decisions and develop programmes that are culturally aligned and relevant. They should…

NZCCSS’s Vulnerability Report Issue 13 covers the period January – March 2012. The report shows what life is like three years on from the first report done in June 2009.…