Community Research

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…

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…

Violence within families and relationships is a widespread and critical issue confronting New Zealand society. Intervention programmes that work with perpetrators are essential for reducing reoffending and protecting those who…

The State of Volunteering 2024 report marks the sixth edition in Volunteering New Zealand’s ongoing series. We surveyed volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations. The state of volunteering is fairly positive, though…

The 2023 MATES Construction Industry Well-being Survey, supported by ASB, sheds light on the mental health and well-being of over 2,100 workers in New Zealand’s construction sector. The online and…

Our aim was to evaluate the needs of Autism NZ’s newest service within the Autism Resource Centre – the Autism Diagnostic Service. A mixed method survey and interview research project…

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…

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…

This report discusses some victim-survivors’ experiences of the NZ Police response to intimate partner, family and sexual violence and how that response can be improved. In late 2022, The Backbone…

This summary report discusses some victim-survivors’ experiences of the NZ Police response to intimate partner, family and sexual violence and how that response can be improved. In late 2022, The…

The Foodshed and Food System Analysis for the Buller district is part of a Local Food Economyinitiative. In providing insights into the foodshed and food system, KNECT (the local community…

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…

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…

Kōrero Mai | Talk to Me is an interactive online portal to help parents and caregivers talk to their kids about sexuality, gender and safety. With videos from other parents…

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…

Community Readiness Studies (CRS) are increasingly used in family violence research. This study is a way of understanding our community in relation to family violence and is a way to…

Challenge for Change (C4C) is a mentoring programme run by BGI, a youth development organisation. C4C fosters mentoring partnerships between volunteer mentors and young people ages 9-13. This research aimed…

Analyses showed that victim-survivors face significant barriers in accessing this visa. Proving violence and an inability to return to their country of origin due to social stigma are complex and…

This Evaluation Toolkit provides guidance and tools to enable a cohesive approach to measuring impact across our organisation and within the community. The toolkit informs our Annual Impact Story which…

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…

Young carers are a largely invisible and unsupported population of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) children and youth aged 25 years and under who physically, emotionally, socially, and/or spiritually support loved…

A qualitative snapshot of kindness through the lens of community service organisations in Aotearoa. This study began with a question: What is the role of kindness from the perspective of…

In 2021, Scouts Aotearoa, with support from Point, initiated an innovative project to address harmful gender norms within the movement. The impetus for this project was the results of an…

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…

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 study set within the superdiverse city of Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand examined how mainland Chinese first-generation immigrants and Pākehā (white New Zealanders) discursively understood each other in the context of…

This is a six month strategic learning report sharing the findings from a pilot to test the Participatory City Approach in the Connected Communities Department of te Kaunihera o Tāmaki…

The flows of COVID-19 across global terrains work unequally, impacting disproportionately the margins of global spaces. Refugees constitute the “margins of the margins” of globalization, constituted in spaces without access…

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…

Globally, non-formal education (NFE) plays an important role in youth development. However, while universal approaches to youth development are well researched, there is little research on what influences positive youth…

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…

Asian migrants are inevitably categorised as language learners. At times, it is the migrant’s own definition and can be used as a support. At others, it is an imposition in…

West 5: 4 Trauma is an action research project that looks at a model for trauma sensitive schooling within 5 different primary schools in West Auckland. The project used a…

In an online survey of New Zealand’s early childhood education services, schools and kura in late 2021/early 2022, over 83% of respondents involve volunteers, with volunteers most important in primary…

With funding from TOI Foundation, Sustainable Taranaki engaged in a 3-year research project to gain a deeper understanding of what drives sustainable behaviour change in our community and how to…

This report presents the findings from a study conducted to get community perspectives and responses to potentially establishing an Ethnic Community-led Research and Evaluation Centre in Aotearoa, New Zealand. As…

This report sets out the findings of a thematic analysis of selected community strategies and plans and reflections from community stakeholder hui where the key findings were discussed. The report…

The research looked into the SVA Service Award, a national framework for advancing secondary school student volunteering, to provide an in-depth insight into the benefits of youth volunteering, service and…

In 2021 the Billy Graham Youth Foundation (BGYF) had a network of 6 academies across New Zealand. 2021 was the third and final year of an evaluation to help the…

Coastguard is the primary marine search and rescue agency in New Zealand with 2, 000 volunteers around the country. Although Māori have significant cultural connections to the wai (water), as…

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…

Little is known in Aotearoa New Zealand about experiences of homelessness amongst Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ identifying people, despite growing international literature regarding LGBTIQ+ homelessness. Using data from semi-structured interviews with eight people…

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…

Whānau experiences of The Pride Project have indicated that whānau have improved social connections through participating in programmes and activities, that trust relationships with Hope Navigators help to breakdown barriers…

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…

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…

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…

This study of the Kiwi Tahi programme, a life-skill development programme for vulnerable young people (aged between 8-12 years old), was a collaboration between a lecturer in Social Practice at…

Most young people with disabilities reported positive family and school environments, high rates of volunteering, and moderate or good health. However, members of this group also reported major inequities compared…

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…

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…

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…

Loneliness is a distressing emotional state of not having meaningful connections with others. This study looked at levels of loneliness in Auckland, using data from Statistics NZ and Auckland Council.…

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…

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…

All young people are entitled to be safe and free from abuse at home, in schools and in communities. These are basic human rights, which are important for immediate and…

A project detailing the findings from interviewing 26 homeless men and women in Nelson and Blenheim. They were interviewed to surface what they felt were the areas they needed support…

Navigating the labour market in a new context can be a challenge for any migrant, and particularly so for former refugees, who are often unable to find employment appropriate for…

Life Unlimited secured funding from the Lotteries Commission to complete an evaluation of some of their services. The purpose of the evaluation was to use the EGL vision and principles…

About 1 in 3 NZ secondary school students have ever bet or gambled and 13% of these students want to cut down their gambling. This is about 1-2 students per…

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…

This report explores the potential for Māori to co-opt aspects of the cohousing model. A hybrid approach, combining elements of cohousing and papakāinga (as co-papakāinga, or ‘kaupapakāinga’ (kaupapa-based kāinga)) could…

This report provides data from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (Youth19) about secondary school students who reported being involved with Oranga Tamariki or Child Youth and Family Services. Youth19 is…

This report provides data from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (Youth19) about secondary school students who report they have been involved with Oranga Tamariki or Child Youth and Family Services…

This community-led, co-designed research project explores the impact of Northcote’s Urban Regeneration on community wellbeing. The research undertaken involved meaningful engagement with a diverse cross-section of the Northcote population and…

This research project sought to understand the circumstances behind MSD-applied sanctions and the impact of sanctions on beneficiaries in New Zealand. We found that research participants lacked an adequate understanding…

SociaLink asked social service providers via our newsletter and in discussion at the Managers forum to share what issues they are observing in the community and any issues their organisations…

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…

The Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (Youth19) is the latest in the Youth2000 series of health & wellbeing surveys. Youth19 was conducted in 2019 in the Auckland, Northland & Waikato regions…

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…

In this report we explore the wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school students with the following identities using data from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey:• Rainbow rangatahi Māori• Pacific…

Most Rainbow young people with a disability or chronic condition reported positive family and school environments. However, members of this group also reported very high rates of mental distress. Only…

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…

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:…

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…

One out of every 100 Youth19 participants identified as transgender or non-binary (1.0%). A further 0.6% reported that they were not sure of their gender. Three quarters (73%) of transgender…

Refugee background women, their connections, sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion in the Greater Wellington region: This report presents the qualitative findings of a research project focussing on the experiences…

‘The economic integration of women refugee entrepreneurs in NZ’ is Chapter 5 in the book ‘Women and Global Entrepreneurship: Contextualising Everyday Experiences’ available online at the link below. This chapter…

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 article is an analysis of when and why sports projects for disadvantaged children actually include the children and produce social capital. The Danish State has funded 42 sports projects…

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…

New Zealand [NZ] young carers are an invisible and disadvantaged population of children, youth, and young adults aged 25 years and under providing significant, ongoing care for a family member…

This article explores the attitudes of New Zealanders to the social marketing campaign ‘Give nothing to racism’. Thematic analysis was applied to a series of comments posted on the New…

This report highlights the sexual and reproductive health findings from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (Youth19). It is designed to be read with the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey, Initial Findings:…

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…

It is evident that the industrialization era has been characterized by high industrial and hazardous waste which has had adverse impacts on the human populations. It is also essential to…

This report highlights findings from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (Youth19) about students’ access to health care services. It is designed to be read with the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey,…

Upside Youth Mentoring Aotearoa is a community mentoring organisation specialising in the formation of supportive relationships between volunteers and young people aged between 9 and 13 years. A key focus…

Aim: This paper describes how we engaged with adolescents and health providers to integrate access to digital health interventions as part of a large-scale secondary school health and wellbeing survey…

This report highlights findings from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (Youth19) about smoking, vaping, alcohol use, and use of marijuana and other drugs. It is designed to be read with…

In New Zealand (NZ), due to the immigration policy change against family reunifications, many ‘forced’ transnational immigrant families emerged between NZ and other immigration sending countries. Closely tied family members…

The COVID-19 pandemic is an extraordinary challenge that has required extraordinary solutions. Harvesting and documenting the extraordinary, to distill what we now know possible, lies at the heart of this…

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…

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…

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…

In 2019, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (the Ministry) engaged Tiaho Limited, a respected kaupapa Māori research, evaluation, and policy development group, to develop…

In 2019, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (the Ministry) engaged Tiaho Limited, a respected kaupapa Māori research, evaluation, and policy development group, to develop…

Aotearoa New Zealand is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis, with the effects disproportionately felt by younger generations, single-parent households, Pacific Islanders, and Māori. Housing speculation, fuelled by…

What do you call journalism, or more importantly research, that is supported by repetitive misinformation, resulting in an accepted but incorrect, narrative? This is the case with the kava plant,…

In New Zealand, health equity is a pressing concern, and reaching disadvantaged populations has become the goal to close the inequity gap. Building and strengthening health systems is one way…

The GoodMeasure Report for KidsCan was created with KidsCan to inform it’s social enterprise decision-making for the benefit of the children it serves. The product was created for KidsCan using…

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…

There is no doubt that violence in primary stage is very common in many schools. This aggression can be verbal or physical. The verbal aggression is insulting a child in…

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,…

Employees of community based non-government organisation (NGO) social service agencies are vital in ensuring the most vulnerable people in our communities receive the services they need to enhance socio-economic outcomes.…

The Western Bay of Plenty covers the region from Waihi Beach in the north to Paengaroa to the east and Pyes Pa to the south, and includes Tauranga and Mount…

Delays in obtaining help with social and personal issues may result in people being on waiting lists for assistance with mental health, housing, counselling, special needs education services or assessments…

We believe that the public sphere should be a place of equal participation. As the internet, and social media especially, becomes an increasingly influential public space, these digital media have…

This research provides anthropological analysis into the intersection between migrants’ health, healthcare services, and the concept of migrant integration, focusing on the Luo community of Wellington as an ethnic minority…

This thesis addresses the many forms of racism that are found in three apps that are popular in New Zealand, namely Grindr, Jack’d, and Blued, through the experience of gay…

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…

This report provides robust evidence of the importance and impact of early intervention and parent management programmes for Māori. It is essential to make social investments into programmes such as…

Societies are looking towards innovative ways of accommodating the increasing number of people reaching 65 and without the provision of home ownership. This research follows five years of the development…

Independent study that quantifies the gap between what not-for-profit social service providers in NZ are funded to deliver and the real cost. I finds there is an estimated $630 million…

Social procurement is a powerful tool for addressing targeted aspects of social disparity while also purchasing required products, services or supplies. Infrastructure development, for instance, can also deliver training within…

In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 victims of serious crime in New Zealand to explore their experience of procedural justice and what justice meant to them. In the study, 68%…

Reflecting on community work and anti oppressive practices.

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 Social Services Snapshot is a longitudinal survey of social services. It tracks the issues impacting both local social social services and their clients and identifies service gaps.

The research has been commissioned by Shakti Community Council Inc. This is a literature review on violence against ethnic women especially in NZ. It also explores the possible responses to…

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…

The Hearts and Minds of Katikati research project was conceived by the Katikati Taiao and supported with funding from the Lotteries commission. The Hearts and Minds research aims to provide…

This report explores how regional and territorial authorities in Aotearoa New Zealand currently understand their role in climate adaptation, to what extent they are currently fulfilling that role, and how…

In Chapter 2 of the book ‘Educational Policies and Practices of English-Speaking Refugee Resettlement Countries‘, authors Zhiyan Basharati and Lucia Dore discuss the education of resettled refugees in Christchurch. The…

In the wake of the March 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack, which was live-streamed in an explicit attempt to foster support for white supremacist beliefs, it is clear that there is…

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…

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…

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…

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 report presents insights from our research and our interviews with people who have significant experience of restorative practice in the New Zealand context. We have utilised this knowledge to…

Objective: There is a paucity of health-related research on older Asian immigrants in New Zealand. The aim of this review was to critically examine literature on health and well-being of…

Foundation North’s new strategy identifies South Auckland as a priority community that is disproportionately affected by disparities across key indicators: income, education, employment, child and youth wellbeing and outcomes for…

Foundation North’s new strategy identifies Northland as a priority community that is disproportionately affected by disparities across key indicators: income, education, employment, child and youth wellbeing and outcomes for Māori.…

This report, written by Rachael Trotman of the Centre for Social Impact, focuses on the funders’ experience of the VOYCE collaboration, which also actively involved care-experienced children and young people,…

A new report commissioned by Foundation North, and prepared by the Centre for Social Impact and Ākina Foundation, looks at how impact investment could help the foundation, other philanthropic funders,…

A new report commissioned by Foundation North, and prepared by the Centre for Social Impact and Ākina Foundation, looks at how impact investment could help the foundation, other philanthropic funders,…

This paper covers the current ‘state of the art’ about best social research measures for the NZ context. The listing is also a useful checklist for those contemplating which to…

This report reflects the voices of people most directly affected by the New Zealand welfare system. Between 18 and 31 October 2018, 267 people contributed their perspectives, insights, and experiences…

A group of 30 homeless men were interviewed about their background, experience of services and their hopes for the future.

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…

In 2018, the government announced plans to develop a Child Wellbeing Strategy to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child. While this is an…

This article analyses data from Māori participants in a large study of grandparents raising grandchildren conducted in 2016 (the overall data was analysed and reported on in Gordon, 2016, 2017…

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 research aims to better understand the parenting practices of new migrants in Auckland’s North Shore communities. Its primary use is to assist Whānau Marama Parenting, a parenting programme provider…

Mapping the Social Sector in the Western Bay of Plenty project emerged from a need expressed by the sector to better understand itself, provide data for future planning, and to…

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,…

Identifying positive success factors and addressing the factors that impede academic success for minority students in higher education, is a priority for most countries that are experiencing rapid population diversity.…

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…

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…

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…

This document pulls together five strands of research. The first is a collection of demographic data concerning 502 participants who were referred to and attended programmes at Stopping Violence Dunedin…

OverviewThis report details aggregate findings from a formative evaluation of two Auckland-based Transition from Care to Independence (TCI) services – Launch and Ka Awatea. The original impetus for this evaluation…

This article advocates for fluid pedagogies that align with the transnational parenting practices of immigrant families. New Zealand is now considered to be a superdiverse country with a large population…

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…

This article presents findings from qualitative research data gathered from a group of ten refugee-background and immigrant African mothers living in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. The research study—From Mama Africa to…

The boards that govern Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who deliver social services face a range of complex challenges. They must secure sustainable funding, comply with changes in the law and…

This study is interested in the findings of interviews with women, services and individuals who experienced intensive social work support in their community of Counties Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand, while…

A project looking at men’s awareness of and potential engagement in the prevention of family violence.

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…

In light of the global humanitarian crisis, a climate of fear has arisen around refugees which is often exacerbated by the media perpetuating misinformation and negative stereotypes. Such misrepresentation is…

Purpose: To explore the experiences of older Filipino migrants adjusting to living permanently in New Zealand.Method: The qualitative descriptive approach taken in this study involved 17 individual face-to-face interviews of…

Sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities are increasingly recognised as vulnerable to intimate partner and sexual violence, but very little is known of specific experiences of people from these communities…

Sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities are increasingly recognised as vulnerable to intimate partner and sexual violence, but very little is known of specific experiences of people from these communities…

Grandparents raising grandchildren in New Zealand are entitled to the unsupported child benefit (UCB) if they meet the conditions for eligibility. To access the support, they are required to attend…

This paper summarises the findings of a small, in-depth research project undertaken at [School]; it has been prepared for the purpose of feeding back findings to the school. The findings…

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…

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.…

Diverse immigrants have significantly transformed the ethnic make-up of New Zealand, and they have brought with them diverse identities to this country. Findings from a doctoral research project which involved…

This is the ‘first cut’ report of a large quantitative and qualitative study of over 1000 grandparents or other kin in Aotearoa who have their grandchildren living with them. The…

This study explored the everyday lives, aspirations, and coping strategies of seven Eastern European immigrant women in New Zealand who came from Bulgaria, the former Eastern Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania,…

This report summarises the findings of research undertaken at an [School] and has been prepared for the purpose of feeding back findings to the school and to participants and for…

Grandparents raising grandchildren are often required to formalise caregiver arrangements before they are given access to support. Our study examined those who went to court before and after the family…

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…

Many Northland communities are relatively geographically isolated from urban centres. Because of this, services can be limited and travel, housing and the general cost of living are expensive for many.…

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…

Emerging literature highlights that in the Pacific, the use of participatory video (PV) is a new trend in research and community action. It can be employed as a tool to…

This research looked at some interrelated questions. What are the attributes of an organisation that builds social value? And what is it about faith-based aged care providers that makes them…

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…

Sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities are increasingly recognised as vulnerable to intimate partner and sexual violence, but very little is known of specific experiences of people from these communities…

This summary report details the results of a survey of n=1,076 New Zealand residents aged 18 years and older. The survey was conducted on behalf of the Male Survivors of…

Relationships are central to effective outcomes in the international development sector yet, there are very few frameworks or indicators to help measure the quality of trust – as the foundation…

If there was ever a single strategy that could combat the ongoing effects of colonisation on indigenous peoples, it would be the breeding of entrepreneurial thinkers and the practical application…

Crossroads Youth with a Future works with young people in the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch using a programme called Stay Real. This independent evaluation of Stay Real programme was conducted…

This report details an investigation into the experiences of African youth with the police and the New Zealand justice system. The research study involved a survey design to collect quantitative…

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…

These guidelines were part of a larger project by Te Ohaakii-a-Hine National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together, to support good practice across the country to a range of population groups…

In 2013, the Rise UP Trust gained Lotteries funding to explore culturally relevant and responsive ways to engage Pasifika whānau in their children’s learning, and to support the development of…

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…

Toi Ora is an NGO that aims to inspire positive mental health and wellbeing through the use of the arts and creative process. It is through this lens that the…

Recent years have seen an increased awareness of the risks that children of parents with mental illness or addiction (COPMIA) face. While there are a range of services that support…

Holding hope together celebrating the contribution of the non profit sector in rebuilding Christchurch communities post quakes. Pacific Trust Canterbury Christchurch Migrant Centre New Brighton Community Gardens Friends of Linwood…

A cohort of senior students attending five New Zealand secondary schools operating a peer mentoring programme were followed for 24 months. The aims of this project were to evaluate their…

This report was commissioned by Multicultural New Zealand assisted by a grant from the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. It is based on the outcomes of 34 workshops involving…

This report highlights the policy implications of research into the earthquake experiences of 150 Christchurch women interviewed for the Women’s Voices – Ngā Reo O Ngā Wahine Project. It focuses…

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…

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…

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…

BayTrust’s mission is to “effectively build, strengthen and enhance present and future Bay of Plenty Communities.” To support this, BayTrust approached the Centre for Social Impact to provide research and…

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…

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…

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

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…

‘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…

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’.…

New Zealand has an opportunity to become a global example of the benefits of organizational gender balance by showcasing the Christchurch rebuild as a project that promotes gender diversity. Equal…

United States, United Kingdom and Australian literature on the potential, and actual, impacts on not-for profit (NFP) social welfare and human services agencies of contracting with government highlight the risk…

This essay is based on theories of ‘new racism’, which explain how race and racism continue to play an integral role in our lives, but in subtle and often hidden…

Since 1925 Cholmondeley Children’s Centre (formally Cholmondeley Children’s Home) has provided emergency and planned respite residential care for children aged between 3 and 12 years old, that is directly accessible…

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…

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…

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…

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 medical/disabled category for quota refugees selected for resettlement in New Zealand allows entry to those who have either a medical condition that can be treated or helped in New…

A top priority for Youthline is for young people to be supported in their resilience and ability to thrive, their knowledge of where to go to get help, and their…

Mainstream media play a significant role in shaping public opinion in modern society. For refugees, misinterpretation (including associations with victimhood, foreignness and deviant behaviour) can hinder integration into New Zealand…

This is the final report of a research study undertaken by the National Council of Women (Christchurch Branch) between 2011 and 2014 with women living in Christchurch through the earthquakes.…

A full needs analysis of the early childhood communities from Haast to Punakaiki on the West Coast. The triangulation method involved interviews with parents, early childhood teachers, primary schools, playgroup…

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…

With the support of Lottery funding, the work reported here was conducted to document the needs of older adults in the Upper Clutha. Particular efforts were made to include outlying…

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 research explores the extent to which successful asylum seekers are able to participate in Aotearoa New Zealand life by documenting the experiences of 18 people who have been recognised…

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…

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 Jayar Charitable Trust (JCT) was established to invest funds for future distribution into the community through the JR McKenzie Trust (JRMT). Inspired by the late Peter McKenzie, who had…

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of the Anger Change Programme for Mothers. The Anger Change programme is a New Zealand-based child abuse prevention programme, developed…

During 2010 and 2011, a series of major earthquakes caused widespread damage in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. The magnitude 6.3 quake in February 2011 caused 185 fatalities. In…

Growing inequalities are leading to imbalances in the way people are able to live well and care for each other and the environment. I this issue we report on the…

This document is the final accountability report for a Lottery Community Sector Research Fund grant for Inspiring Communities to contribute to “understanding and accelerating community-led development in Aotearoa/New Zealand”. This…

The study was inspired by a growing awareness of the abuse of disabled people living in the New Zealand community. Next, while international research has highlighted that disabled people are…

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…

AMPLIFY is a 13-month action enquiry into the needs and best practice approaches for 9-13 year olds in the West Auckland suburbs of McLaren Park and Henderson South. The action…

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…

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…

This research investigates how young Somali women are navigating through the resettlement process while negotiating their own identities in Wellington, New Zealand. It is important as it addresses two main…

This study explores the issue of forced and underage marriage in Aotearoa New Zealand. It documents the stories of survivors of actual and threatened forced marriage. It also records the…

This report explores how creating overseas travel opportunities for young offenders, or those at risk of offending, are likely to have a positive impact on their lives and personal development.…

Evaluation of ToughLove parenting programme. funded by Lottery Community Sector Research Committee.

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.…

In mid-2012, the NGO Health and Disability Network explored older people’s health issues and the current role of the non-profit sector. By sharing these findings, the Network hopes to help…

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.…

This study examined the link between animal cruelty and family violence. The issue was investigated with a combination of in-depth interviews and a survey of 203 Women’s Refuge clients and…

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.

NZCCSS’s 11th Vulnerability Report looks at the period October to December 2011 and investigates trends in prices, employment and unemployment, benefits and hardship, housing, children in care, and debt. It…

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

This thesis aims to represent the experiences of individuals from this group within the broader contexts of refugee resettlement. A fundamental aspect of these experiences is the ambiguous and often…

This study contributes to an emerging body of work exploring family participation in outdoor recreation in New Zealand. Recreation research has also been slow to take the views of children…

Since 2002, ParentWorks, a programme of Christchurch Methodist Mission, has been helping non-custodial parents to build better relationships with their children and assist them both in the short and long…

This research analyses how power operates discursively within the western biomedical model as it pertains to the representations and treatment of refugee‑background women (and men) in Aotearoa New Zealand. It…

The resettlement experiences of Burmese women from refugee backgrounds living in Wellington are the focus of this thesis. Increasing numbers of people are being resettled worldwide, so it is important…

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.…

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…

Elder abuse and neglect prevention services support older people who have been abused or neglected to achieve a safer living environment. In some situations, lack of authoritative power prevents achievement…

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

The experience of living with endometriosis is, for many women, very challenging. A fortunate few find sympathetic doctors, relatively quick diagnosis and treatment, and uncomplicated recovery. They are able to…

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,…

Issue 37 of the Social Policy Journal of New Zealand comprises research papers on a wide range of topics with implications for policy across the social sector. Research relating to…

Poverty is experienced in many different ways and certainly involves much more than a lack of money or even economic power. This report brings together stories of the ways in…

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…

An in-depth research programme undertaken by Pillars has found that the effects of imprisonment on the children are profound and long lasting. The purpose of this practice manual is to…

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…

Summarises interviews with kaumatua/kuia from different rohe about their experiences of the transition to adulthood. Included in the report is a literature review on the subject of rites of passage…

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…

New Zealand organisations that are engaged in community development practice to empower women are disadvantaged under neo-liberal and third way style policies of the New Zealand Government. Recent research has…

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 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 gives voice to the clients of Link House Agency, a counselling and social work organisation dedicated to single parent families. The clients shared their stories during a focus…

The modern world is characterised by an increasingly mobile population as family members transfer or relocate nationally and/or internationally to pursue new career or lifestyle opportunities. How positive this decision…

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…

‘Healthy Relationships’ is a programme designed by Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower Trust to teach personal safety through explanations and interactive stories. The goal of the stories is to develop understanding of…

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…

PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) is a research tool that can assist in individual and whānau planning. It uses visual images alongside facilitation that seeks to clarify, research and…

The Social Report 2010 provides a picture of progress towards better social outcomes for New Zealanders. It shows how we are faring on a range of important social indicators and…

A pilot of social work support in a primary health setting was undertaken and elvauated in a small rural community in New Zealand. This pilot was part of a social…

The focus of this study is on Tuatapere, a rural south island community and how it managed the dramatic social changes over the past fifty years. Government policies,changes in international…

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.

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),…

New research into the intentions and aspirations of New Zealand Baby Boomers as the first of this generational cohort approach traditional retirement age.

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…

Fourteen social service agencies participated in the study to determine if the Social Services ITO could recognise their in-house training programmes against unit standards in social services. The study used…

This report is a piece of action research. It provides a snapshot of how the residents of Merivale, Tauranga feel about their suburb and reveals what they would like to…

NZCOSS’s first Vulnerability Report shows the recession’s community impact on NGO services. The Vulnerability Report will be produced quarterly and will actively monitor the level of economic and social hardship…

In 2007, the New Zealand Parliament passed a Private Members Bill to repeal Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961. A petition in response to this law change forced a…

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…

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…

Why this report has been produced The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Diverse Communities – Exploring the Migrant and Refugee Experience in New Zealand report brings together existing data and…

There are many reasons for studying the relationship between governments and nonprofits in the community services sector; it is a critical nexus though which much social policy implementation passes as…

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

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…

ABSTRACT ONLY: This paper interrogates the notion of exclusion with a particular focus upon the experiences of young women.

A stock-take of community organisations and their social services in Waitakere as part of the Local Services Mapping Initiative co-ordinated by Family and Community Services.

This report examines some factors that literature suggests are likely to impact on the way funding is distributed among community organisations.

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…

A review of Social Services Waikato and Arts Waikato.

In 2005 the New Zealand Police commissioned this research project to explore the perceptions of police held by members of various ethnic communities and to provide information on the current…

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…

The suburb of Kaiti in Gisborne is characterized by established families with a strong affinity to their community and a desire to challenge the negative reputation of Kaiti by making…

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

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…

The Local Government Act 2002 requires New Zealand local authorities to become actively involved in the development of social well being. Recent research indicates that the community and social services…

The KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER Trust (KIDPOWER) received a grant from The Todd Foundation to pilot and evaluate outcomes of one-hour sessions with 8 to 12 year old children in classes…

The KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER Trust (KIDPOWER) received a grant from The Todd Foundation to pilot and evaluate outcomes of one-hour sessions with 8 to 12 year old children in classes…

This paper discusses the need for multi-cultural methodologies that develop knowledge about the maternity experience of migrant women and that are attuned to women’s maternity-related requirements under multi-cultural conditions. Little…

This report examines the Domestic Violence Act including protection orders. The report highlights advocates’ concerns that the Act is not working effectively 10 years after it was passed.

All systems have needs, whether the systems be people, families, communities, cities, economics or ecosystems. System needs are complex. They exist simultaneously, and must be addressed systemically and holistically, rather…

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.…

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…

A series of hui and interviews to determine the guiding cultural and ethical issues for Iwi were undertaken in Hamilton and Rotorua for the kidZnet projec

As more and more activities – housework, childcare, looking after the sick and the old – become monetised and institutionalised, the values that allow people to provide services to one…

David Haigh AbstractThe 2023 elections in Aotearoa New Zealand raised crime as a major political issue. This was in spite of a general fall in crime statistics. Despite major population…