Community Research

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…

Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) encompasses a broad range of behaviours that children under the age of 18 display towards their parents/caregivers. The violence can continue into adulthood.…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

This report presents contemporary information on the health and wellbeing of secondary school students in New Zealand who have an Asian identity. The report is based on findings from the…

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…

‘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…

The New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy was developed and implemented in 2013 with the aim of improving outcomes for former refugees. The overarching aim of the strategy is to ensure…

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.…

While still fragile, the community and voluntary sector is generally more stable and viable than it was two years ago. The survey of 129 community and voluntary organisations shows that…

This 2020 State of the Sector Survey is the fourth biennial snapshot of the community and voluntary sector undertaken by ComVoices. Its findings reinforce those of previous surveys and other…

Introduction:Music is an art, whose medium is sound organized in time, however, playing music could make the listener a happier person as it releases pleasurable hormones and increases dopamine levels.Relaxing…

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…

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…

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.…

Challenges related to MOOC and student dropout prediction

The modern-day healthcare systems incessantly undergo rapid shifts ranging due to the fiscal meltdowns. As such, it is evident that healthcare facilities, especially, in rural areas need a unique type…

This study reassesses the explanations as presented in surveys accessible on Internet for the average poor learner performance at many Mozambican schools, while suggesting some alternative ones in an attempt…

Reflecting on community work and anti oppressive practices.

Motivated by continuing educational disparities for Pasifika, and the paucity of research around Pasifika strategies coming out of the South Island, Pasifika staff at the University of Canterbury (UC), Ara…

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 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 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…

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…

One of the important parts of public health surveillance is to track flu (influenza) and similar respiratory conditions. School-based surveillance of flu or influenza-like illness (ILI) is critical as children…

Addiction practitioners in New Zealand work alongside those who are experiencing a range of addictions, as well as those who care for them, to assist in making recovery for clients…

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…

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…

Volunteering is central to the social development, economy, and environment of New Zealanders. Between 2004 and 2013, Statistics NZ data shows there was a 21% increase in the number of…

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…

About the non-profit institution satellite account Many hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders participate in non-profit institutions (NPIs) or receive services provided by them – often at no cost to…

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…

This report presents the findings of a Tertiary Education Union Te Hautū Kahurangi o Aotearoa (TEU) research project that sought to investigate “whitestreaming” in universities, and institutes of technology and…

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…

For Korean immigrants, settling in New Zealand is challenging and stress-inducing. There is growing concern that feelings of alienation and loss seem to be key features in their lives. Taking…

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…

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…

The Reading in Workplace Literacy Programmes Study was undertaken to investigate whether providing additional reading materials for interest or enjoyment would help increase the reading skills of participants in workplace…

This research is to evaluate the impact of rural skills development trainings for poverty alleviation in Bulilima district in Plumtre, Zimbabwe. The reason for this research was to find out…

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…

Written by Te Wāhanga kairangahau Alex Barnes, this working paper focuses on how Pākehā have become involved in Māori-determined and controlled educational research, and what issues inhibit and facilitate their…

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’.…

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…

This research report presents the details and findings of a research project commissioned by Adult and Community Education (ACE) Aotearoa, entitled Pasifika Success as Pasifika in Aotearoa New Zealand (PSAPiA).…

There are many pockets of work across institutions like Unitec where the community has approached particular people or programmes with a plea to deliver to a specific need. The Graduate…

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…

Although a small sample size of only 15 respondents, this Canterbury survey into the health sector workforce needs of non-profit organisations provides some of the only available information on the…

The research examined issues relating to migrant sex workers in New Zealand and their occupational safety and health. There were three parts to the research: key informant interviews, self administered…

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…

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…

While the value added by voluntary organisations is widely accepted by government and other funders, there has been increased pressure for the voluntary sector to measure the difference they make…

In 2007, the Community Sector Taskforce applied its base position set out in ‘A New Way of Working’ to the issue of Sector funding and accountability. This paper, with the…

Obtaining meaningful employment – adequately remunerated, fulfilling employment that is commensurate with a person’s skills and qualifications – is a high priority for people from refugee backgrounds, as it is…

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…

Giving and Volunteering statistics for the June quarter 2010

New quarterly data on giving and volunteering in New Zealand

Learning networks operate under a variety of names: communities of practice; e-learning networks; web-discussion fora, learning communities, thematic groups… Whatever name they go by, they tend to be groups of…

Volunteer managers/coordinators’ roles are of central importance to promoting and enhancing volunteerism, yet little is known about these workers: who they are, what they do, or how their effectiveness could…

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,…

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 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…

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…

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

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 paper examines the benefits that stem from generosity for givers, receivers and the community as a whole. This paper is the second of a series to stimulate discussion between…

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…

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…

A growing awareness of giving, volunteering and acts of kindness in all their forms offers many opportunities to promote greater generosity throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. The philanthropic and voluntary sectors,…

This paper builds a picture of what we know about how people currently give in New Zealand, identifies gaps in information and the challenges for the future of generosity. This…

This paper considers challenges to giving and opportunities for promoting generosity in New Zealand. It sets out proposals from the Generosity Hub for a strategic plan, objectives and initiatives. It…

Abstract only: Research conducted in 1998 in Tasmania indicated that a fourth sector of society distinct from Market, Government and community, was emerging. The comparative analysis between seven Tasmanian and…

This paper reports on one aspect of a survey of New Zealand volunteers undertaken in 2007 to develop a broad understanding of active volunteers’ expenses and organisational reimbursement patterns. In…

This paper asks the core questions: what is generosity, and what does it have to do with the way we live our lives or run our businesses? This paper is…

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…

Qualitataive research (depth interviews with 52 emergency services volunteers and other stakeholders) to identify how to lift training participation of emergency services volunteers, and the impact of training on service…

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…

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;…

Executive summary of the findings of Strategic Pay’s 2008 survey of remuneration and pay practices in the Not for Profit Sector

Literature review to identify barriers to training for volunteers in emergency services, and volunteers in general, and how to overcome those barriers

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…

On 1 November 2007 the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Revenue asked for submissions on ways to simplify the law on the taxation of reimbursement and honoraria paid…

Research into who gives time and money to different parts of the community and voluntary sector. It draws on market research data collected through the Panorama Survey, which is run…

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

Sustainable Management Practices in the Voluntary Sector

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…

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

This report investigates the fund-seeking experiences of community organisations in Waitakere.

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

The importance of volunteers manning social organisations and their contribution to the Common Good

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…

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.…

This report summarises findings from a participatory action research project that determined what support systems are currently available to refugee-background students at the Victoria University of Wellington, and how these…

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.

Considers the work of nine NGOs providing settlement support to refugees and migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand. It considers support of new comers at local level with access to information…

Progress on the development of research examining the impact of Unitec NZ’s Graduate Diploma in Not for Profit Management.

This presentation formed part of an international panel discussion on the state of not for profit management education across the world, at a conference in Arizona, United States in March…

This research uses organisational information from a stock-take of social service community organisations in Waitakere. It seeks to develop a snapshot of funding information.

Seeing the unseen activities that contribute to sustaining our communities is vital in determining how to live more sustainably. This initiative arose out of concern that the data available for…

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…

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

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…

Neo-liberalism, Ideas for a Community Based Workshop

During the last 20 years, citizens have been taught to behave as autonomous, self-interested, utility-maximising individuals, in a culture based on individual property rights where stealing of property is illegal.

My basic assertion is that Leadership in Volunteering, from my Pakeha (those of European ancestry) understanding, requires attention to the “Big Picture”. A dozen facets of the Big Picture are…

Nothing less than a re-definition of what we call ‘work’ will respond to the way in which our society is changing. Much of what people contribute to society is neither…

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,…

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…

One of the real challenges of educational work is how to get into peoples’ consciousness and not just remain talking to the converted. It is my analysis that experts must…

This article comments on the loss of government attention to adult and community education.

This paper explores the case for a move away from the current individual rights system of social relationships. The goal is to put in place a community ethics-based system which…

Employment, employees, employers, self-employed, unemployed, voluntary work

Based on observed giving, BERL estimated that New Zealanders gave between .24 billion and .46 billion during the 2005/2006 year. Our best estimate in this range suggests total philanthropic funding…