Whānau Ora Research

Creating case studies of successful pathways to building ownership was an important part of the Stable Spaces research. They model strategies and tactics that we can learn from and repeat.…

The Stable Spaces report is the first significant national survey on the state of independently owned physical arts infrastructure in Aotearoa. The report examines what makes successful asset ownership in…

The purpose of the Stable Spaces survey was to establish an overview of how the arts are housed in Aotearoa, and how their housing supports their activities. Going into 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Colleagues from the Kaipātiki Project and The University of Auckland partnered on a project to capture the experiences of stakeholders to help identify the people in the local community who…

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…

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…

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 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 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 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 community led development research supported locally based whanau and hapu to interact within their communities, to have dialogue and to draw out the richness of that dialogue, to share…

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…

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,…

SSPA has been working with some sector leaders on what a reset of the social services system could look like. We’ve prepared an agenda for change and are now ready…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Informed and engaged communities are central to a healthy democratic society, and local government has a critical role to play. Engaged communities have high levels of community knowledge, cultural vibrancy,…

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…

The purpose of the People’s Report is to provide a range of views about Aotearoa New Zealand’s progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These come…

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…

Environment conservation is one of the primary concerns of most countries in the modern world because of the continuous increase in environmental degradation and the resulting pollution. Environmental pollution has…

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…

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…

Planning for climate change is complex. There is some uncertainty about how quickly the climate will change and what the anticipated localised effects will be. There are also governance questions,…

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 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…

New Zealand’s road transport produces more than 40% of total CO2 emissions. To meet the Paris Climate Agreement will require a transport system based on zero-carbon energy resources. Many transport…

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 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…

This report summarises the key findings of an evidence review completed by the Centre for Social Impact to inform the implementation of Foundation North’s 2018 Strategic Plan. These key findings…

Foundation North’s new strategy has identified strengthening social cohesion within and between our diverse communities, particularly for refugee- and migrant-background communities, as one of its priorities. This research report was…

This report is an impact evaluation of the EcoMatters’ New Lynn bike hub. The report aims to better understand the extent of progress made in the one year of operation…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Electric cars are the future of transportation without pollutions. Electric cars industry start to grow fast, but this cars facing some problems like, low speed and the car take long…

The second Snapshot Survey conducted by ComVoices shows that the stresses on our community organisations are increasing. A survey of over 280 community organisations shows that they are experiencing greater…

The survey, of over 280 community organisations, shows that stresses on our community organisations are increasing. They are experiencing greater demand for services and are dealing with greater complexity, but…

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,…

The growing diversity of New Zealand brings into sharp focus the need to address diversity as a way of increasing participation and inclusivity in football. This report discusses key considerations…

Ngā Rerenga o Te Tiriti responds to the aspiration of groups and organisations within the community sector to be more engaged with the Treaty of Waitangi. It brings together many…

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…

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…

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…

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…

This study examines the financial sustainability challenges and opportunities faced by local NGOs, particularly of those registered as Ethiopian Resident Charities by the law. These NGOs constitute nearly 70% of…

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…

Population growth has already ended in a number of countries around the world. Significant demographic trends are transforming the global population, with record low fertility across the globe, increasing longevity…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Abstract The original intention for the Partnership Community Worker (PCW) project in 2006 was for it to be an extension of the Pegasus Health General Practice and furthermore to be…

Ethnic precincts are a relatively new addition to Auckland’s retail landscape and there has to date been little research devoted to better understanding their function and role. Increased knowledge about…

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…

The action research process that informed the report was initially made possible through CatholicCare Bushfire Community Recovery Service, with the support and involvement of service Manager, Janet Cribbes. The study…

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…

Drawing on Canterbury and Victoria experience, his report discusses and gives examples of the role of the non-profit sector in disaster risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery. While many see…

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…

‘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…

Post-quake Christchurch has seen a flourishing of alternative economic activities that work to directly support the wellbeing of residents, often through the volunteer and community sector. This project seeks to…

This paper draws on recent research which was grounded in theory-building with civil society practitioners in two Aotearoa NZ leadership learning contexts (Malcolm, 2014) to draw out their tacit wisdom…

The “leader” word often brings to mind strong, decisive, visionary individuals. Yet this assumption stops many from ever thinking of themselves as leaders. This PhD thesis explores an understanding of…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

This research explores the principles and practices relating to community economic development (CED), and social enterprise in New Zealand at this time. Success factors and challenges are identified, including an…

Increasing complexities brought about by global crises are calling for us to actively disrupt and challenge the conceptual frameworks currently dominating cultural policy and theory. Creative ecology offers a new…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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 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…

When the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, at 12.51pm on 22nd February 2011, the psychological and physical landscape was irrevocably changed. In the days and weeks…

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…

Mental Health Care in many countries is multiply-fragmented. Amongst the players are a variety of professional groups, many different community organizations for service-users and caregivers, as well as commercial enterprises…

This report summarises the Masters thesis of the same title (also found in this directory). I briefly discuss methodology and background to the case study of Project Lyttelton before explaining…

Based on his keynote speech given to the New Zealand Creativity Challenge held in New Plymouth 27-28 April 2013, this paper explores role of creativity, community and citizenship. The paper…

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…

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)…

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…

This compilation of case studies, examples and commentaries forms the third part of a set of materials relating to ethics in community-based participatory research (CBPR). Part I comprises a set…

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…

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…

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.…

Evaluations results of the Lyttelton Harbour Festival of Lights from the perspective of the advisory group, key stakeholders and the general public.

An evaluation of the Lyttelton Farmers Market from the perspective of regular customers, new customers and stall holders.

An evaluation report exploring the the short and longer term outcomes of the festival from the perspective of the guides and participants.

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…

An evaluation report looking at the key success stories and challenges faced by Project Lyttelton running the garden. Assessing the lessons learned and what can be applied to other projects…

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…

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…

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…

A community developer’s personal account of efforts by a rural community to confront local issues by developing a long-term social development strategy. The author describes attempts by a group of…

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 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…

This paper discusses mindsets, competencies and attitudes of community leadership. Metaphors such as playing jazz are used to normalise the complexity of community sector work and starfish to emphasise the…

This paper looks at the role of NGOs in contributing to government goals and objectives in the health and disability sector, and the future challenges facing that sector.

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…

This PhD research explored the issues confronting non-profit community organisations delivering services to the community in the areas of health and social services in Northland. Its aim was to identify…

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…

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…

Raetihi & Ohakune are two small & remote towns on the North Island’s Central Plateau. They have similar sized populations yet present as totally different communities. This research details the…

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…

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 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…

This article was written to support a presentation to the World Conference in Disaster Management 2009 (Toronto, Canada). In it there is presented a method to rediscover the forgotten tool…

Feasibility study prepared for a Lotteries Commission Community Facilities Application. This study includes a review of local facilities and the results of a survey in the Northland/Otari suburbs of Wellington.

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…

In 2001 the government signed a Statement of Intent for an improved relationship with the community and voluntary sector (SOGI). In 2008/09 the Association of Non Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa…

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…

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 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…

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

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,…

This report reviews practices of community engagement, capacity building and partnering in 6 community-based integrated catchment management (ICM) projects, with a focus on what is working well, challenges and lessons…

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)…

Information, knowledge and wisdom for the learning NGO, capacity building & roles.

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

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of existing literature in the area of community sector capacity building. The review will attempt to summarise the key themes…

Social entrepreneurs and enterprises in New Zealand have failed to gain the acknowledgement and support to create an enabling environment. This contrasts with countries such as the UK, Ireland, Canada,…

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 paper examines the economic and social tasks involved in community economic development in urban and rural areas. It considers the role social enterprises (community owned businesses or trading arms…

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…

Social marketing, community-based social marketing, social capital, recycling behaviour, community development, Waiheke Island, environmental not-for-profit organisations

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…

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 explores community-based cultural organisations that combine orientated objectives of community arts practice with commercially oriented creative industries. In New Zealand, these organisations are hampered by gaps in cultural…

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…

This case study reviews a series of events using a deliberation approach that have taken place in Porirua City. The nature of these activities is considered in relation to how…

Neo-liberalism, Ideas for a Community Based Workshop

Policy-making requires more than market mechanisms for implementation. That recognition should also be made with great caution, because the Government’s attempt over the last 20 years to incorporate as many…