Community Research: Connecting and Exploring Community Expressions of Knowledge.
Community Research are hosting a series of three researcher/evaluator events in 2020:
-
Ōtautahi/Christchurch
- Thurs 29th October 2020 4-6pm
- We invite all local community researchers to this event.
- Venue: Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo St, Cashmere, Christchurch
- Guest Speakers: Sharon Torstonson, non-profit champion, National Science Deep South Challenge and author of Holding Hope Together; Liz Hawes, Kaituiora for the Social Equity and Wellbeing Network (SEWN) – see below for bio’s.
- (Community Research AGM is 2:30-3:15pm – All are welcome and we will be running this online also.)
-
Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
- Mon 2nd November 4.30 – 7pm
- Pasifika Community Researcher and Evaluator event
- Venue: MIT Pasifika Community Centre, 53 Otara Road, Otara, Auckland
- Guest Speaker: Aiono Manu Fa’aea, Senior Pasifika Manager, Manukau Institute of Technology Pasifika Development Office – see below for bio.
-
Whanganui A Tara/Wellington
- Thurs 12th November 12-3pm
- Pasifika Community Researcher and Evaluator event
- Venue: ACE Aotearoa, 192 Tinakori Road, Thorndon
- Guest Speaker: Ronji Tanielu, Social Policy Analyst, Salvation Army – see below for bio.
Please Save the Date for your local event and email jenny.moore@communityresearch.org.nz to RSVP and be updated on the events.
About the Community Research Network programme
Event format
Presentation: We will have a guest speaker presenting at each event to highlight challenges and opportunities for the sector. See below for details of each of our guest speakers.
Whanaungatanga: the ability to meet and collaborate with other local researchers and evaluators to share professional skills and relationships and to offer assistance to others. There is also the opportunity for attendees to share their individual and collective work, past and present.
Strategic Opportunity: Community Research are keen to hear about how we can better support the capability and capacity of the Māori and Pasifika community research sector. Pasifika events will Talanoa and strategise for succession and shared values with application across the sector and with those who commission research and evaluation.
Questions to consider:
- What are your thoughts on establishing a Pasifika evaluation and research association, to support the networking and influence of Pasifika researchers and evaluators across Aotearoa/Moana Nui a Kiwa?
- How can we support emerging evaluators/researchers with qualifications and training?
Background
Community Research Strategic Planning in 2020 identified a number of strategic priorities to connect with and support community researchers and community organisations. The vision of Community Research was affirmed to be Connecting and Exploring Community Expressions of Knowledge.
Purpose
- Improve the accessibility and visibility of community research
- Grow the capability and capacity of the sector especially Māori and Pasifika
- Validate, support, connect and grow Pasifika and Māori research/evaluation communities
- Establish and maintain regional networks and relationships to connect and support community research activities
- Grow and support the Community Research community
- Identify kaiarahi to improve the research uploads and dissemination of community research and evaluation through Community Research communications and social media channels and networks
Locations
The three locations for these events in 2020 were chosen to:
- Connect the kaitaiki leadership and networks in the proposed locations.
- Validate, support, connect and grow Pasifika research/evaluation communities (in Wellington and Auckland), in conjunction with the capability and capacity objectives discussed at the Community Research strategic planning.
- Leverage Community Research capability and connections with board and staff (in Ōtautahi).
These events are supported by the Community Research kaitiaki/board and the Wellington and Auckland events will be hosted by two of our board members Caroline (Ligi) Harris and Analiese Robertson.
About the Guest Speakers
Liz Hawes
Liz Hawes is the Kaituiora for the Social Equity and Wellbeing Network (SEWN) in Christchurch. She has a strong community background, having worked in the sector for 35 years, with experience across a range of different organisations.
Sharon Torstonson
Sharon Torstonson has been immersed in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, working in civic & social organizations. Sharon made a huge contribution in the non-profit sector to community preparation for and response to emergencies and disasters and pulled together the original radio series and book – Holding Hope Together. BA (Hons) focused in Sociology, Education from University of Canterbury. MNZM for services to the community. She is currently providing a non-profit sector perspective in the National Science Deep South Challenge.
Aiono Manu Fa’aea
Aiono Manu Fa’aea is a practising ethnomusicologist and educator. “Aiono” is a chief title bestowed on her by her father’s family from the village of Fasito’o-uta in Upolu, Samoa.
From February 2005 to November 2012, she was involved in creating submissions and providing consultation feedback for various policy documents such as the Pasifika Education Plan for the Ministry of Education, the Pacific Languages Framework for the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and the Pasifika Strategy for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, strategic plan for ACE Aotearoa.
In 2019, she was part of the Ministry of Education Gifted Advisory Panel giving advice re: resource packages. In 2020, she was appointed as a member on the Pathways NCEA panel as part of the NCEA Review. She works with educators to support them in their work in raising student achievement, by realising student potential. She is also passionate about connecting, collaborating and championing Pacific peoples in education and in the workplace.
Ronji Tanielu
Ronji Tanielu, is of Samoan/Tokelauan heritage and currently works as a Lawyer and Principal Policy Advisor for the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of The Salvation Army, working in advocacy and policy around justice reform, addictions services, welfare reform, housing, youth, and children. Ronji’s job is to be as positively disruptive and troublesome as possible to politicians, policy officials and other key decision makers. Ronji would never call himself a researcher or academic but he uses these tools in various justice advocacy projects. These projects include Ronji writing/co-writing: ‘The State of the Nation report’, ‘Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboards’, ‘State of Our Communities Report’ and ‘The housing crisis facing Pasifika people in Aotearoa’ among others.