Kia ora koutou,
Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.
December has arrived – a time for reflecting on the year that has passed, seemingly in the blink of an eye. It’s a time to think about what we’ve achieved, plan for what’s next to come, and remember those that have passed on.
It’s difficult to reflect on the year without acknowledging the many events and disruptions that have impacted the communities of Aotearoa in ways we’re not used to. We have been introduced to the realities of our changing climate, began adjusting to new phases of COVID 19, and are now deciding what the change of government will mean for our friends, whānau, and communities.
When reflecting on these challenges, one thing is clear, our communities are strong, resilient, and not slowing down any time soon. In the face of change we have seen the positive impact our communities continue to create and appreciate the collaboration and care it has taken to push forward with their mahi and adapt to new playing fields.
Within the CSI network, we have been privileged to see organisations large and small take great strides toward their unique visions of an equitable, healthy Aotearoa. Looking to the future, to 2024, I’m excited for what’s to come. For the seeds sown this year to continue being nurtured, for new ideas and kaupapa to emerge and flourish, and for our collective mahi to expand and grow into new spaces.
The learnings, connections, and inspiration gathered over 2023 are a taonga to cherish. Like a raindrop falling into a still pond, the ripples of these experiences will continue to spread and make waves into the new year.
In the December Dial, we introduce you to our new Associate, Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell, hear from Associate Aimee Kaio on her climate change work locally and internationally, and recap the offerings of the past year.
Wishing you all a safe and happy end-of-year.
Karinia Lee, Head of Centre | Kaihautu
Centre for Social Impact
The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II
Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.
In September, we released the second volume of The Philanthropic Landscape (TPL). This report, created in partnership with J R McKenzie Trust, explores the stories of ten funders from Australia and New Zealand that have incorporated key philanthropic practices identified in TPL volume I, and reflects on the learnings and insights these funders have gathered on this journey.
In the report, we hear from the funders about how they have worked to build impactful, mana-enhancing funding partnerships, and from some ngā kaikōkiri on their experiences of working in partnership with some of the funders featured. Each case study is unique and presents a fresh look at the various ways organisations have adopted the principles, and how the practices have organically evolved to meet the specific needs of the communities and kaupapa they engage with.
From the Eastern & Central Community Trust’s journey sharing power with young people, to the Dusseldorp Forum’s experiences of being guided by community leaders and First Nations Elders; the kaupapa of each case study ranges across communities and strategies, with each providing invaluable insights into how mana-enhancing partnerships have enabled them and their communities to grow and thrive.
Download the full report here.
Read a shorter insights summary here.
Te Pūaha Talks
The 2023 Te Pūaha Talks webinars were a diverse range of capacity and capability offerings covering climate action influence, new ways of finding collaborative solutions to local challenges, and the ways we can support ourselves to support others by nurturing our connections with the self and te taiao. All Te Pūaha Talks content and resources are available for you to access at any time, you can access these taonga by clicking the link below!
Future Search – helping people transform their capability for action
Future Search – helping people transform their capability for action, was our final Te Pūaha Talks offering for 2023. The webinar introduced this globally renowned process that brings together people who share an interest in a particular issue or challenge to collaborate to find solutions. CSI associate Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell, an established Future Search facilitator, presented this with Lisa McNab (Te Pātu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Kuri and involved in the Te Oneroa-a-Tohe community). This addressed the restoration of the mauri of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe (Ninety Mile Beach).
In the session, Miranda drew on her experience planning and facilitating successful Future Search events such as the Waiheke Marine Project and the Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Future Search co-facilitated with Lisa.
The webinar, and other Future Search resources, are available here.
Introducing Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
Descended from Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Apa, Te Aorangi is the managing director of Haemata – a Māori language, education, and capability-building consultancy working across both the public and private sectors.
Te Aorangi's focus in his work is the revitalisation of the Māori language and the development of the Māori economy. He has a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons), and he is a graduate of the Master of Māori Language Excellence programme, delivered by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
A Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, Te Aorangi is the youngest member of the Institute to go through the chartered pathway. He sits on the BayTrust and Squash Bay of Plenty boards and is a member of the BayTrust’s investment committee and an independent member of the New Zealand Hepatitis Foundation’s investment committee.
Nau mai, haere mai, Te Aorangi.
Western science and mātauranga Māori in climate action
In the last Dial, CSI Associate Aimee Kaio (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa, Ngā Puhi) was preparing for her upcoming presentation on Māori associations with Southern Oceans and Antarctica at the 2023 INSTANT Conference held in Italy.
We caught up with Aimee to discuss the conference, her work in the science, climate action, and regional development spaces, and her hopes for the future of climate action.
Learn more about our kōrero here.
Foundation North and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei sign Kōtuitanga
On the morning of December 4, Foundation North leaders joined Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Rangatira at Ōrākei Marae to further establish and bind their partnership through a formal signing of a Kōtuitanga and exchange of taonga.
An embodiment of the Foundation’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei commitment to enhancing the lives of the communities in Tāmaki, the Kōtuitanga (similar to a partnership agreement) will enable the existing relationship to flourish and grow, while also recording the shared aspirations and vision that weaves through the future actions to come out of this new chapter of co-investment into the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Read the full story here.
Looking to land a governance role?
Community Governance Board Talks start in 2024 with a webinar on Friday, February 23, for people interested in a governance career on how to land your first board role. The presenters are Simon Telfar (Appoint Better Boards) and Simon Wi Rutene (Treasury Appointments).
Register here.
Social Investment – back on the agenda
Prior to the General Election, the National Party signalled that social investment would be ‘the organising framework for the next National Government’s approach to the funding and delivery of social services’. The new Social Investment portfolio has been assigned to the Hon. Nicola Willis.
Social investment was a focus of the previous National Government, and in 2016, CSI hosted a presentation on social investment from Dorothy Adams who was leading the Government’s Social Investment Unit. While the shape of the current Government’s approach to social investment is yet to emerge, Dorothy’s presentation still acts as a useful introduction to social investment thinking.
Access the presentation here.