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Te Pūaha o te Ako

Te Pūaha o te Ako is our knowledge and practice hub, our platform for sharing what we are seeing and learning as we support funders, community organisations and changemakers on their social impact journey. Through Te Pūaha o te Ako we aim to support effective social change with information and engagement to build effective and impactful practice. You can use the search filters below to identify all the content we have on a topic such as evaluation or housing, or specific types of resources, such as toolkits or reports.

Te Pūaha o te Ako is our knowledge and practice hub, our platform for sharing what we are seeing and learning as we support funders, community organisations and changemakers on their social impact journey. Through Te Pūaha o te Ako we aim to support effective social change with information and engagement to build effective and impactful practice. You can use the search filters below to identify all the content we have on a topic such as evaluation or housing, or specific types of resources, such as toolkits or reports.

Te Pūaha Talks - upcoming events

Te Pūaha Talks, our free online capability building webinars for not-for-profits is back for 2023.

Te Pūaha Talks - Climate action - your sphere of influence

The workshop was designed to give us some pathways to move from anxiety to action as individuals, in our organisations, and in our communities.

Te Pūaha Talks - Ngahere for teams

Ngahere for Teams is a programme of four online workshops designed to support teams to build skills and practices for restorative systems change work.

What’s in the Te Pūaha kete?

New to Te Pūaha? This is an introduction to some of our latest resources – and most popular research and reports.

Te Pūaha Talks - Ngahere - nurturing our connectivity

The Ngahere workshop provided resources designed to encourage you as an individual to take six one minute pauses throughout each day to ground yourself and draw nourishment from Papatūānuku.

Te Pūaha Talks - communications in the good times & the bad

Communications in the Good Times & the Bad was the final in our series of Te Pūaha Talks for 2022.

Te Pūaha Talks – climate action

A recording of our latest Te Pūaha Talk, Funders and Climate Action in Aotearoa, is now available.

Te Pūaha Talks – an introduction to evaluation

Evaluation is an essential social impact tool. We all want to make a positive difference through our work but can struggle to understand and demonstrate that difference clearly.

Te Pūaha Talks – our 2022 capability building programme

Te Pūaha Talks, our 2022 programme of free online capability building webinars, offers a range of learning opportunities for not-for-profits.

Te Pūaha Talks - hauora wānanga for Matariki

Te Pūaha Talks series of online Unu Ora wānanga on hauora, leading in to Matariki.

Social media for social impact

Social Media for Social Impact is a workshop designed for community organisation staff and volunteers responsible for social media posting and management.

Building community governance capability and capacity

Improving the quality of community governance is a priority for the Centre for Social Impact. Since 2019, CSI has collaborated on research to identify issues and opportunities in community governance, and the development of a national strategy and action plan to build community governance capability and capacity.

Working with the news media

An overview of the current New Zealand media landscape, and tips on ways to create and successfully pitch your social impact or community hero good news story to the media.

Think and act digital

A big picture view of what digital technology is, and an overview of trends and insights across New Zealand.

Grant writing: Kick-a** content – developing winning proposals

An outline of some approaches to help strengthen funding submissions and secure more resources.

Creating content that counts in a changing world

A refresher on communicating your purpose and impact to current and potential supporters.

Community Trusts Professional Development Programme

This programme was developed by CSI in collaboration with eleven community trusts. It responds to trustees’ commitment to strengthen the governance capability of the sector. The programme combines workshops with knowledge and practice sessions to enable trustees to share ideas and practices from their governance journeys as they develop their governance skills.

Community Trusts Governance – the trustee experience

Bridget Tweed, Mike Paki & Naisi Chen share their insights from the Community Trusts Professional Development Programme

Connecting to Strengthen Community Sector Governance – A collaboration with Rātā Foundation on capacity, capability and practice

A conversation with representatives from twenty-five organisations from across the motu.

Insight - Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships

Our latest insights paper introduces our second report on the philanthropic landscape, Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II

Stories of Shifting Culture and Power – Funder Journeys

Why ORA: Long-term partnerships to realise intergenerational change

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Tapuwae Roa: An Indigenous, intergenerational lens to investing in impact

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Eastern and Central Community Trust (ECCT): Sharing Power with Young People through TiraRangatahi

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Wayne Francis Charitable Trust and Leadership Lab: An ecosystem approach and ‘showing up differently’

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

J R McKenzie Trust: Intersectionality and building capacity for systems change

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Toi Foundation: A commitment to rangatiratanga and growing reciprocal and enduring partnerships with iwi

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Dusseldorp Forum: Deep, long-term relationships that support community-led systems change agendas

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Fay Fuller Foundation: Co-designing structures for community-led decision-making

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Foundation North: Centering Indigenous concepts and building cultural capability

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Peter McKenzie Project: Evolving a participatory approach

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Trust Waikato: Prioritising community self-determination

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

First Nations Philanthropic Funders Working Group: First Nations-led philanthropy

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Wesley Community Action: Ground-up innovation enabled through trusted philanthropic partnership

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust: Long-term partnerships to realise intergenerational change

Case study from The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships.

Insights: Funding community innovation

Research and analysis for social impact provide insights for the funders, community organisations and changemakers we work with. Read about funding community innovation for intergenerational impact; food sovereignty and equitable food systems; and funding advocacy for impact.

Insights: Food sovereignty and equitable food systems

Research and analysis for social impact provide insights for the funders, community organisations and changemakers we work with. Read about funding community innovation for intergenerational impact; food sovereignty and equitable food systems; and funding advocacy for impact.

Insights: Funding advocacy for impact

Research and analysis for social impact provide insights for the funders, community organisations and changemakers we work with. Read about funding community innovation for intergenerational impact; food sovereignty and equitable food systems; and funding advocacy for impact.

Insights: Mapping the philanthropic landscape

Our Centre for Social Impact insights papers provide a brief overview of the reports on research and analysis we undertake with our clients and partners.

Ngā Tau Tuangahuru and the Māori and Pacific Education Initiative

In 2006, trustees from Foundation North set aside $20 million for an educational intervention to lift Māori and Pacific educational outcomes.

Embedding evaluation in your mahi – The Southern Initiative’s Niho Taniwha Framework

Embedding evaluative practice was the focus of the final free online Kia Whiti Tonu workshop, funded by Foundation North, for 2021.

Participatory grantmaking with young Pacific leaders

When Foundation North set out to shift the power in the funding relationship and put young people in the driving seat, the Pacific Future Makers Fund was born.

Reflections - Wellington's 2020 experience

Roger Palairet and Linn Araboglos of the Wellington Community Trust reflect on the challenges of 2020

More than giving - eight years contribution at Eastern and Central

Shelly Mitchell-Jenkins has been a trustee of the Eastern and Central Community Trust for eight years (including some time as the Chair). We asked Shelly to share her reflections on her time as a trustee and the changes she has observed.

Frameworks for understanding and demonstrating social impact

CSI Associate Rachael Trotman on how to ‘know and show’ the difference your organisation makes.

Overview of Impact Investing in Aotearoa

The Centre for Social Impact and Steven Moe have teamed up to produce an update on Impact Investment in Aotearoa.

COVID-19 and our natural environment

Reconnecting Northland’s Eamon Nathan on lockdowns and our connection with the natural world.

Harnessing our collective energies for what happens next… read National Survey results

The COVID-19 lockdown in March has ignited our imaginations and opened up our potential. There is a huge appetite to harness what was activated during lockdown. Those are sentiments that came out of the recently released national COVID-19 impact survey of the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector.

Diving into the waters of systems change at Sport New Zealand

There’s nothing like calling in a critical friend to illuminate what is implicit and invisible in the waters that you’re swimming in. That’s what recently happened between Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa and (CSI).

Survey highlights impact of COVID-19 on the community and voluntary sector

National COVID-19 impact survey reveals the impact on the community sector.

COVID-19 and the social impact sector... hear from thought leaders

The Centre for Social Impact is drawing on the experience of its network and community to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the philanthropic sector, the long-term implications of this event, and to identify possible social impact responses.

Thriving Rangatahi: A review of protective and risk factors

A report for Vodafone Foundation into what helps young people shape lives they value...

Voice, Influence, Action: funding advocacy for impact - A new report for the JR McKenzie Trust

A review of the potential of advocacy to expose and respond to social issues.

Financing the Future

Our CEO Dr Alison Taylor, was a contributor to Financing the Future, a project about impact investment in New Zealand.

On the Cusp: New Zealand and better-faster-fairer solutions to complex social, economic and environmental issues

On the Cusp: Re-designing complex communities and institutions to flourish is the latest report from Mary Jo (MJ) Kaplan of Kaplan Consulting.

Understanding the youth development ecosystem and opportunities to strengthen youth wellbeing

The Centre is part of a team drawn together by the Ministry of Youth Development to review the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA). To inform this collaborative work, we recently completed a comprehensive evidence review of the current youth development ‘ecosystem’, effective practice, and opportunities to strengthen the YDSA.

Social Impact Series - Part 1: Fit for purpose strategy - using evidence to inform practice

Our Social Impact hui provide space for conversations about strategies and practices for funders looking to strengthen social impact.

The Power Of Four: Lessons from the VOYCE collaboration

This report by the Centre for Social Impact associate, Rachael Trotman, presents the story of and lessons learned from a collaboration between four philanthropic funders that led to the establishment of VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai. VOYCE is an independent charitable trust for children and young people in foster care.

Investing in Journeys of Change

Since 2006, Foundation North have been investing in journeys of change. We’ve worked with them to produce an overview of the development of their venture philanthropy. The Foundation’s focus was to provide support to initiatives addressing major social issues for Auckland and Northland.

Insights into corporate and philanthropic investment

The 2016 learning event presentations from Antony Welton, Chair of the Vodafone NZ Foundation, and Jennifer Gill, CEO of Foundation North.

First 1000 days research for BayTrust

A major research project by the Centre for Social Impact into how best to support Bay of Plenty children in the first 1000 days of their lives, and how to engage youth in the region, has identified significant opportunities for BayTrust to invest strategically for the region’s future success.

Haumanu - restorative systems change

This time of global disruption has focused many of us on the urgent need for systems change to create a future in which people and the planet can thrive.

An innovative approach to strategy

This session provides senior leaders wanting to rejuvenate their organisations with an innovative approach to strategy.

Strategy in a fast-changing world, learning from COVID

A review of the strategic issues and implications that have come up for the community sector through COVID-19.

Innovating a new world

A discussion on what type of innovation we need today to create an interconnected future where all can thrive. Includes practical tools and resources for this way of innovating.

COVID-19 and social impact... hear from thought leaders

The COVID-19 crisis will have a major impact on the wellbeing of New Zealand’s communities over the next few years. It will also affect how we think about our organisations and our services. We asked some of the key influencers in our sector to give us a brief insight into what they have seen and learnt since the crisis started, the challenges they’re seeing ahead, and what the potential solutions to those challenges might be.

Chairing Community Trusts

Vicky McLennan was appointed as a trustee of Trust Waikato in June 2017, and in 2018 was appointed to the role of Deputy Chair. Vicky provided us with this review of the Chairing Community Trusts workshop.

The Housing Landscape in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)

Advocacy and Systems Change - presentations and report

This event, co-convened with JR McKenzie Trust and Philanthropy NZ, explored advocacy to drive change.

Mapping the philanthropic landscape - A review of trends and contemporary practices

Insights to support the JR McKenzie Trust to harvest emerging ideas and practices relevant to New Zealand’s bi-cultural context.

Global trends in social enterprise, social impact and their relevance for New Zealand

This presentation by MJ Kaplan considers global trends in social enterprise, social impact and their relevance for New Zealand.

Evidence to inform a half billion dollar strategy for investment

A solid evidence base supported the development of Foundation North’s 2018 Strategic Plan.

Research to inform Foundation North strategies

The development of Foundation North’s fifteen year strategies has been informed by a solid research base. The Centre for Social Impact helped create this foundation of information and evidence for strategies which will guide the grantmaking of New Zealand’s largest philanthropic grantmaker through to 2033.

Kōtuitui interweaving conversations: Social Enterprise in New Zealand

'Kōtuitui - interweaving conversations' is the idea of Foundation North and its social business, the Centre for Social Impact. The short, after-work events, focused around a theme, will provide a platform for attendees to meet and learn from thought-leaders in the sector, such as the speaker at the inaugural Kōtuitui on social enterprise (21 Sept), Mary Jo 'MJ' Kaplan.

The rangatahi challenge – the philanthropic response

Changing expectations and outcomes for rangatahi was the focus of our annual learning event this year. For insight and inspiration, the presentations from Dr Terryann Clark, Dr Hana O’Regan, Lani Evans, and Maria Ramsay are now online.

Tui Ah Loo and the Te Ira vision

A video of Tui’s presentation at our 2016 learning event.

Tātou Tātou - wellbeing for the community sector

Hauora inspiration in this series of podcast interviews with community leaders on how they nurture their wellbeing.

Unu Ora - a personal wellbeing resource from Tuihana Ohia

Unu Ora is a series of brief meditations on health and wellbeing created by our associate and Kia Whiti Tonu wellbeing presenter, Tuihana Ohia.

Kua haehae ngā hihi o Matariki (The rays of Matariki are spread)

Take time to reset, look to your goals for the time ahead.

Collaboration - A Journey of Mastery

This workshop provides tools and skills to help those leading or participating in collaborations to make their collaborations successful.

Governance - What is keeping you awake at night?

Board members discuss governance issues and learn from the experience of their peers.

The Whare of Hauora

This workshop shows how to create a practical resource, a Whare of Hauora, Home of Wellbeing, with intention around the pou (pillars): Taha Tinana (physical health), Taha Wairua (the spiritual dimension), Taha Whānau (the family), Taha Hinengaro (the mind), and Whenua (land & environment).

The Ora of Self

Wellbeing session focused on self-awareness and self-care.

Thinking about leadership in a time of crisis

Leadership is at its most visible in times of crisis. As New Zealand confronts the challenges of COVID-19, we revisit two reflections on leadership by CSI associates.

Governance with a philanthropic lens - the workshop experience

Feedback from participants on their workshop experience has been affirming of the value of a governance development programme with a specific focus on philanthropy.

Creating an Inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand: Sector Hui Report

The terrorist attacks in Christchurch raised concerns about racism and discrimination in our communities. Belong Aotearoa, with support from Foundation North and the Centre for Social Impact, convened a hui to bring together the leaders, groups and organisations working in our communities.

Kōtuitui – Healing intergenerational trauma; a conversation on the multigenerational legacies of war, colonisation and famine

The first of our 2019 Kōtuitui (interweaving conversations) focused on emerging research on the multigenerational legacies of traumas such as war, colonisation and famine – and the possibilities for healing.

An Aotearoa agenda for wellbeing

At the Wellbeing and Public Policy conference last week, we saw a shared agenda for wellbeing for Aotearoa start to emerge.

Leadership with Lani Evans

Our latest leadership interview with Lani Evans, Manager of the Vodafone Foundation, and a board member of Philanthropy New Zealand.

Leadership with Akaya Windwood

The latest in our series of interviews on leadership features Akaya Windwood of the USA’s Rockwood Leadership Institute.

The Leadership Experience

What is your leadership experience? We’ve been asking some of the people we work with about their development as leaders.

Helping philanthropic funders to understand impact

Wanting to share the findings from this helpful enquiry into impact with other fellow philanthropic funders, the Foundation asked CSI to draw on our research to publish three short reports for the sector.

Adverse weather events: Funding information and resources

A guide to flood relief and resources for our Auckland and Northland communities.

Government and Philanthropic COVID-19 Response

This latest report looks at Government and Philanthropic funding support through COVID-19 response.

Climate playbook: high impact roles for funders

This playbook outlines the landscape of potential actions for funders, to accelerate the move to a carbon neutral society, with a just transition and communities that are resilient in the face of climate change that is already ‘baked-in’.

Community trusts climate action commitment

In recognition of the important role community funders play in building better outcomes for the environment and communities of Aotearoa New Zealand, a group of community trusts have agreed a Funders Commitment on Climate Action.

Giving the planet a 'breath of time' - and what happens next

The Sustainable Business Network's CEO Rachel Brown reflects on the disruption of COVID-19.

COVID-19 resources and reading List

A small selection of the excellent resources we’ve seen being produced in response to COVID-19.

Increasing equity – the priority for philanthropy

We asked our network for their thoughts on the impacts of COVID-19 on the philanthropic sector and the long-term implications of this crisis. This blog captures some of their insights around the issue of increasing equity.

Evaluation of Foundation North’s pioneering Catalysts for Change funding programme

This report identifies significant outcomes and learnings from this pioneering funding programme.

Making a real difference – what can funders do to support youth, whānau and community wellbeing?

Our latest blog explores how funders can support child and youth wellbeing outcomes, as well as supporting innovation and initiatives that have potential for social impact and positive change.

Evaluation to support the social impact journey

Our latest blog, from CSI associate Rachael Trotman, looks at how evaluation supports social impact journeys.

Impact Investment to deliver social or environmental benefits

This two part report commissioned by Foundation North, from the Centre for Social Impact and Ākina Foundation, looks at how impact investment could help the foundation, other philanthropic funders, and investors achieve both financial returns, and measurable, beneficial social or environmental impacts.

As philanthropic funding grows in value and complexity, evaluation keeps pace

A brief explanation of how evaluation changes to support investment across the CSI grantmaking dial.

Dorothy Adams on social investment

A video of Dorothy’s presentation at our 2016 learning event.

A Strategic Review of Early Years Investment

The Centre for Social Impact has recently completed a review of effective ‘early years’ interventions based on national and international evidence.

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