Shaping better systems for better outcomes – Powerdigm April 2025
| Kia ora koutou,Promoting and supporting community-led approaches is one of our core values, so when I came across a short piece I wrote for Inspiring Communities a decade ago on the benefits of taking a community-led approach to economic and social policy, I was pleased to see it has aged well! |
| “Putting the community at the centre of the change process can improve the return on investment because it is more effective, efficient and enduring, and it achieves a wider range of benefits than traditional policy approaches alone.”These basic points are still relevant for the current social return on investment policy, and are embedded in our Powerdigm project on demonstrating social impact. Donna Provoost, Director |
Ngāhuru – Autumn has arrived! Child Rich Communities pānui
Ngāhuru – Autumn has arrived! To all of our whānau around the motu affected by the weather, kia kaha – we are thinking of you.
This pānui, our second of 2025, highlights the start of the Learning Cluster engagement with four incredible community groups around the motu who are each intentionally engaging with mokopuna and whānau to reshape the narrative and response around child and whānau-led empowerment and decision-making.
We also have the first of our online kōrero for this year, where we reconnect with one of our original Bright Spots from 2014. Read on to find out more!
Strengthening Your CLD Practice – March 2025
Community-led development (CLD) is a journey of learning, connecting, and taking action and we’ve got some great opportunities coming up to support your mahi!
If you’re just starting out, explore our self-paced CLD 101 online module or join our interactive Getting Started in CLD workshop this May. We’re also offering a free Community Building Block focused on making local government work better for your community, a great opportunity to dive into practical tools for local change. And if you missed the Hapori Aotearoa – Growing Communities Together conference, highlights, resources, and photo gallery are now live. Plenty to inspire your next steps!
Read on to find out more!
He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kati te kahikatea – Feb 2025
He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kati te kahikatea, small actions can lead to big change. Even with limited resources, we can achieve great things in our communities! Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding, gain formal recognition for your experience, or connect with others on the same journey, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your CLD practice.
This is your last chance to register for Hapori Aotearoa – Growing Communities Together, happening next week in Tauranga! If you’re thinking about upskilling, our CLD Micro-credential is a great way to gain formal recognition for your mahi, catch up on our info session video below. Plus, don’t miss our upcoming Te Tauihu workshop on CLD and Collective Impact, designed to strengthen belonging and inclusion across the region. And if you’re just starting out, our CLD 101 workshop is the perfect introduction to community-led development, packed with practical tools and insights.
Read on to find out more!
Kia ora e te whānau, and welcome to 2025!
Community-led development (CLD) is all about strengthening the hauora (wellbeing) of communities across Aotearoa. This year, we’re making it easier to learn, connect and grow in CLD, supporting communities and practitioners to build skills, deepen knowledge, and create lasting change.
Wherever you are on your CLD journey, we’ve got you covered! Join the kōrero at our Hapori Aotearoa Conference in March, gain a Micro-credential in CLD Facilitation or explore a training package designed to fit your team’s needs. We also run a range of workshops throughout the year and have a kete of resources on our website to support you at every stage.
Let’s make 2025 a year of collaboration, connection, and impact!
Child Rich Communities – Dec 2024
Kia ora e te whānau,
As the calendar year draws to a close and summer begins, we hope you can find moments of ease and reflection in the warmth of these long days. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas with whānau or taking some time for yourself, it’s a chance to recharge and focus on what helps us and our communities thrive.
This year, Child Rich Communities has been on a journey of connection and learning. We’ve explored topics like supporting Mauri ora in rangatahi, systems change in the early years, and empowering our young people to lead. Behind the scenes, alongside our partners, Plunket, Wesley Community Action, Presbyterian Support Northern, Anglican Care Waiapu,Christchurch Methodist Mission and Inspiring Communities, we’ve been planning a Learning Cluster engagement with four sites across Aotearoa… read on for more information!
Wherever you are this summer, let’s carry the strength of our kōtahitanga and the gift it brings for our tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.
Meri Kirihimete!
Powerdigm – A Year of Progress and Exciting Plans Ahead – Dec 2024
Kia ora koutou,
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the journey Powerdigm has been on and share a glimpse of what lies ahead. Since stepping into the role of Director in July, I’ve been inspired by the mahi happening across the community and social sectors, and by the collective drive to create meaningful change.
At Powerdigm, we’ve been refining our focus areas to better support you in navigating challenges and amplifying your impact. We’re prioritising projects that align with our commitment to community-led innovation and systems thinking, equipping organisations to share their social impact stories, supporting collaboration through bespoke workshops, and exploring new ways to embed equity and inclusion.
I’m also delighted to introduce our six wonderful Associates, whose expertise spans central and local government, Iwi and Māori organisations, national NGOs, and local community groups. Their collective knowledge and experience are perfectly placed to help you achieve your goals.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration this year. Wishing you all a restful holiday season and a great start to 2025!
Promoting community-led development (CLD) in Aotearoa – Dec 2024
Kia ora e te whānau,
As 2024 comes to an end, we’re reflecting on the progress and partnerships that have shaped our mahi this year. It’s been a year of growth, action, and connection, and we’re excited to carry this energy into 2025.
Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for the Hapori Aotearoa – Growing Communities Together conference in March, delivering our free online CLD skills sessions and kōrero, and a mix of scheduled and bespoke training opportunities. We’ll also continue to deepen our commitment to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all we do, while strengthening our learning pathways to support CLD approaches.
As we wrap up the year, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been part of this journey with us. Ngā mihi o te wā me te aroha nui, Meri Kirihimete me te Tau Hou harikoa ki a koutou katoa. Stay safe, enjoy the festive season, and we can’t wait to reconnect in 2025!
Growing communities together – Nov 2024
Kia ora e te whānau,
We’re gearing up for the national community development conference, Hapori Aotearoa – Growing Communities Together, this March, and have some exciting updates to share!
With the government adopting a social investment approach to inform its investment in social services, new conversations are emerging around measuring social impact in Aotearoa, a topic we explored in the recent IPANZ seminar we co-presented.
Check out our upcoming community-led development opportunities, designed to inspire, connect, and support your learning alongside others across the motu.
Read on to find out more!
Child Rich Communities – Oct 2024
Kia ora e te whānau,
This month, our pānui focuses on systems-change initiatives both in Aotearoa and overseas, highlighting the work that has been done and the impact it has had. Looking to the horizon and distant shores can be a powerful way to learn from others who have journeyed ahead of us, helping us navigate our own mahi.
Child and youth wellbeing systems-change efforts, both locally and globally, share similarities. Yet, each community and country engages with these systems in unique ways. If we strive to do the very best for our mokopuna here in Aotearoa, it is crucial that we deliver wellbeing mechanisms that are place-based and responsive to local needs. Uplifting the mana of our mokopuna requires layered change and engagement. It is essential that we include all aspects of a child, youth, or whānau’s life, and that this is led by the voices of whānau and mokopuna.
Read on to access international resources and register for October’s online kōrero and national community development conference.