| Inspiring Communities

It’s little wonder that this small central North Island community has featured so positively in recent national media. The people there are working hard to build local community spirit, vibrancy and achievement.

Eden Terrace: A light touch – firm results Story

From the side-lines we watched a piece of unused council land in Central Auckland transform into a garden that would encourage pollinators like butterflies and bees. One woman with a… Read more

Training Story

In order to deepen the practice of community-led development we tailor training resources and packages. These include: Skills-focussed half day, full day and multiday workshops for resident leaders and practitioners,… Read more

The Backbone for CLD Story

As the backbone for community-led Development in Aotearoa New Zealand, we provide a number of pivotal services and products that help accelerate change and deepen knowledge. We are the reference point… Read more

October Newsletter – Leadership

Effective leadership is pivotal to successful community-led development (CLD) and in our experience it often pops up in the most unlikely places. In this issue we go deeper into the… Read more

Challenging our assumptions about leadership Story

By Margy-Jean Malcolm Enabling the leadership of everyone to grow and flourish is at the core of community-led development. Research with Inspiring Communities in 2011 helped us articulate some new… Read more

How a plan comes together Story

By Janine Boult, Kaiwaka Cares In a small community timing is everything. The same ideas may float to the surface again and again. What makes the difference is having a… Read more

Building Blocks to Better Education Story

By Janet Wilson – Principal of Marfell Community School Our school, Marfell Community School is located in a low soci- economic community in New Plymouth. Some of our families have… Read more

Inaugural Boost Camp a Huge Success! Story

“My biggest learning was looking for strengths in others, and how these can be knitted together so that everyone is free to grow.” – Boost Camp… Read more

Auckland Newsletter – October 2015

The people who have written articles in this newsletter are all doers, that is true, and they know that whatever they do, it will be more successful on so many levels… Read more

A Business Approach to Change Story

By Denise Bijoux and Grant Harnish, Focus Pahia Co-founder Real change is going on in Paihia which is visible in the local landscape as well as in the accolades… Read more

Inspiring Communities Newsletter June 2015

The Power of the Small Kia ora! Think Big – now there is term that conjures up a myriad of contrasts from the Muldoon era to Sex and the City…. Read more

Community Treasure Hunts Story

Our Amazing Place Community Treasure Hunts involve local residents of all ages following a trail through their community. They stop at a number of stations where a fun challenge, activity or… Read more

Auckland Inspiring Community News – May 2015

This month we feature stories on people who have stepped up and put themselves out there for the things they believe in. They do what needs to be done in… Read more

Berhampore School – creating an inclusive school & community Story

Being brave, working collaboratively and giving people opportunities to participate and contribute in many different ways has born amazing results for Berhampore School. Primary Principal Mark Potter shares key highlights… Read more

Inspring Communities Newsletter #46 – March 2015

In this issue, we share three diverse examples of creatively engaging communities to encourage and inspire local voice, participation and contribution.

Neighbourhoods Leading change with street BBQ’s Story

A small local fund has helped enable barbeques in the streets of Massey for several years and they have been a great way to get to know the neighbours and… Read more

Massey Matters Fund – small change enables progress Story

A core part of the Massey Matters initiative has been releasing new funding into the community to enable the community to lead action towards making Massey a better place to… Read more

Bees, sunflowers and Great Start’s Bright Spot campaign Story

In Taita, children have been growing community along with sunflowers. Having fun can be a great way of learning. Not only that but it can also be a really effective… Read more

Sharing the Love- Great Start’s project Sunshine Story

In 2010, Project Sunshine quickly found that growing sunflowers brought out the best in local people as much as it helped beautify parts of the community. Children became recognised as… Read more

Getting Started: Being of Service in Taita Story

Being of service in Taita Providing services can be quite different to being ‘of’ service. Great Start Taita has found that communities have a lot of skills as well as… Read more

Getting Started: Growing what Waitara wants Story

The Waitara story is one that comes from a hard place, yet their story is one of strength and resilience – especially once local people started working together. Already known… Read more

From Neighbourhood Barbeques to Street Redesign Story

In Waitara locals banded together over the barbie to support victims of burglary and those living in areas plagued by street racers. Learning from others working in community led development… Read more

Driving for Change Story

Often the response to those who flout road rules is to come down hard on them, however inWaitara, working with young drivers who were breaking the law proved to be… Read more

Community Capital beats Community Crime Story

Shop theft wasn’t known to local Waitara police as a big issue until the Waitara Community Development Project (WCDP) Advisor told them it was. In 2010, for example, only four… Read more

AmeriCARna: 400 classic cars Story

Who would have thought that a parade of classic American cars could kick-start community development? Coordinating The AmeriCARna festival is not the typical work of a Community Development Advisor. AmeriCARna… Read more

A sporting history and future Story

Waitara is a place of rich sporting history. In the last 120 years Waitara has had 80 sports people represent New Zealand in their codes. It also has had New… Read more

Working with volunteers to strengthen communities – Jocelyn’s story. Story

Jocelyn is a volunteer researcher for Ka Mau Te Wero in Glen Innes, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) and this work has helped Jocelyn build new connections to her community, new friends… Read more

Local opportunities reveal leadership potential – Chris’s story. Story

Chris Makoare has lived for 30 years in Glen Innes. He’s been active in a parent and youth network and was trained as a community facilitator for the Tamaki Transformation… Read more

Long term residents have insights to share – Tangi’s story Story

Tangi has observed changes over a forty year period in housing, health and unemployment. Tangi Teura is originally from Rarotonga but he has lived in Glen Innes for over forty… Read more

Anyone can make a difference – A Librarian’s story. Story

In Glen Innes the library is an important local facility for both adults and children alike. The way it is run, what it offers and who is there can support… Read more

A community coach inspires healthy lifestyles – Teremoana’s story. Story

Teremoana’s story shows how personal journeys are interwoven with those of the communities we contribute to. Teremoana has always had an active lifestyle, playing netball and exercising and when she… Read more

“Snack and Yak” – The Stewart Island way of connecting Story

“The benefits of Snack and Yaks will continue to increase given that we all have a common goal of making the Island a great place to live, as local groups… Read more

The Story of the Stewart Island Community Centre Story

Living on an Island of 400 people means finding yourself stepping into roles that you might not otherwise.To get things done, local residents have to step up and share in… Read more

Kahu makes 23 Story

In 2009 there were only 13 children left at Halfmoon Bay Primary school, Stuart Island, which meant losing funding for the last remaining teacher and becoming a sole-charge school. The… Read more

Community groups’ expo strengthens connections Story

In recent times, pressure on the Stuart Island volunteer base has also been affected by the growing importance of tourism within the local economy. With its summer season peaks, local… Read more

A Pool to be Proud Of…. Story

Living on an island means local children spend a lot of time on wharves and in boats which in turn means that learning to swim is a priceless skill. The… Read more

Timing is everything – synchronicities in Mataura. Story

Back in 2007, community leaders of the Southland town of Mataura had received some concerning research about the health of the community and rallied the locals to come together to… Read more

Catalysing Community Connections: How neighbours day brought locals to school and beyond. Story

As part of the celebration of Neighbours Day 2011 Mataura School’s senior class (Year 6) wrote an invitation to households neighbouring the school inviting them to celebrate Neighbours Day at… Read more

The Mataura Youth Trust Story

“I want a place that children came come and be children.” This was the dream of Garry Coates, spokesman for the Mataura Youth Trust, in 2011. Read more; Mataura… Read more

Mataura Family Fun Day Story

Mataura Family Fun Day emerged from several Mataura Gala Days which had been organised by the Taskforce Events group. These gala days were improving outcomes each time but public feedback… Read more

Matariki weaves its magic in Mataura Story

Finding common ground through the celebration of Matariki recognised the unique aspects of Mataura, and grew trust and respect across formally polarised local groups, including gang members and school teachers…. Read more

Mataura Community Garden – growing vegetables and a proud reputation Story

Barbara Cunningham had an idea to grow vegetables to help support struggling families in the Mataura community by offering locally grown, fresh, cheap vegetables.

Action focused community building Story

Action has always been a fundamental part of Massey community building. The Massey Matters project began with a Community Forum in 2006 and then quickly went to develop projects such… Read more

Door knocking to connect Story

Cold calling can be scary but hugely rewarding when it comes to finding out what is going on and what is hoped for in neighbourhoods. Sam Farquhar talks about working… Read more

An evolutionary approach – my story Story

In community-led development one thing leads to another and everything has a lifespan. Just because one thing finishes doesn’t mean its influences end. Looking back is a great way to… Read more

The heart of the house is the kitchen Story

At the Taita Great Start House, home to the Early Years Service Hub, the boardroom table has been replaced with a kitchen table. This is both a symbol of the… Read more

Partnering with Children – My Story Story

Kids say the darnedest things and are often disarmingly frank. Great Start Taita found that the ‘mouths of babes’ can lead to local improvements that are relevant and effective. Not… Read more

A Community wins with Periodic Detention Story

Periodic Detention (PD) workers are out in many communities every Saturday working as directed by our Justice system. At Great Start Taita, a decent dollop of respect and plenty… Read more

He Oranga o te rohe o Te Whakatōhea wellbeing survey Story

The time for reclaiming our iwi identity is upon us as we look forward, and at the same time, look back to the ways we once were. To begin to… Read more

Ōpōtiki’s ‘Computers in Homes’ project Story

The importance of a skilled and work-ready community is vital for Ōpōtiki and the Eastern Bay of Plenty as aquaculture, tourism and other regional economic strategies progress. Connectivity is a… Read more

Opotiki’s Murals Story

The “look” of a place has a big influence on how it “feels”, for locals and for visitors alike. The Opotiki murals have been recognised globally. The Murals not only… Read more

The Motu Trails Cycle Project Story

The test of true community leadership was trialled in the East Coast with four organisations collaboratively working to construct and develop the Motu Trails Cycle Project. The trails, which were… Read more

Enabling Change at Many Levels – Diana’s Story Story

Initiative: Good Cents Porirua.Theme: Leading in and Leaderful With the Good Cents course now being run from the Community Link centre in Porirua, there are now more and more referrals… Read more

Inspiring Communities Newsletter #44 – December 2014

To cap off a busy year, our December newsletter tells how two West Coast communities, Ross and Kumara, are mining community gold, together. There are also reviews of recent seminars… Read more

Inspiring Communities Newsletter #43 – November 2014

News items including; The Z Nail Gang; Neighbourly; Finding hidden treasures in Nelson and Inspiring Communities Plans.

Finding hidden treasure in Nelson Story

When Nelson resident Marcia Griggs heard about the idea of a community treasure hunt at an Inspiring Communities training workshop she got excited and thought, ‘ I could do that!’

The Z Nail Gang – A film about Community. Story

The Z-Nail gangA film about community, made by community. The feature film “The Z-Nail Gang” which was inspired by a community in the Coromandel that came together to fight for… Read more

Inspiring Communities Newsletter #42 October 2014

The role of local communities in co-creating positive wellbeing is a powerful global trend. IBM has predicted that in five years, “local will beat online,” Forbes Magazine reported that the… Read more

Inspiring Communities Newsletter #41 July 2014

With the mid-winter Matariki stars now above us, many Kiwi communities are coming together to celebrate and plan for the year ahead. “Strengthening Neighbourhoods” is a key focus for Inspiring Communities… Read more

Auckland IC Newsletter July 2014

This Carl Sandburgh quote, painted by Peter Tunney in 2005, is the inspiration for this newsletter. Winteris a great time for reflecting on what’s working well and thinking about where… Read more

Auckland May 2014 Auckland Newsletter

We have had a really enjoyable start to the year with some fantastic locally-grown events such as the Crowd-Grown Feast, Weed-dating, Neighbours Day and many more. It seems that the city… Read more

March 2014 Auckland Newsletter

Already there is a huge amount going with regard to locally led change and it is really fascinating tosee just how much working in this way is about different strokes… Read more

Inspiring Communities Newsletter 38 – September 2013

As we focus on our country’s determined participation in the America’s Cup, it’s wellworth reflecting on what enables our tiny nation to excel on the world stage.

Inspiring Communities Newsletter 37 – July 2013

Over time, our national participation rates in elections are declining, with under 50% of eligible citizensbothering to exercise this most basic right of citizenship in the 2010 local body elections.

Inspiring Communities Newsletter 36 – May 2013

Our Newsletter this month celebrates the growing community-led development movement around Aotearoa.

Making Good Cents in Porirua Story

Completing a Good Cents course has had many benefits for Kay (not her real name.) A $2,000 debt with the IRD has been cancelled; she has managed to repay outstanding… Read more

Getting Started – the ‘Back2Back’ experience. Story

The Back2Back project emerged out of a joint funding proposal to the Department of Internal Affairs in 2008. With a multi-party partners group in place from the get-go, street-level engagement… Read more

Changing the Common Story around Debt: Collective and individual financial transformation in Porirua. Story

Helping people to help themselves also helps communities grow resilience, especially when many diverse members of a community work together to create new opportunities and new ways of doing… Read more

People, place, reflective practice and transformational change: Makerita’s story Story

Initiative: Good Cents Porirua.Theme: Leading in and leaderful. Download PDF Personal journeys are interwoven with the places in which we live. Context can be critical, and this is just as… Read more

Partnering and growing together: Good Cents, WINZ and course graduates. Story

Initiative: Good Cents Porirua. Theme: Working together in place Download PDF The Good Cents course is more than budgeting and offers new approaches of getting back in control of a… Read more

A ‘light touch’: Good Cents enables significant change at a range of levels. Story

Initiative: Good Cents Porirua.Theme: Leading in and Leaderful Download PDF With the Good Cents course now being run from the Community Link centre in Porirua, there are now more and… Read more

Failing Forward: Good Cents skills help tackle budgeting blues. Story

Initiative: Good Cents Theme: Leading and leaderful failing_forward_good_cents_skills_help_tackle_budgeting_blues Completing a Good Cents course has had many benefits for Kay (not her real name.) A $2,000 debt with the IRD has… Read more

Good Cents Community Pantry: Growing skills, social connections and food. Story

Initiative: Good Cents Porirua. Theme: Creating and sustaining momentum Download PDF Good Cents emerged out of conversations between women food bank clients in financial difficulty who shared their stories and found… Read more

Good Cents Core Group: Lived diversity Story

Initiative: Good Cents Porirua. Theme: Creating and sustaining momentum Download PDF There is no disputing that bringing a diverse and committed core group together to help guide Good Cents towards… Read more

Looking for leadership in unexpected places: Good Cents course Story

Download PDF The Good Cents course is about more than budgeting. It has been developed by two staff from Wesley Community Actions Cannons C reek office in Porirua and is… Read more

Neighbourhood development – no one size fits all Story

During 2010-2011 with a sound foundation, community mandate and an experienced and respected worker in place, the Massey Ranui neighbourhood-led approach unfolded in a multitude of ways – many unexpected…. Read more

Building Neighbourhood Connections in Arch Hill Story

How the Arch Hill newsletter changed the community.

Rakiura Community Expo Story

At a September 2011 ‘Snack and Yak’ gathering of community groups in Stewart Island, Rakiura, the idea of holding a community expo was proposed as a way for local groups… Read more

Victory Village Forum, Nelson Story

A community that used to be characterised by high levels of crime, high numbers of families moving away, low school achievement and low access to health care has transformed itself within a decade.

Massey and how local government helped ‘make it matter’ Story

Local Councils are often part of community-led development initiatives but it is still uncommon to find a Council that has committed to a ten year period of support for a… Read more

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Neighbourhood Resources for Kiwi Classrooms Story