Our Mission

To build a platform for successful CLD in Aotearoa at both community and system level.

Foundational to everything we do is:
Collaboration & Connection: Embracing tino rangatiratanga and the rights of tangata whenua in the design and delivery of everything we do. Actively encouraging collaboration and making connections.

To achieve our vision for Aotearoa, Inspiring Communities will focus on four hekenga (pathways):

• Building Capability: Providing training and sharing CLD information and resources to enhance CLD skills and knowledge for all.
• Evolving Knowledge: Generating new insights and resources to continually advance understanding and approach to community-led development.
• Influencing Change: Championing CLD at a national/system level to establish an environment which enables community-led approaches.
• Ensuring Sustainability: Upholding strong governance connecting strategy and operations; maintaining efficient systems and a capable and committed team; achieving financial stability; and upholding IC reputation and credibility.

Our Vision

Our vision is an Aotearoa where all communities are at the centre of creating and implementing change to improve their own hauora (wellbeing).

“Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket we will sustain the people”.

Community-led development (CLD) in Aotearoa is an approach to improving hauora (wellbeing) of the local community by embedding Te Tiriti, working with diverse local leadership, and implementing solutions that build on the strengths of that place.

Our Whakapapa

Honouring Te Tiriti and ensuring its foundation as a guide for CLD in Aotearoa has been part of Inspiring Communities (IC’s) frame since inception.  

IC was founded in 2008 by a group of community development practitioners. The early years (2008-2012) focused on establishing CLD networks and information sharing, establishing learning clusters, and working regionally on hands-on projects. One of the earliest projects was in Ōpōtiki working with the District Council and Whakatōhea iwi, which became the base of a Bay of Plenty regional network. 

While Inspiring Communities has always referenced the international CLD movement, the work in Aotearoa has been adapted to acknowledge tangata whenua world views. An example is the contextualising of the Inspiring Communities CLD principles. 

In 2013 IC published ‘Learning by Doing’ which provides Aotearoa context to CLD, cites iwi-led examples and discusses alignment with CLD principles. Colleen Tuuta offered the phrase ‘Mātauranga Community’ – Learning by Doing.   

The ‘Learning By Doing’ document includes a section on Whānau, Hapū, Iwi led CLD. 

 In 2017/18 IC developed their first Te Tiriti Responsiveness Action Plan to operationalise the commitment to Te Tiriti in the organisation.  

Victor Walker’s He Manawa Māori Report in 2022 opened up new relationship possibilities for Inspiring Communities in terms of the IC network he engaged with. His report shone a light on the dynamic hapū/iwi/Māori-led development mahi underway. Unfortunately, natural disasters/capacity issues disrupted progress on this report. 

Current Work 

In 2023 IC reviewed its strategy and direction in an organisational reset. As part of this, Sarah Morris was commissioned to review IC’s progress in implementing the long-term vision for Te Tiriti and CLD and to propose next steps in that journey. Inspiring Communities developed transition workstreams as part of the organisational refresh. This included: 

• a statement supporting Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and acknowledging hapū Māori never ceded sovereignty  

• integrating Te Ao Māori values into the understanding of IC’s work, expressed as Te Whakawhanake ā-Hapori ki Aotearoa (weaving together our connections and contributions) and Ngå Mātāpono (the core CLD Principles).  

• exploring a Wharenui Model as a framework for visually representing the organisation of Inspiring Communities 

• adopting a new model for its strategic framework  

In 2024 IC began the Learner Pathway project, to ensure that IC training opportunities reflect the strategic priorities, including Te Tiriti.  Work is also underway to make the website and online resources easier to navigate, and for the expression of our commitment to Te Tiriti more prominent.  

Towards a Te Tiriti responsive organisation 

At the Inspiring Communities Board strategy day in September 2025, the Board affirmed its commitment to Inspiring Communities operating as a Te Tiriti responsive organisation. 

For Inspiring Communities this means we aspire to ensure that: 

• IC tools and resources – we reflect Te Tiriti, acknowledge tino rangatiratanga, ōritetanga and wairuatanga and provide positive examples of communities working towards decolonisation and Te Tiriti justice. 

• IC training and practice with organisations – we honour Te Tiriti in our work and guide and advise others on their journey with courage and integrity. We work to ensure our approach and our content is consistent with our commitment to Te Tiriti. 
• IC organisational processes – we create space for tino rangatiratanga in the organisation in terms of our operating models. We advocate for honouring Te Tiriti. We learn together, and report on our progress as a Te Tiriti responsive organisation. We maintain supportive working relationships with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations. 

Inspiring Communities acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the foundational document upon which Aotearoa New Zealand was established. Hapū Māori did not cede sovereignty when they signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Inspiring Communities recognises and affirms tino rangatiratanga of whānau, hapū and iwi Māori over their lands, resources, and taonga.