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Rangatahi Wellbeing (SDGs 4,8,10)

An update by Lead Social Innovator, Joe WilsonSince our work in 2021-22 on Rangatahi Opportunity and Case for Change, I have worked with the ‘Stronger Together’ Business Collective and the Kirikiriroa Youth Sector Services to build a united relationship between the business and youth service sectors. The bringing together of both sectors was carefully documented (Rangatahi | Youth Waikato | Waikato Wellbeing Project). This video story captures the whakawhanaungatanga as it happened and the s...

Youth Homelessness/Housing (SDGs 4,8,10 and 11)

In 2023, Joe has connected and facilitated a hui and process between 20/20 Sustainable Housing and He Puaawai Teen Parent Unit. Gill Cotter (Lead at He Puaawai) and Angie Simpson (Director of 20/20 Sustainable Housing) were introduced in September where they shared their mahi, experiences with youth housing and what opportunities may lie ahead.As a result of this first hui, we have since had three more and very quickly it has been identified that at least eight of the teen parents are living in ...

Hunger and Poverty (SDGs 1,2)

An update by Dr Amber Hammill, Kai Challenge ActivatorThe WWP identified SDGs 1 and 2 as major priorities at the commencement of our implementation phase in 2021. Across 2023 we have engaged with stakeholders and leaders in the Waikato kai system, engaged a Kai Challenge Activator and have commenced a process to:·       Develop a picture of the systems currently in use around the region to support our conversations about the future.·     &...

Other SDGs

Across other SDGs, we have worked with our Manu Taki and community stakeholders to identify and take opportunities to accelerate wellbeing.SDG 5 (Gender Equality) we have welcomed Riikka Anderson from YWCA Waikato as Manu Taki for this SDG. An initial SDG 5 scorecard for the Waikato has been developed and published on Te Ara Poutama. In October we supported Rainbow Hub Waikato and Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura – Outing Violence to launch a report on the wellbeing for Takatāpui and Rainbow elders in...

Te Ara Poutama

2023 has seen further development of Te Ara Poutama- moving from concept to development. We were delighted in May 2023 to have Trust Waikato come on board as a key funder and supporter for Te Ara Poutama, along with continued support from Waikato Regional Council.  With our partners we launched the Te Ara Poutama Wellbeing Dashboard, showing progress at a number of scales (Global, New Zealand, Waikato, SDGs, districts) and through several lenses (frameworks, data and update reports).As well...

Introducing Tui

We have just launched Tui, our AI search facility for Te Ara Poutama. Powered by Chat GPT, Tui is a learning AI application which can search Te Ara Poutama and the internet to answer your wellbeing knowledge questions. You can find Tui on our website: Te Ara Poutama Waikato | Waikato Wellbeing Project...

Hauraki Wellbeing Assessment

In early 2023, along with key Waikato wellbeing agencies, we were invited by the Mayor and Council of Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) to visit their district and discuss support in the aftermath of cyclones Hale and Gabrielle. At that meting the role of wellbeing knowledge was discussed at length and it was agreed that the WWP could support TCDC and other wellbeing agencies in the area, to better understand what wellbeing means for people in the Hauraki rohe and how that night change o...

Lots of Little Fires

An update by Lead Social Innovator, Joe Wilson...

Waha: Using our Voice to Advocate for Positive Change

Across 2023 we have used our voices- individually and collectively in many ways to advance the Waikato Wellbeing project kaupapa. As part of the choir of Waikato change-makers, we’ve also humbly lent our voices to support the other awesome people making a difference as well.As well as what’s been mentioned already, some of the other ways we’ve supported positive change include:·       Making submissions to the government on key inquiries and change proposals ...

Celebrating Excellence: Joe Wilson and "Lots of Little Fires" Receive Prestigious Billie Award

The Waikato Wellbeing Project is thrilled to announce that Joe Wilson, the visionary behind the Lots of Little Fires storytelling research project, has been honoured with the Billie Award for Strengths-Based Research at the Te Auaha Pito Mata – New and Emerging Researcher Awards, hosted by Community Research New Zealand.The Billie Award, named after Garth Nowland-Foreman's mother, who was known for her ability to see the positive in everyone, recognises the transformative work of Lots of Littl...

Lots of Little Fires an Award Winner!

We are not the only ones who believe in the power of storytelling; Lots of Little Fires has just been awarded the Community Research ‘Billie Award’ for Strengths Based Storytelling. Joe Wilson will travel down to Pōneke to receive this award in October. We thank all the incredible people and communities who have so vulnerably told their stories and trusted us to share with you all.  This award is absolutely yours, for the heart, mana and mahi you do in your communities. Ngaa mihi nui.L...

Congratulations Dujon Cullingford!

Kaitiaki Advisory Board member Dujon Cullingford was recently awarded a civic award for services to the community by Mayor Paula Southgate.Dujon says “his journey started in the hood with parents who valued expression. Stumbling into dance, church, youthwork and Hip Hop culture young, took me to places I would have never imagined and built a strong base. The amazing mentors and people I've had in my life since have influenced me for the better, helping me grow and serve community, youth and th...

Kia Ora and Welcome Dr Rebekah Graham

In August we were excited to welcome Dr Rebekah Graham to our Kaitiaki Advisory Board. Rebekah has a passion for community wellbeing and expertise in various interconnected areas, namely food insecurity, but more recently disability.“The Waikato Wellbeing Project’s strategic priorities and focus areas (such as leading impactful projects, sharing wellbeing stories through data and insight, fostering community engagement, advocating for positive change, and supporting regional plans), resonate...

Community Led Youth and Business Collective

As part of the cross-sector collaboration including the ‘Stronger Together’ Business Collective and the Kirikiriroa Youth Sector Services, the WWP has facilitated this ongoing community led project to build a united relationship between the business and youth service sectors.The bringing together of both sectors was carefully documented and captures the whakawhanaungatanga as it happened and the sharing of, what were both polarising and shared perspectives and experiences. The result was an ...

Outward Bound and Youth Employability

Joe Wilson has built a strong relationship with Bevan Smith (Principal Advisor at MOE) and Krishan Kumar (community development lead at Outward Bound). Together, along with Elle Freestone (Mayors Taskforce for Jobs), the WWP are funding two places out of a group of 14 for rurally placed rangatahi in the Waikato entering employment. This is an incredible opportunity to attend the 8-day Whakatipu Course with Outward Bound in Anakiwa. This is a Waikato based kaupapa and we hope to build this furthe...

Waikato Kai Challenge

Thanks to the many people who took the time to share their work with me over the Winter, the Kai Challenge comes into the Spring with a path forward into the next phase of the work.The big message from people working at the hungry end of the food system in the Waikato is that the need for their support is growing. This is echoed across the motu. A recent paper from Kore Hiakai shows that, amongst the services they’re in touch with, the number of food parcel they are distributing per month rose...

Te Ara Poutama Public Webinar

The Waikato Wellbeing Project is proud to introduce Te Ara Poutama, a digital library aimed at equipping individuals and communities with the essential knowledge needed for making informed decisions that positively impact their lives.Developed with support from Trust Waikato, Te Ara Poutama embodies the mission of the Waikato Wellbeing Project: to transform lives through meaningful initiatives. This innovative digital library represents a significant stride towards realising this vision.Join the...

Waha: Using our Voice to Advocate for Positive Change

It's nearly three years since the operational phase of the Waikato Wellbeing project started. In that time we have done a huge amount to partner, collaborate, communicate and share our wellbeing insights and to celebrate the awesome mahi of those in the community who are leading and being the change we champion. Here’s a snapshot of our activity since January 2021!...

The Good Day Matrix: Take Ten Leadership Event

The Good Day Matrix is hosting a Take Ten Leadership Event on Friday 10 November at the Galagher Hub, Te Pukenga (WINTEC) campus in Hamilton.  Hear from ten amazing leaders each taking ten minutes to share their leadership stories and insights. Speakers are:David Galbraith - Olympics Performance Psychologist & Performance CoachCarol Brown - Sales Director @ Microsoft & Forbes Coaching CouncilHusain Al-Badry - Datacom Associate Director of Innovation and Growth & Refugees as Surv...

EDNZ Conference

The annual Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) conference is being held this year in the mighty Waikato.To register for the conference please go to: Personal Information - EDNZ Conference 2023 (cvent.com)Economic Development continues to evolve and change. As a profession it is good for us to step back and assess changing landscapes and what it means for us as economic development practitioners.Thursday morning will provide the opportunity to hear and reflect on some important aspects of new...

SWIFT have launched a $50,000 scholarship scheme

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) have launched a $50,000 scholarship scheme to help South Waikato residents of all ages with their tertiary education.The scholarship programme is not only for school leavers....

2023 Climathon Waikato Impact Report

In this pivotal year for humanity, the call for decisive climate action is more urgent than ever. So, what happens when you bring together students, professionals, climate experts, and citizens to co-create solutions for our shared climate challenges? That's what we sought to find out in the 2023 edition of Climathon Waikato. Through a series of interactive 'warm-up' events and workshops in the lead-up, plus a 13-hour hackathon-style 'Ideathon', we brought together more than 200 aspiring ch...

Matariki

Matariki is the name of a star cluster in the constellation of Taurus, commonly also known as Pleiades, which rises on the horizon towards the end of May each year and heralds Te Mātahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year. The arrival of Matariki signals that it is time for people to gather, honour the dead, celebrate the present, and make plans for the future....

June Manu Taki Hui

Consistent with our kaupapa of being flax-roots led and informed by lived experience, a key component of the wider leadership model of the WWP has been the call for manu taki to join with the WWP movement.Manu means bird, Taki means to entice, to lead, to bring along. Manu taki therefore symbolises leadership, uplift and succession. Our Manu Taki are leaders who can catalysing the Waikato wellbeing targets into action. As with a murmuration of flocking birds, our Manu Taki are not...

Poutoko: Impact Project Update - The Rangatahi Opportunity

Following our 2022 case for change report, we have been focusing on supporting our rangatahi in two areas- youth homelessness and youth employment.Youth HomelessnessWWP Lead Social Innovator Joe Wilson has been working closely with the ‘Manaaki Rangatahi’ collective, a ‘End Youth Homelessness’ kaupapa lobbying and advocating to government for policy and housing change to tackle the endemic problem facing so many rangatahi, across Aotearoa including here in the Waikato.Joe sees his role a...