Navigating together towards a thriving future in Te Tauihu
"Te haere ngātahi ki tētahi anamata tōnui i Te Tauihu"
About us
Te Tauihu Community Development Agency has been set up to respond to the for-purpose sector’s needs, to facilitate collective action, advocate for the sector and to take action on the Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy.
Our agency will do this by supporting a strong, connected and well-resourced for-purpose sector, so organisations and groups working in the sector can work more effectively and collectively to support the wellbeing of our communities and deliver on relevant intergenerational strategy actions.
There are over 1400 for purpose community groups and organisations serving the communities across Te Tauihu doing amazing work. There is an abundance of energy and resources (people, skills and assets) across the region. When we work together, we will collectively and effectively deliver on our intergenerational strategy and support the wellbeing of our communities.
This is what makes our region unique.
Our guiding principles
Aligned to Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy
Whanaungatanga: We are a tapestry of interconnected relationships, fostering belonging and unity. Through meaningful partnerships and celebrating diversity, we cultivate a sector where solidarity and social cohesion are paramount.
Pono: Our path is guided by integrity and honesty. We pledge to make decisions conscientiously, embracing transparency and a continuous pursuit of improvement.
Manaakitanga: We care and respect. By creating welcoming spaces, practising empathy, and honouring our cultural uniqueness, we uphold an environment where every individual is valued.
Rangatiratanga: We champion self-determination and leadership. Our commitment is to empower decision-making, embrace participatory processes, and honour autonomy, ensuring our actions reflect collective values.
Mana Taurite: We stand for equality, fairness, and justice. By fostering inclusive decision-making and addressing systemic inequalities, we strive for a sector where opportunities and resources are equitably distributed.
Aūahatanga: We are the bearers of creativity and innovation. We encourage a culture that values diverse perspectives, embraces new ideas, and learns from both successes and setbacks.
Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho: We are stewards of ancestral treasures. We commit to preserving our cultural, historical and environmental heritage, ensuring its continuity through education and inclusive representation.
Intergenerational outcomes:
Empowered focus - for-purpose organisations and groups are liberated to concentrate on impactful service delivery, supported by efficient back-office systems and governance.
Connectivity and support - we foster a connected community where support and collaboration are the keystones.
Optimised resources - we strive for efficient use of resources, maximizing collaboration for the greatest impact
Place and people - we care and do no harm to our people and our environment
Unified action - by collaborating with diverse stakeholders, we aim for the collective improvement of Oranga Te Tauihu.
Strategic clarity - we are united in a clear strategic direction, ensuring a cohesive approach to community development.
Resources - we ensure the sector is well-equipped to enact intergenerational multi-year plans, supporting the thriving of Te Tauihu.
The current environment
We are working in a challenging for-purpose environment – there is less funding available, increased costs, increasing need exacerbated by the cost of living, increasing complexity in running a for-purpose organisation, decrease in volunteerism (impacting delivery and succession planning) and a new government with new priorities – a perfect storm.
There is a tangible energy for change and to weather this storm together for the benefit of everyone that lives, works and plays in Te Tauihu.
“It’s the right time for transformative change for our sector and region. Let’s share information, share experience, share resources.”
We know that many for-purpose groups and organisations are finding it challenging to weather the current storm. The back office and governance requirements for many groups, particularly those with few employees and limited funding, is costly and significantly reduces their ability to deliver the services and activities they were set up to deliver. For-purpose community groups and organisations have signalled that many are struggling on their own and would benefit from connection, and others are missing opportunities to collaborate, create efficiencies, innovate and increase the breadth and depth of their services to support the need and to attract additional funding and/or generate revenue.
Establishing our agency
The need for this agency was identified in the significant community engagement process of creating the Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy (30,000 people reached, over 1000 across 25 live events); through a feasibility study done in 2021; Te Tauihu Strengthening the Sector survey - vast majority of the respondents to the survey think the agency would add value (72% in 2022 and 86% 2023) and the value of an agency was reiterated at community engagement hui held in May and June 2023 (themes that emerged can be found here).
For-purpose community groups and organisations are wanting an agency to
develop a shared strategic direction and to be able to more effectively communicate and advocate for our communities and region. ADVOCATE
to collaborate with each other and with other agencies and organisations in our region. FACILITATE
to support back-office functions, governance and training to help them so they can focus on delivering their services. SUPPORT
Establishment process – work that’s being done.
Our establishment group and working groups.
In August 2023 an establishment group was formed from people who had put their hands up to be involved[1]. The establishment group meets monthly to guide the establishment of the agency and to support the work of the working groups. Membership of the establishment group and working groups is open and we have had addition people join us since inception[2]
1] Ali Boswijk, Debbie McLean-Janet, Eileen Varley, Estella Tawha-Davis, Eva Lawrence, Gordon Oldfield, Jac Stevenson, Jude Porteous, Kindra Douglas, Leigh Manson, Lisa Lawrence, Megan Courtney, Shane Graham, Andrea Kepes, Bill Huppler, Blair Carpenter, Cathie Gould, James Hodgson, Jennifer Beatson, Lloyd Tibble, Penny Molnar, Suzanne Jones, Te Haupai Davis, Theresa Kidd-Foley, Ventura Fitzgerald, Yulia Panfylova, Venus Guy
[2] Bevan Woodward, Deborah Delliessi, Lani Evans, Linda Connor, Nick Clarke, Robin Schiff, Chloe Howorth, Erin Powell, Jodie Griffiths, Liz Webb, Marie Lindaya.
Building our relationship with Iwi
At the May 2023 community hui at Saxton, Shane Graham (CEO Ngāti Rārua) spoke as one of the opening speakers on the Iwi interest in supporting the governance of the agency, potentially providing a guide that includes Iwi leadership and management.
He spoke of a governance model that highlights the importance of decision-making and partnership between iwi and other stakeholders that is sustainable, intergenerational, and authentic. Iwi governance would be a step towards embracing mana ōrite and fostering the articles in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Shane worked with our establishment group to develop our iwi governance model and co-created our kawenata.
Our governance and organisational structure is under construction.
Our kawenata
Our kawenata is our relationship agreement that sets out the principles, aspirations, and strategic aims of the relationship between iwi, our agency and all for-purpose organisations who sign up to it. It will ensure an intergenerational and enduring relationship that stayed connected to the original intent of our agency. It will provide a basis for protection and when needed, constructive challenge.
It is anticipated that our kawenata will guide not only iwi and our agency’s relationship but will also underpin all other relationships with people and organisations working with our agency.