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WWP Review

As the WWP nears the end of its fourth year of implementation, we are commencing a review of the progress made by the project so far, and how might be funded in the future. A review of the deliverables and funding options for the project was also requested by the WEL Energy Trust as part of the current 5-year funding agreement.We have discussed the review with several potential providers and have selected Natalie Richard of Versus Research to undertake the review. The review will explore the fol...

Welcome Quanita Ali

As part of our 2924-25 Business Plan, we committed to a greater focus on our existing programmes, including Te Ara Poutama. We undertook a search for a suitably qualified and experienced person to lead Te Ara Poutama and were delighted with the quantity and calibre of people who applied, both from within the Waikato and across New Zealand.We are very excited to welcome Quanita Ali to the Waikato Wellbeing Project as our Te Ara Poutama Lead. Quanita brings an impressive set of skills and experien...

Partnership with GoEco

Our work in the kai (SDG 1,2) space has been ongoing for more than 2 years and several major pieces of work are current underway (see below). When our previous Kai Challenge Lead Amber Hammill moved into her new role at Te Whau Ora, we decided to explore other recruitment options that could create more lasting impact and opportunity.In partnership with WWP Manu Taki and GoEco CE Jo Wrigley, we are pleased to announce a new and exciting partnership for the Waikato Kai Challenge. We will jointly r...

Hunger and Poverty (SDGs 1,2)

As was reported in our July update, we have several major pieces of work currently underway:A baseline survey of the measures and indicators currently available to assess food security in our region. Currently being undertaken by StrategEase LtdAn analysis of the regions’ ‘foodshed’ – that is, a measure of our nutritional needs and outputs across the region. Currently being undertaken by Whirika Ltd. At this time, both pieces of work are nearing completion and will be available for ...

Lots of Little Fires

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

Te Ara Poutama- Hauraki Opportunity- Survey Open!

The Hauraki Opportunity is the flagship project of Te Ara Poutama, designed to deliver in co-construction with the people of Hauraki a repeatable Wellbeing Measurement and Management System that measures what matters to them, so that their needs, aspirations, and priorities can be further understood and evidenced, and so that – aligned to the intentions of Te Ara Poutama - important choices regarding the present and future wellbeing of the region can be made wisely.Completing the Community Sur...

Community Leaders Ecosystem Event

In partnership with Community Waikato, Hamilton City Council, and the Good Day Matrix, the Waikato Wellbeing project is delighted to be supporting the 2024 Community Leaders Ecosystem Event.This is not your ordinary leadership event. We all have a stake in the future, and we are setting the stage to make magic happen. If you are a community leader, a member of a not-for-profit organisation, a local government official, or someone who cares about their community thriving, we are inviting you to d...

Upcoming Creative Waikato Events

Jeremy Mayall, CEO of Creative Waikato and WWP SDG 3 Manu Taki is facilitating several amazing events in Kirikiriroa Hamilton over the next few weeks- please see details below.Ihirangaranga – Te Hua o Koanga: The Elixir of SpringSaturday 19th October - 5pm @ The MeteorWelcome the energy of Koanga (Spring) with the next iteration of Ihirangaranga, titled:  “Ngā Hua o Koanga: The Elixir of Spring“, where sounds and visuals will captivate and transport you to an experience you will...

Community Leaders Ecosystem Event

This is not your ordinary leadership event. We all have a stake in the future and we are setting the stage to make magic happen. If you are a community leader, a member of a not-for-profit organisation, a local government official, or someone who cares about their community thriving, we are inviting you to do something extraordinary with us....

Elevating the voices of young women (and non-binary people) in the Waikato

With our friends at YWCA of Hamilton, Huber Social, Trust Waikato and WEL Energy Trust, we are seeking to hear and elevate the voices of young women (and non-binary people) in the Waikato to understand what really matters to them, and their wellbeing, in their own words.We're asking Young Women and Non-Binary People aged 16-35 to take this survey before the end of September.Survey Link: https://tinyurl.com/ytytxz89...

Takurua 2024 | Winter 2024

A lot can happen in 8 weeks! Since our May update, we have started to see some of the major research projects we have co-funded and supported over the past 12-24 months reach a conclusion point, and several others major new projects have also kicked off. You can catch up on these below.We are starting to see some definite links and threads to our workstreams. For example between food, organic waste, climate change and water/river quality. There are also some very clear interconnections between p...

Hunger and Poverty (SDGs 1,2)

While we search for a replacement for Amber, we are making sure that the work programme she started continues.The Waikato Wellbeing Project’s Kai Challenge has an ambitious target of reducing child poverty in the Waikato region to less than 1% and eliminating child hunger by 2030. Our goal is that: “Our children can thrive because none are hungry at school or cold at home. They can afford to participate in social, artistic, cultural and sporting activities.”People and groups working at the...

Waikato Foodshed

A baseline foodshed analysis shows the estimated food production potential of a specific area’s productive land relative to the food needs of its population. A foodshed is a geographic area (typically within the boundaries of a district or region) that encompasses all the sources of food that are grown within that area. In an ideal world, a localised foodshed would also supply the population or community within that foodshed. Due to the complicated nature of a globalised food chain, this is no...

Circularising Organics Project and Webinar (SDG 12)

Update provided by Valerie Bianchi, Manu Taki SDG 12, Waste Prevention Advisor Waikato Regional Council....

Waikato Housing Stocktake (SDG 11)

The WHI was established under the Waiakto Plan in 2016 as part of the Waikato Plan and is the peak leadership body for housing in the Waikato. The WHI vision is that “Every person and every family in the Waikato region is well-housed, living in sustainable, flourishing and connected communities”.WHI members work to change the current status quo of housing across the region by leading, connecting and facilitating the delivery of affordable, quality and accessible homes in the Waikato. The Ini...

Awhi Healthy Homes Initiative

AWHI is a free initiative that works to improve housing conditions for whānau in South Auckland and Waikato. At the heart of the AWHI programme is equipping whānau with the skills, confidence and knowledge to create homes that are healthy, safe, warm and dry.The AWHI team achieves this by connecting whānau with local service and community providers who help ranging from minor repairs, access to resources like bedding, curtains and heaters to providing advice, support and education.A...

Lots of Little Fires

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

Te Ara Poutama- Hauraki Opportunity

Updated provided by Michelle Macaskill, acting CEO Huber Social...

Pacific Peoples Wellbeing in Aotearoa: Webinar

Te Hiringa Mahara |The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and Le Va Pasifika will be co-hosting a webinar on supporting Pacific people's wellbeing in Aotearoa 12pm Thursday 8 August 2024 via Zoom.This webinar will share and expand on the findings of the Pacific wellbeing report which was released in May 2024.  A summary infographic can also be downloaded here.Te Hiringa Mahara Principal Advisor Wellbeing Matt Bloomer will focus on understanding how we can better support Pacifi...

Waikato Housing Initiative 2023 Housing Stocktake Update

In 2018 the Initiative first produced a housing stocktake that has been referenced at all levels of government as a roadmap for measuring housing outcomes.The stocktake aims to serve as a tool which determines overall housing needs and availability across the region.This updated stocktake report serves as the first publication in a series of housing related reports, with the subsequent report focussing specifically on regional affordability....

Circularising Organics Report

Recycling organic material back into the soil was a common practice among both Māori and Pākehā until the mid-20th century. However, in today's linear waste system, around half of the waste sent to landfills in the Waikato region is organic material. This not only represents a significant waste of resources but also contributes to pollution, as each tonne of food waste generates a third of a tonne of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases. Various organisations are working to address this issue, suc...

Spotlight on Awhi Healthy Homes Initiative

Awhi Healthy Homes is a free initiative in South Auckland and Waikato improving wellbeing through better housing conditions.Awhi equips families with skills and resources for healthy, safe homes by connecting them with essential services like repairs, bedding, heaters, and advice.Healthy homes are essential for preventing common illnesses. Many common illnesses are preventable and are linked to poor ventilation and dampness in the home. Awhi is leading the way in improving living conditions and ...

Rebalancing Our Food System

I have decided to lean into my optimism about this report, ‘Rebalancing our food system’ produced by the Public Health Advisory Committee in May 2024. There is a lot to love in here!...

Acessing Food Data

The Waikato Wellbeing Project has a target to reduce child poverty from 1 in 6 to fewer than 1% of children by 2030. There are no specific indicators for hunger, but the goal is that “Our children can thrive because none are hungry at school or cold at home. They can afford to participate in social, artistic, cultural and sporting activities”.As we move towards this target, I wonder what signs, signals and indicators will we look towards to confirm what we are hearing and seeing anecdotally?...

Waikato Wellbeing Project celebrates one year of Lots of Little Fires - sharing inspiring stories and positive impact

Waikato Wellbeing Project is thrilled to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Lots of Little Fires, marking a milestone in its mission to celebrate incredible people, doing incredible things, and inspiring others through the power of storytelling. As Lots of Little Fires turns one, we reflect on the journey thus far and look ahead to the future with renewed enthusiasm and purpose.At its core, Lots of Little Fires aims to amplify the voices of inspirational people and kaupapa that are working to...