Nau mai haere mai
Whakatairangatia i te mana o te rangahau ā-hāpori me te mahi tahi
Community and whānau aspirations for research.

Kaiwhakahaere kōrero 

Kia ora e te whānau,

As Matariki rose once more in our skies, we at Community Research took the time to reflect, reconnect, and reset – marking not just the Māori New Year, but also the start of our new financial year. It was a time to acknowledge the richness of community-led knowledge, and to recommit to our shared journey of uplifting diverse voices across Aotearoa.

We were especially grateful to celebrate our first Matariki mā Puanga together as the Purpose Collective, alongside our workspace partners Hui E! Community Aotearoa and Tūao Aotearoa – Volunteering NZ. The day was filled with connection, shared kai and harakeke star-making – a beautiful expression of inclusion and collaboration. A big thank you to Eve and Bev who made the wonderful kai on offer.  And to those from across the sector who were able to join us.

Even as we celebrated, we remained deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the collective wellbeing of people and planet posed by the current coalition government. Like many of you, we were dismayed by the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill, and heartened by the powerful oral submissions from respected leaders and community voices who spoke out against it. You can read a summary of those submissions here.

We also note with concern the decision to halt the NZ Census and increase reliance on administrative data. This raises real risks that diverse communities will become even more invisible in national datasets. We encourage you to read the important whakaaro from Te Mana Raraunga – the Māori Data Sovereignty Network here.

In all that we do, we remain grounded in our kaupapa – to amplify community voices, uphold Te Tiriti, and support research that strengthens equity, inclusion and collective wellbeing.

Ngā manaakitanga, Lorna

Upcoming Tautoko sessions

A friendly reminder about our Ethnic, former refugee, and migrant researchers online Tautoko session:

Thursday 17 July 2025, 12noon - 1pm

Our July gathering has a primary focus on making connections and informal kōrero and includes informal 5-minute mini-talks. We will also provide an update on the Community Research mahi/work we are doing in the ethnic, former refugee and migrant space and discuss potential topics as a focus for our September gathering.

Come along and connect with other researchers, former refugees, and migrant peers who are passionate about research by and for ethnic communities and how it can be used to support collective action and positive change.

Tuesday 19 August 2025, 12noon - 1pm
Find out more and sign up here

Unpacking the Community Research Code of Practice

The Community Research Code of Practice (the Code) has been developed to describe optimum practices in community research as a set of benchmark principles and standards and to help researchers ensure there is minimal risk and maximum benefit to the people, groups, communities and organisations that are participants in research. The current 2020 edition of the Code is framed by five whanonga pono (core values) with an emphasis on research that benefits communities rather than as an extractive exercise. The five whanonga pono are: whanaungatanga, rangatiratanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga and embedded.

A panel will be discussing the findings from the 2025 Assessment of wellbeing for people who interact with mental health and addiction services.

The session will be hosted by Dr Ella Cullen, Kaiwhakahaere Pūnaha Toiora Arataki | Director of Wellbeing System Leadership, Te Hiringa Mahara. Panel members:

• Laura Ross, Kaitohu Mātaamuao te Pūnaha Toiora | Principal Advisor Wellbeing System, Te Hiringa Mahara
• Alex El Amanni, Addiction Practitioner and Counsellor, Te Hiringa Mahara board member
• Professor Te Kani Kingi, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Community Sector Insights Report by Community Research

The aim of this research is to bring together key insights from a synthesis of nine substantive research reports, published between 2020-2024, of high relevance to the community and voluntary sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. These reports came from some of our most trusted sector voices - Inspiring Communities, Hui E! Community Aotearoa, ComVoices & Community Networks Aotearoa, The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa, New Zealand Productivity Commission Te Kōmihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa Ganesh Ahirao (Nana), Department of Internal Affairs (NZ), Stats NZ.

We commissioned researcher Paula White, to analyse and distill the key insights and identify potential future actions and opportunities for the sector including Community Research. Rather than the traditional research report – our team have adopted a slides-oriented pdf format to better convey the findings in an audience friendly manner.

This report provide insights about — the strengths that hold us together, the challenges that we continue to navigate, the emerging opportunities on the horizon, and some collective actions we can take for the future.

Our sector is powered by people: kaupapa-driven, diverse, and deeply connected. But we’re stretched — facing burnout, rising demand, and misaligned public systems. The challenges and strengths identified have been consistent for several years – however the pressures on funding, addressing need, and capacity have increased. Much of what we have identified across the sector is already ‘known’ by many in the sector and we hope this research synthesis helps prompt us to think about how we might do things differently to drive positive change.

This resource isn’t just a snapshot. It’s a call to kōrero, to realign, and to act. As sector organisations look to the future, this research presents some potential ways to translate what we know into positive action. Opportunities for Te Tiriti-led change, collaboration and stronger partnerships are within reach — when we move together.

Read the Community Sector Insights Report here.

New Special Collection in development 

Community Research is developing the Queerness in Aotearoa* collection – a kete of research, resources, and community-led kōrero by and for queer communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This living collection is about making queer-led research more visible, accessible, and connected. It celebrates the richness and diversity of queer experiences, including the voices of tangata whenua, MVPFAFF+, and others, while providing kaitiakitanga for queer knowledge. We're welcoming all forms of knowledge-making – with a commitment to upholding Te Tiriti, amplifying queer voices, and strengthening the links between people across Aotearoa’s diverse queer spaces.

If you would like to contribute to this collection please follow this link to email Moana. 

Te Tiriti o Watangi resources

We've compiled a list of resources and trusted sources you can engage with to expand your understand of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
https://communityresearch.org.nz/te-tiriti-resources-for-learning-and-action

Whaimana – Support My Decisions

Join in person or online for the launch of the new digital resource Whaimana – Support My Decisions.

When: Thursday 24 July 2025, 11am - 12pm 

Where: 56 The Terrace, Wellington Central or online

Register to attend here

Registrations are open here

Call for Abstracts

There are two separate calls for abstracts:

• abstracts focused on research presentations 
• abstracts for community project showcases

Submit an abstract here by 19 July

Thriving Ethnic Communities: The Role of Local Government

2025 Nōku te Ao Puna Pūtea | Social Action Grants 

If you’ve got a powerful idea to shift the kōrero around mental distress and reduce discrimination in your community, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Here’s what you need to know: 

• Applications will be open from 21 July to 31 August 📅 

• Grants range from $10,000 to $40,000 💰 

• Chosen projects must be completed within six months ⏰ 

Whether it’s a wānanga series, art project, community event, storytelling initiative, or something else entirely – we’re here to tautoko you every step of the way. 

For tips on how to apply, go to Mental Health Foundation website, and check out this video 🎥 by their Social Action Grants Co-ordinator, Fee Tamani: Watch the video

Be the Change – Help Make Accessibility a Right

Access Matters are building a bold, united, and unstoppable campaign to demand real, measurable change for disabled people and everyone with access needs across Aotearoa.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to have your say.
Your voice, your lived experience, and your ideas are powerful—and they belong at the heart of this movement.

👉 Complete the survey now and help shape the future we all deserve: Survey Link.

This is more than just a form. It’s your opportunity to be part of something bigger—pushing for stronger rights, real accountability, and an Aotearoa where accessibility is no longer optional.

The new bill should:

✅ Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi

✅ Make the rights in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), including the right to accessibility, real and enforceable under Aotearoa law

✅ Use the Making New Zealand Accessible report as the foundation for creating a legal framework to identify and remove accessibility barriers

✅ Make it clear who is responsible for removing barriers — and by when

• A clearer understanding of what influence looks like in everyday life
• How NZSIS works to detect, disrupt, and deter threats affecting our communities
• Insights into new legal protections with proposed legislation
• A safe space to ask questions and raise community concerns
• Practical ways to protect your networks, culture, and wellbeing
• Tools to build long-term resilience and confidence
•  Avenues to report concerning behaviours and activities

Our vision is a more equitable, engaged and inclusive Aotearoa informed by community knowledge.
Ko ta mātou whakakitenga he Aotearoa e tōkeke ana, e whai kiko ana, e whakamohio mai ana e te matauranga hapori.

Our Commitment: 
We provide our services free of charge to support tangata whenua, and the voluntary and community sectors. Community Research is a registered charity, sustained by donations and grants.

Your Support Matters: 
If you value our work, please consider making a donation. Your contribution helps us continue to foster a more connected and informed Aotearoa.