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Keeping you informed about community-led research - for a more inclusive and equitable Aotearoa.
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Nau mai haere mai
Whakatairangatia i te mana o te rangahau ā-hāpori me te mahi tahi
Community and whānau aspirations for research. |
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Kia ora e te whānau,
Kua puāwai mai a Kōanga, e kawe ana i te ora hou me te pae tawhiti o ngā tūmanako.
Spring has blossomed, carrying with it renewal and the horizon of new possibilities.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Māori Language Week (14-20 September) — a massive milestone that speaks to the determination and passion of generations who have fought to keep te reo Māori alive. It is a time to celebrate the richness of our reo, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring it thrives for the next fifty years and beyond.
As we celebrate, we must also be alert to the ongoing challenges. Proposals for seabed mining in Taranaki and the removal of te reo Māori kupu from schoolbooks remind us that progress is never guaranteed. These decisions risk undermining Te Tiriti o Waitangi, damaging our environment, and weakening the cultural revitalisation so many have fought for, and continue to fight so hard to achieve.
Participation in the upcoming local elections shape the places we live — from how our neighbourhoods are planned to the services our communities rely on — so make sure your voice is heard by voting in both the Māori ward referendum and the local elections. For more information about why voting to retain Māori Wards is so important.
As an Incorporated Society we are required to maintain a register of membership to our organisation. Our members are advocates of our kaupapa and the positive change for Aotearoa that we seek to achieve through amplifying community-led research, diverse voices and and ways of knowing. Please follow this link you would like to further support Community Research by becoming a member.
In this edition of Ngā kete, we share updates and new research to help you stay informed and uplift your mahi. In addition there is a huge range of resources and opportunities for connection, to learn and to stand together for the changes our communities need.
Ngā manaakitanga, Lorna |
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Community Research was invited by Community Governance to present at their Table Talks session, where guest facilitators share relevant, real-world insights to strengthen governance in our communities.
Dr Arpita Das, Te Tiriti Co-Chair, shared reflections from Community Research’s own governance journey.
Lorna Ingram, Kaiwhakahaere Matua, demonstrated to governance teams how they can access our range of resources and research that reflects community voices to support greater inclusion and equity in governance.
Bev Tso Hong, Kaitūhono provided an overview of good practice research and evaluation tools that can support stronger, more informed decision-making and help community organsiations demonstrate their impact.
We hope that our session offered useful tools, practical examples and inspiration for using research and evaluation to strengthen governance. The slide pack we shared is available here. |
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Congratulations to co-hosts Asian Family Services (AFS) and University of Auckland's Thriving at the Crossroads Programme (T@C). The 140+ attendees included Ministers, cross party MPs, government officials, cross-sector leaders, policymakers, community leaders, health professionals, and researchers.
The youth-centred event, heard from T@Cs Asian youth and AFS youth, about how lived experience is impacting on their mental health and is deterring help-seeking and healthcare use. The day included the launch of a research summary publication highlighting the causes of and barriers to help-seeking and opportunities for change.
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| | Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2025
14 – 20 September
This September marks the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week).
Born of activism, the week grew from a single ‘Māori Language Day’ set up in 1972. The seeds of a full week dedicated to te reo Māori were planted in 1974. By 1975 Te Wiki had found its footing and was off! Its growth and gains are what we celebrate 50 years on.
Find activities to celebrate 50 years and a wide range of resources here. |
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Ethnic, former Refugee and Migrant researcher Tautoko session
We are pleased to invite you to our next EfRM Tautoko session.
Friday, 10 October 2025, 12noon – 1.30pm
We have teamed up with Annie Chiang and Prof Rachel Simon-Kumar (University of Auckland) to host a participatory research session about Ethnic Data Sovereignty. This session contributes to a study being progressed by Rachel and Annie with further details about participation, the study and what is involved available on the event registration page. Register here.
Please note that session attendance is by registration only with spaces for 35 participants. We will also host a further repeat session if there is more interest than we have capacity for.
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Ethnic Data Sovereignty: What are the issues?
Presenters/Facilitators: Annie Chiang and Rachel Simon-Kumar ‘Data Sovereignty’ describes the right to decide how data relating to individuals or communities are collected, accessed, managed, interpreted, used, and reused. This concept and associated frameworks were developed by indigenous scholars to assert their right to self-determination and to respond to misuse of indigenous data. In New Zealand, there is a growing body of scholarship on Māori Data Sovereignty and Pacific Data Sovereignty. Our study aims to explore what data sovereignty might mean and look like for Asian, MELAA, ethnic, migrant and former refugee communities. In this participatory session, we provide a background to our study and the current literature on sovereignty issues for minority and marginalised populations within European and Anglophone contexts. Following this, we invite attendees to participate in our guided questions related to data considerations within their respective spheres. Using a Miro Board, session participants can engage in a discussion on some of the more topical and concerning issues to do with data for and about ethnic communities.
What is an ethnic, former refugee, and migrant researchers online Tautoko session? Ethnic, former refugee, and migrant researcher Tautoko sessions provide a dynamic informal space that fosters a collective sense of shared purpose with opportunities to learn from each other, share stories, experiences, research activities, methodologies, challenges, gaps and explore ideas and opportunities. We celebrate all forms of community-led knowledge-making, whether it's community-based mahi and mātauranga, or based within organisations, the public service, or academia. If you are developing or an ally of 'by community for community' learnings, we value your thoughts and contributions and want you to be part of our research network. |
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| | Past Tautoko session for LGBTTQIA+ Mahi and Research Communities
Last month Community Research hosted another great session of folks across many organisations and spaces in LGBTTQIA+ communities coming together to discuss their mahi, their research, and some of the issues we're seeing in our communities.
We're setting up a mailing list dedicated to this developing mahi, so if you're interested, please pop into this survey and add your email on the first question. We'll use the list to keep folks updated on upcoming tautoko sessions and how the special collection work is evolving. If you have time, there's also optional questions on page two of the survey which will help steer the next steps of our work - including topics of interest for future conversations and resources. Thank you to all who have been participating in this mahi, we hugely value your time and thoughts! |
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We have now added closed captions to two of our webinars from earlier this year.
Unpacking the Community Research Code of Practice
This webinar was jointly hosted by the Aotearoa Migration Research Network (AMRN) and Community Research. 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. Bev provides an overview of the Code and introduces mahi that Community Research are planning to scope and progress.
On the road again: the Tāhono Belonging Conversations, Aotearoa 2025
2025 marks the third round of Belonging Conversations, a nationwide series of conversations held by Inclusive Aotearoa Collective (Tāhono) exploring shifts in belonging and inclusion for different communities and people across Aotearoa. In this webinar hear from the Tāhono team about their 2025 sessions, highlighting emergent and recurring themes of and barriers to belonging in Aotearoa. They reflect on how experiences of belonging have changed since the project began and consider how these conversations and stories can help build and strengthen social cohesion across the country.
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Looking Ahead: Future Trends in Social Service Delivery Report
This report, published by SociaLink Tūhono Pāpori Charitable Trust, looks at the trends that are likely to affect the social service sector over the next 15 years, when it will be 2040, the 200-year anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In fifteen years’ time, what will the social sector look like? How will we be working? What challenges will we face? What can we do now to work effectively and prepare for the future? As the world around us is changing at breakneck speed, there is no doubt that there will be many changes and demands affecting the social service sector.
The purpose of this piece is to better enable for-purpose organisations to front foot and take advantage of developments and prepare for the future.
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The im/possibility of home: Chinese queer international students’ homing experiences in New Zealand
Le Cui & Lin Song
This paper explores the experiences of Chinese queer international students in New Zealand as they leave behind a heteronormative past home and seek a new queer home and future. Departing from conventional conceptions of ‘home’ as a static location or predetermined condition, this paper adopts ‘homing’ as a theoretical concept to capture the ongoing, processual, and often incomplete formation of home. By capturing Chinese queer international students’ feelings of displacement and their ongoing negotiations with both their country of origin and the host society, this paper highlights homing as an embodied, non-linear, and continuous process shaped by transnational power structures and intersecting identities, including sexuality, ethnicity, citizenship, and migration status.
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| | Māori Wards – Facts
Māori wards and constituencies create dedicated seats for Māori representation in local government — much like Māori electorates in Parliament — ensuring Māori voices and perspectives are part of local decision-making. Only those on the Māori electoral roll can vote for candidates in these wards, giving effect to representation that is grounded in democratic choice (Vote Local).
This year, the future of Māori wards will be decided through referendums held alongside the 2025 local elections. These votes will determine whether Māori wards are retained or removed in each district or region. The choice is ours — and it is a chance to stand up for equity, representation, and the commitments of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Decide Together Thrive Together |
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| | Policy for the Public Good: A Local Government Resource Guide
WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand has put together Policy for the Public Good: A Local Government Resource Guide to share policies, case studies and a greater understanding of the value of local governance.
Download this free resource here |
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Mana Māori Motuhake – Māori rights and representation
2025 marks three landmark anniversaries in the political history of Aotearoa:
- 50 years since the Māori Land March,
- 50 years since the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal,
- 50 years of the Māori electoral roll option.
Find links to online resources, and for those in Pōneke, check out the special series of free public film screenings being held at the National Library which will reflect on the kaupapa Mana Māori Motuhake – Māori Rights and Representation.
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AUT Impact
The AUT impact conversation series brings you expert knowledge, critical thought and diverse perspectives to the biggest issues facing our communities and our country.
Titles so far include:
- What is our region’s most important policy challenge (and what is the solution)?
- Machines vs the mind: AI and creativity
- Declining trust and the threats to our democracy
Available on demand here
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| | 'Tūhono Impact' is now live
Created by Powerdigm, Tūhono Impact is an open-source resource, completely FREE to use. It’s designed to help organisations across Aotearoa understand, track and show their social impact, on their own terms.
Whether you’re just getting started or refining what you already do, you can move through the site in a way that suits you. Start at the beginning or jump straight to what you need. |
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| | Celebrate 50 Years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: Lunchtime Webinar Series !
The past 50 years tracks a powerful legacy of activism, growth and aroha for te reo Māori. Across five days, tune in to hear from leading experts discussing kaupapa ranging from the origins of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori to the future of te reo in the age of AI. Bring your pātai, don't miss this chance to reflect, learn, and be part of the next chapter for te reo Māori 🌿📖
Āhea?
🎙️ 15 September 12PM - 50 years together: The Waitangi Tribunal and Te Wiki
🎙️ 16 September 12PM - From a day to a week - Where Te Wiki began
🎙️ 17 September 12PM - Te Reo Māori and AI
🎙️ 18 September 12PM - Learning your language as Māori
🎙️ 19 September 12PM - Tiki, trademarks, tiakarete and Te Wiki
For more information on each webinar, and to register 🔗 |
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Women's Day of Action
Further protest against the Pay Equity Amendment Bill 2025 will be held on the 20th September, 132 years and one day after women secured the right to vote. Women’s Day of action is a way for everyone and anyone to stand up in support of the more than 182,000 people who would have benefited from pay equity claims.
This Day of Action is more than protest – it is a celebration of the women who nurture, lead, and resist. It honours the suffrage legacy and amplifies our collective power to shape the future. It is a moment for all who love and support women to show their solidarity. Wear purple, green, and white to honour the Aotearoa suffrage flower – the camellia – and show up!
Events are planned for across the motu, with details for the location and time to meet for a few locations still to be announced.
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Threads of Us - In Person Workshop
Join Adhikaar Aotearoa for a collective envisioning of what thriving looks like for ethnic queers through a collaborative Kantha embroider workshop.
Facilitated by Artist, Sahana Rahman and Researcher, Cayathri Divakalala
Tuesday, 23rd September, 6pm-9pm
Event Address: 13 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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What makes an effective crisis response?
Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission recently released a crisis response literature scan examining international and Aotearoa evidence on crisis responses, providing insight into which aspects of crisis responses are most effective.
Join their webinar exploring key principles of an effective crisis response system, with panelists offering real-world examples of effective crisis response practice.
Wednesday, 24 September, 9am-10am
The session will include a Q&A panel with opportunities to submit questions during the webinar.
This forms part of their ongoing programme of work examining effective crisis response systems. Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission will be reporting on this work later in 2025, with a monitoring report and expect these findings to inform future service design and improvements. |
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| | Rainbow Diversity and How to Be a Supportive Ally Free interactive educational groups to learn about rainbow diversity and practical tips and resources on how to be a supportive ally. These online educational sessions are ideal for people who want to increase their understanding and learn ways to promote healthy inclusive environments for rainbow people in New Zealand through interactive discussions. Sexual Orientation and Attraction
Thursday 18 September, 12.15pm - 1.15pm Gender Minorities
Thursday 25th September, 12.15pm - 1.15pm Intersex and VSC People
Thursday 2nd October, 12.15pm - 1.15pm Supporting Rainbow Relationships
Thursday 9th October, 12.15pm - 1.15pm Creating Safe Spaces for Rainbow People
Thursday 16th October, 12.15pm - 1.15pm
Attend the whole series, or choose which sessions you'd like to attend. Register here
These interactive sessions will also provide an opportunity to ask questions, share information and connect with others. Participants can actively participate or stay anonymous with their camera off (although participation is encouraged). Sessions and registration details are private and confidential. By attending, participants must agree to keep attendee's details and stories that are shared confidential. |
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Webinar: Lotteries Statement of Intent and Outcomes Framework
Join PNZ and DIA for a special webinar event to learn all about Hāpai Hapori Community Operations' new Lottery Outcomes Framework and how this informs funding decisions.
Friday, 3 October, 12pm - 1pm
Free to all. Register here
Free PNZ Webinar Event - the new Lottery Outcomes Framework and how it will inform funding decisions. Particularly of interest for NGOs who may be making an application for the November round and funders (particularly those who are co-funding).
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| | The Volunteering Changemakers HuiVolunteering New Zealand’s annual conference is a key development opportunity for those leading volunteers. Volunteer managers are changemakers across communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Topics will include volunteer management and practice, valuing volunteering, and new approaches to volunteer engagement. The Volunteering Changemakers Hui is for volunteer managers, leaders of volunteers and those who run organisations that work through a volunteer workforce. You will: Be inspired by a range of practitioners and thought leaders Increase your capability to influence, collaborate, and lead others Learn how to engage effectively with volunteers using best practice Connect with peers, share, and learn together.
The Volunteering Changemakers Hui is being held at the Grand Millennium Hotel, central Auckland, on Friday 10 October 2025. More information and tickets here |
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| | Indigenous Futures International Conference 2025 -
"Indigenous futures unbound: Reimagining Indigenous futures through knowledge and praxis"Registrations are still open 4-7 November 2025
Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
More information here |
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| | Advancing Equity: Social determinants in Migrant and Refugee Health Research Symposium
The AUT Migrant and Refugee Health Research Centre (MRHRC) and the New Zealand Policy Research Institute (NZPRI) are excited to co-host a research symposium focused on advancing equity in migrant and refugee health through the lens of social determinants.
Friday 21 November 2025, AUT North Campus
Registrations are open here |
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| | 'Te Tiriti Based Futures + Anti-Racism 2026'
📅Save the date: 21-26th March 2026
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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. |
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