far north thrive expo 2015 booklet
DESCRIPTION
Profiles of the 24 participants in the 2015 Thrive programme and their ideas for helping the Far North to thrive socially, environmentally and economically. The programme was run in partnership between the Ākina Foundation and the Far North District Council, supported by Foundation North funding.TRANSCRIPT
Showcasing emerging social enterprises to help the Far North thrive
E X P Othrivefar north
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Far North Thrive Participants 2015Alan & Yvonne Robinson
Whangaroa Reforestation 6
Ashley Holwell Whare Bike 6
Cheryl Toka Te Hiku Food Hub 7
Darl Tana Wawata Ao Marama 7
David Silberstein The Dialogue 8
Estee Rapatini Nga Kainga Mahana 8
Harko Brown Te Mara Hupara 9
Jackie Thompson North Hokianga Food Co-operative 9
Jamie Emery Kamp Kaitiaki 12
Jean Martin Project Pukemoho & Hokianga ki te Raki Tourism 12
Jeff Griggs Re-localising Northland’s Food 13
Jenni Kerr Artisan Beekeeping Co-op 13
Jessica Tuckerman Wawata Ao Marama 7
Jo Lumkong My Green Eye 14
John Maxwell Russell Recycling & Waste Management 14
Kathryn White Science in Communities 15
Kevin Rasmussen Organic Home Food Production 15
Melanie CatanutoHua ParakorePainting & DecoratingYUP I Can
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Mike Shaw The Kaikohe Co-operative 17
Monica Tautau Evolve Alternative Education 17
Murray Lay Safe Havenz 18
Ramona Cording Sew and Grow 18
Terry Jones Whare Bike 6
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The Thrive ProgrammeFar North Thrive is a four-month development programme for individuals with social enterprise ideas. Through face-to-face workshops and coaching calls, the 24 participants have been learning about social enterprise, how to start a successful social enterprise, and developing their leadership and business skills.
Thrive has been specially designed for Far North communities and delivered in partnership by the Ākina Foundation and the Far North District Council, with Foundation North funding support.
The programme is about growing a thriving, innovative, and sustainable social enterprise sector in Northland. In particular, the participants have:
- Gained an understanding of whether their social enterprise idea is feasible
- Learnt a range of skills and tools to take their idea forward
- Created a compelling business plan or expanded and tested their idea
- Increased in confidence and capability and built connections within the local emerging social enterprise network.
The individuals and teams have a diverse range of backgrounds and experience but all share one thing in common – they have an idea to improve a community in the Far North, care deeply about their community and wants to make positive and lasting change.
The Expo is designed to showcase their hard work, share learnings from the journey and provide an opportunity for new supporters to get involved.
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With Far North Thrive, we have set out to support 24 people on a journey to explore social enterprise and discover their way.
Throughout the four months, punctuated by workshops in Kerikeri, Rawene, Kaitaia and Kaeo, everyone has worked hard – this has not been a passive experience. And they are now on their way to turning their ideas into reality.
These are talented and passionate people and they have strengthened their skills and confidence to make a positive difference. They also now have each other – they are part of a growing social enterprise network in the Far North.
Undoubtedly, there will be challenges ahead – developing an organisation that is viable and impactful is no mean feat. But the work will be worthwhile. I am excited about the future of social enterprise in New Zealand.
Alex Hannant CEO, Ākina Foundation
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Far North District Council is proud to be part of the first Thrive programme with Ākina Foundation.
Many communities in New Zealand’s Far North face social and economic challenges but it is also a region of breathtaking beauty and rich natural resources. It has passionate and active people who understand the challenges and opportunities in the region.
So who is better placed than these locals to kickstart enterprises that solve social or environmental problems while helping their communities prosper?
I challenge the wider community to find a way, big or small, they can contribute to taking these ideas forward. By investing in people, by building capability and confidence in communities, we will find solutions to help us thrive.
John Carter Mayor, Far North District
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Whare Bike takes unwanted bikes from the community and provides tools, parts, and expertise to allow people to turn them into their own valuable transport means. Over the past two years, Whare Bike has given away more than 100 bicycles, and taught countless people how to fix their own bikes. They are part of the Wood Community Space.
Ash seeks: Personnel support as mechanics and workshop managers Administrative support Funding to cover rent.
Contact: Ash on 022 1517 305 or [email protected]
Waterways carry debris from eroding hills and farmland, damaging natural ecosystems, exacerbating floods and polluting the harbour. The Robinsons aim to help landowners plan the planting of their streams and other non-productive land and encourage management of swamps to help ‘cleaning’ water. They hope to create jobs by establishing local teams for fencing, planting, weed and pest control and growing the plants in partnership with training providers and employment agencies.
Alan and Yvonne seek: Connections with training providers Nursery connections to provide plants An acre of sheltered land with water to grow plants.
Contact: Alan and Yvonne on 09 405 0688 or [email protected]
Alan and Yvonne Robinson are farmers in the Kaeo river catchment, keen to reduce flooding in the town and siltation in the area by planting riparian and marginal land, and encouraging other landowners to do the same.
WHANGAROAREFORESTATION
Ash Holwell is an artist and bike mechanic who fell in love with bicycles while living in the Netherlands. He fell into a few community bike workshops while in Austria and has spent the past two years working with the people of Whangarei.
WHARE BIKE A Community Bicycle
Workshop
Whare Bike is working with Ride Cycle and is being supported by CBEC (Terry Jones) and Manaia PHO.
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Food, Farms and Freshwater is developing a market solution to financially support and reward New Zealand farmers for meeting swimmable and fishable water quality objective
Te Hiku Food Hub is a community enterprise set up to revitalize the production of healthy food in the Far North. It co-ordinates the distribution of organic and ‘spray-free’ produce from local growers and community gardens, to customers and charitable organisations. It also arranges for surplus produce to be turned into value-added artisan foods. Te Hiku Food Hub believes “healthy soils, healthy people”.
Cheryl seeks: Administration and short-term labour costs for set up phase Horticultural advisor fees Seed, plant stock, tools and materials for community gardens.
Contact: Cheryl on 0274 305 840 or [email protected]
Jess and Darl believe connected communities are healthy communities and have been inspired by the volume of traditional and contemporary creative knowledge in the Far North. Wawata Ao Marama aims to create commercial opportunities for creative practitioners with profit used for professional development workshops, developing community creative spaces, and providing programme funding for local communities. Jess has bought land at Kawakawa for this initiative.
Jessica and Darl seek: People interested in building up the small section of land in Kawakawa as a pilot
project space Website design and development, plus computer training space, with internet
access Arts partners and creative practitioners.
Contact: Jessica on 0204 036 8521 or Darl on 0211 820 372 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Wawata.Ao.Marama
Cheryl Toka is a naturopath and herbalist with extensive experience in market gardening, community gardens and food co-ops. She is a supporter of fair trade and organic farmers, an environmentalist and a passionate organic home gardener.
TE HIKU FOOD HUB
WAWATA AO MARAMA
A Creative Industries Professional
Development Agency
Jessica Tuckerman is a public librarian with 10 years experience in arts, events and marketing. She is passionate about community spaces, creativity and culture. Darl Tana has a social work degree, experience in mentoring and is a trustee on marae and other committees. Darl is passionate about whanau support and community connections.
‘Matariki Sprinkling Stars’ by Christchurch-based artist, Ira Mitchell-Kirk
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In the Far North, many whanau live in overcrowded, unhealthy, substandard living conditions, linked to serious health problems such as rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, mental illness and meningitis. Many whanau want to return to their homeland, but developing housing on Māori freehold land is challenging. This initiative creates opportunities for whanau to form partnerships to develop and support other community groups to develop sustainable housing for the benefit of the Far North.
Estee seeks: Kaumatua to assist with tikanga, people with knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Whanau trusts and community groups with an interest in papakainga and
sustainable housing and permaculture Provider of ecological features, recyclable materials Architects, designers, builders and funders.
Contact: Estee on 021 1144 093 or [email protected]
The Dialogue is a structured conversation that creates a safe space for emotionally charged family issues to be authentically talked about, creating new understandings and perspectives to emerge, free from blame and judgment. The Dialogue supports self-responsibility and accountability and helps the family create new agreements for aligned action. David is committed to changing the way families interact thereby reducing family stress and violence.
David seeks: Experts in crowd-funding, website design and social media Funding to reach 100% of counsellors, social workers, whanau workers and
mental health workers to teach them how to facilitate The Dialogue with their clients throughout New Zealand.
Contact: David on 027 270 5704 or [email protected]
David Silberstein is committed to enhancing family harmony through communication that creates common understanding. He has designed and facilitated training for Corrections and CYF and has a Master’s degree in social work. He lives in Kohukohu.
THE DIALOGUE
Estee Rapatini is passionate about growing healthy sustainable whanau, part of a healthy sustainable community and country. This starts on the whenua, in healthy homes, with rebuilt whanau connections and encouraging tamariki to be all they can be.
NGA KAINGA MAHANA
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Harko is passionate about nga taonga takaro (traditional Māori games) and their contemporary uses as resources in education and sport. One aro-takaro is the hupara, a sawn and decorated log. Hupara in gardens, parks, gullies and reserves create linger points to increase the use and appreciation of these places. They bring benefits to a community through promoting exercise like tai’chi or children’s playgrounds, as places of contemplation or outdoor classrooms, for picnics or telling stories, and gives artists opportunities to publicise their talent.
Harko seeks: Funding for or donation of 20 hupara and paint for their decoration Installation and signage in a Far North community garden Workshop bookings by district councils, government departments and
community leaders.
Contact: Harko on 021 113 8164 or [email protected]
Food, Farms and Freshwater is developing a market solution to financially support and reward New Zealand farmers for meeting swimmable and fishable water quality objective
The North Hokianga Food Co-operative is a collaborative network that integrates sustainable hapu-led food production ventures with local processing, distribution and consumption in order to enhance the economic and social health of the takiwa. A ‘Hokianga food hub’ will secure the local food system for the future, increasing access to fresh healthy food for whanau and helping provide wider access to markets for producers. It is designed to benefit all North Hokianga whanau. The first major venture is development of a local abattoir to process meat.
Jackie seeks: Technical advice and help developing a Risk Management Plan Legal/financial planning advice for ideal co-operative structure Kick-start financial support.
Contact: Jackie on 021 162 7194 or [email protected] 77 Te Huahua Road, RD1, Kohukohu, 0453
Harko Brown is the Director of KaiMatariki Charitable Trust, charged with getting people active and involved with cultural spaces and traditional recreation. Harko consults for and speaks at sports trusts, marae, health organisations and universities. He has an Honour’s degree in social sciences and Master’s in sports and leisure studies.
TE MARA HUPARA
Hupara Gardens
NORTH HOKIANGA FOOD
CO-OPERATIVE
After 30 years living in the community, it was attending a community development workshop at Motuti Marae in 2013 that prompted Jackie Thompson to act. She saw an opportunity to help the North Hokianga survive economically, environmentally, socially, culturally and to improve health and wellbeing.
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grounding provocative
fun
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connectionrevealing
motivating fun
inspiring
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Kamp Kaitiaki is an idea in response to a lack of opportunities for youth, particularly those living rurally and from low socio-economic backgrounds. Kamp Kaitiaki offers a safe weekend away for youth to engage respectfully with one another and co-create programmes and activities around the issues that affect them in Doubtless Bay. The goal is to help develop young adults who are more connected and engaged in the future community, who can manage themselves, support one another and protect the environment.
Jamie seeks: Programme designers, youth facilitators and programme ideas already working
well for youth Camp venue for weekends Funding to assist with camps and sponsors for students who need it.
Contact: Jamie on 0210794209 or [email protected]
Jean wants to create sustainable employment opportunities using local skills and natural resources and to provide good quality affordable housing. Her vision is: “to build our community to enable our people to return home to live and work on the land left to us by our tupuna”. She has developed Project Pukemoho and Hokianga Ki Te Raki Tourism (formerly Motuti Tourism). A tourism venture will be relaunched with a new name and new website in September.
Jean seeks: Advice on becoming a housing provider, marketing and tourism Support at local, regional and central government levels Funding for wages, marketing, office overheads.
Contact: Jean on 09 408 1321, 09 4095 545, 020 4025 0626 or [email protected] www.motuti.co.nz
Jamie Emery is a youth mentor. She is studying for a Bachelor of Applied Social Work to be in better position to serve and support the youth who reside in the Doubtless Bay and immediate rural area.
KAMP KAITIAKI
Jean Martin has been active in her community’s development since 2005. She is passionate about helping to repopulate and rebuild her community. Jean is adamant that they can’t rely on others and while they lack money, they have the natural resources, skills and ability to help themselves.
PROJECT PUKEMOHO &
HOKIANGA KI TE RAKI TOURISM
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Northland’s food systems have become unsustainable with local-growing decimated and supermarkets dominating. People often travel long distances to access food, plus rely on over-processed foods leaving them under-nourished with rises in preventable disease. They want to establish community led-sustainable food systems for Northland that will produce, add value, market and distribute locally grown nutritious food, supporting the health of the community and economy while looking after the environment.
Jeff seeks: Access to surplus infrastructure including buildings and land Training in horticulture, small business development and food safety Mentoring and financial support (loans, grants, micro-finance) for small business
start ups and to establish staff, infrastructure and training Support for healthy food demonstrations and sourcing local fresh food for
hospital meals Involvement of farmers’ markets, co-ops and marae to support food distribution.
Contact: Jeff on 09 435 1759 or [email protected] or PO Box 890, Whangarei
Food, Farms and Freshwater is developing a market solution to financially support and reward New Zealand farmers for meeting swimmable and fishable water quality objective
Artisan Beekeeping Co-op is about caring for bees and the community so both may thrive. They’re developing an enabling model: resilient against production and market challenges; sharing information, talents, resources to make hives affordable; learning best care for bees; starting with several hives and a mentor to gain skills. They’re researching niche markets to build the community and circulate wealth within it over the long term.
Jenni seeks: Timber suitable for hives Supply colonies of bees Mentors to support beginners and people keen to join a beekeeping co-op.
Contact: Jenni on 09 409 5582, 027 274 0234 or [email protected]
Jeff has a background in strategic planning, group facilitation, project implementation, relationship management, sustainability advocacy, and coaching collaborative leadership at regional and central government, and local community levels.
RE-LOCALISING NORTHLAND’S
FOOD
ARTISAN BEEKEEPING
CO-OP
“I love keeping bees,” says Jenni Kerr of North Hokianga. “Beehives are the original social enterprise! By co-operating, our local economy can begin buzzing like a good beehive.” So Jenni is developing a co-operative model of artisan beekeeping, resilient against production and market challenges.
Jenni’s husband Shem showing visitors the inner
workings of a beehive.
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Following the Far North District Council’s call for Zero Waste in the Far North, John Maxwell was inspired to investigate the possibility of a community-owned and operated waste management and recycling business for the Russell Peninsula.
With the help of Kaitaia’s CBEC, they were on track to create a worthwhile community enterprise but the waste management contract was granted elsewhere. So John and his small band of dedicated Russell volunteers have decided to go it alone.
John seeks: More volunteers who can see the potential A suitable site with three phase power Finance for a small truck and trailer, two-side opening shipping containers, a
press capable of compacting bales of recyclable material. Contact: John on 09 403 7178 or [email protected]
My Green Eye grew out of Jo’s desire to source unique and innovative design products. The central philosophy is that collaborative, creative communities will enable Northland to realise its greater potential. Often creative practitioners and manufacturers are separated by distance, creative differences or competing business structures – My Green Eye is about economies of scale. Her vision is to create a recognised, quality local brand to be sold on the national and international market creating alternative revenue streams for existing business, employment opportunities and adding value to natural resources.
Jo seeks: Connections with local manufacturers, makers and artists interested in
participating in collaborative, creative experimentation Mentorship or assistance with scalable business modelling, systems design,
distribution, export and marketing.
Contact: Jo on 027 267 3688 or [email protected]
Jo Lumkong is an artist and designer with 15+ years’ practical experience in the USA and NZ. From her home in Kerikeri, she collaborates with local artists, makers and manufacturers to design interiors, jewellery, home decor and furniture products.
MY GREEN EYE
The driving force behind the plan is John Maxwell, a resident of Russell for more than 35 years. John kick-started this idea two years ago at a Russell Future Plan meeting. He wants to see a community-owned and operated waste management and recycling business.
RUSSELL RECYCLING AND WASTE
MANAGEMENT
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An ERO report (May 2012) found that only three out of 100 schools surveyed had science programmes that were considered highly effective, while less than two-thirds were considered partially effective. The main goal of Science InC is to improve STEM education in Northland primary schools – it recognises learning to be scientists is more than just learning science. Science InC plans loaner lab programmes, teacher workshops, fully packaged STEM study modules, and increasing Citizen Science in local communities.
Kathryn seeks support for phase one of the loaner lab programme, More Than Meets the Eye, with funding needed for five schools to participate in Zebrafish Embryology Study: 20 dissecting microscopes ($5,000) Five fish tanks, with equipment and fish ($400/tank) Travel costs.
Contact: Kathryn on 022 601 8621 or [email protected]
Food, Farms and Freshwater is developing a market solution to financially support and reward New Zealand farmers for meeting swimmable and fishable water quality objective
There is no dedicated community education in organic home food production in the Far North. Kevin has found there are many people who want to grow their own food organically and sustainably, but don’t have skill, lack confidence or just can’t enrol on a full time course. Kevin hopes to provide a month-to-month service to growing your own food in the Far North that anybody can join no matter the circumstances, whether they are full time workers or with young families on a budget. Seasonal fresh produce – even on the home scale – provides food security, sustainability and health benefits.
Kevin seeks: Financial assistance for transport Participants/supporters.
Contact: Kevin on 09 405 7654 or [email protected] Rainbow Hills Sustainable Futures Trust, PO Box 126, Rawene 0443
Kathryn White is a marine, estuarine and environmental researcher passionate about teaching science. She has taught students from preschool up to university, designed and delivered workshops for teachers and implemented a biotech loaner lab in the U.S. Kathryn has been working with Russell School to improve STEM education.
SCIENCE IN COMMUNITIES
ORGANIC HOME FOOD
PRODUCTION
Kevin Rasmussen of the Rainbow Hills Sustainable Futures Trust has a passion to help people grow their own healthy organic food. Kevin has been teaching organic horticulture in the mainstream tertiary education system for the past 10 years.
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Ngati Rangi Development Society CEO Melanie Catanuto is working with a team to progress three ideas to strengthen the region.
NGATI RANGI DEVELOPMENT
SOCIETY INCORPORATED
Melanie returned home to NZ in 2008 when her father died and rediscovered the underlying beauty and issues in Northland. Her father had explained that one day she would apply her life’s learnings to help her people prosper. At the time she didn’t understand but since becoming CEO at Ngati Rangi, has put her professional experience as an accountant and fund and asset manager to work.
Melanie is working with a diverse team across the three ideas, including Te Iwi Puihi Tipene, Michael Manuel, Boydie Simeon, Robert Downing, Doug Arneil, Monti and Mark Tito, Mike Shaw, Mike and Ellen Bennett, and Naine Heremaia.
HUA PARAKORE
Supplying the local community with kai (food) and rongoa (medicine) via native seedling production for riparian planting
PAINTING & DECORATING
Providing a local and quality painting and decorating service to local schools, council and homes in Northland, plus helping employee students
YUP I CANAn evidence-based app that showcases individuals’ skills, not just formal qualifications, and brings CVs to life.
Melanie seeks: Seed funding and phase one and two funding Writer for the business plan Marketing expertise IT app developer and web developer Lawyer – contract and IP.
Contact: Melanie on 09 215 0778, 021 674 644 or [email protected]
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When floods took out SH1 south of Kawakawa in 2014, the region came within hours of a state of emergency and food rationing. Local growers and suppliers haven’t kept up with international alliances. The Kaikohe Co-operative seeks to change that by growing and supplying local food that is fresher, higher quality, healthier, competitively priced, creates employment, keeps dollars in the community and builds community resilience. Starting with food and local milk deliveries, the model has the potential to transform the economic fortunes of the town into a prosperous and thriving community in control of its future.
Mike seeks: Growers to participate, marketing advice, and experts for the start-up board Consumer shareholders to pilot the start-up phase Start-up capital.
Contact: Mike on 021 084 2302 or [email protected]
Food, Farms and Freshwater is developing a market solution to financially support and reward New Zealand farmers for meeting swimmable and fishable water quality objective
Tim and Monica have teamed up with a qualified teacher, and together they are all united in their passion to provide a teaching alternative for youngsters who have been excluded from the mainstream education system for varying reasons. They recognise that some children are out-of-the-box thinkers and engage with learning through a more kinaesthetic style of teaching, using all the senses. They aim to significantly raise literacy levels within Muriwhenua and help young people of the Far North to have dreams and goals for their future.
Monica seeks: Business mentoring and advice about setting up an alternative education
programme Funding for expansion.
Contact: Monica on 021 087 53177, Tim on 021 717 633 or [email protected]
Mike Shaw is a church leader in Kaikohe. He’s passionate about community transformation and resilience and is motivated by Zechariah 1:17 – ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity’.
THE KAIKOHE CO-OPERATIVE
EVOLVE ALTERNATIVE
EDUCATION
Monica and Tim Tautau are the people behind Evolve. Tim is a youth worker, builder, beekeeper, land cultivator and assistant director by trades. Monica is a youth worker, social worker and restaurant maker. They believe Knowledge + Awhi = Freedom.
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Sew and Grow is a social enterprise idea designed to teach anyone, from ages 8 to 80, to sew. Classes for youth, adolescents and adults will be aimed at growing skills and confidence in self sufficient fashion and design. Teaching teenagers is a big focus as it is an important self awareness age; giving them the ability to craft skills they can apply directly to their lives can empower a sense of achievement.
Ramona seeks: Donated sewing machines and tools Support with starting up OSCAR programmes and teaching in schools Funding for renting a Kaeo building with potential for a Sewing Cafe and onsite
workshop and gallery.
Contact: Ramona on 021 078 4358 or [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/sewgrow
Every province throughout NZ is challenged by a campervan boom (numbers increasing by 20,000 per annum) and with that comes health and safety of campers and waste issues. They wish to provide safe, privately-owned, overnight parking for foreign campervan tourists within Safe Havenz regions with a network of small, quality, privately-owned properties. They are developing a manual to set standards for individual Safe Havenz operators. For a small fee, operators will gain passive incomes from their lifestyle farmlets and seaside properties offering tourists a unique NZ experience.
Murray seeks: Safe Havenz member properties to join including rural, seaside, riverside,
harbour, forest edge, walking track locality, marae, special gardens District and regional council contacts Tourism New Zealand contact to demonstrate the value of these tourism
opportunities.
Contact: Murray on 021 268 1413, 09 408 4968 or [email protected]
Murray and Serafina Lay have been developing their own five acre Safe Haven park and garden on the outskirts of Kaitaia for the past 10 years and now wish to share it as an overnight experience - an Air BnB for campervans at private properties.
SAFE HAVENZ
Ramona Cording is a self-taught fashion designer who is passionate about keeping the tradition of teaching teenagers how to sew alive and well in the Far North. She has been prompted to act after learning sewing technology is no longer a subject in most high schools around NZ.
SEW AND GROW
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Te Aroha
Te arohaTe whakapono
Me te rangimarieTatou tatou e
Te arohaTe whakapono
Me te rangimarieTatou tatou e
Love
Faith
And peace
Be amongst us all
Far North Thrive ExpoFriday 21 August 2015 Kerikeri RSA
3.00-3.15pm Welcome
3.15-3.45pm Speeches
3.45pm-4.00pmOverview of participants
4.00-5.00pmMeet the teams, networking and refreshments
5.00-6.00pm Open to public
akina.org.nzph 04 384 9676 [email protected]
For more info about Thrive: