With the Social Enterprise World Forum just around the corner now, we’re so proud to have some of Ākina Foundation’s very own sharing their expertise. We talked to Alex Hannant, Louise Aitken, Rowan Yeoman, Seán Barnes and Anake Goodall about their events and what they will be talking about. Alex Hannant Chief Executive, Ākina Foundation … Continue Reading →

Website: www.organicediblegarden.co.nz YouTube: Organic Edible Garden Founders: Jan McIntosh and Rob Velseboer   Who is Organic Edible Garden? Organic Edible Garden (OEG) has a core team of two: Jan McIntosh and Rob Velseboer. Jan is an experienced television director and producer, who started her television career at TVNZ. There she created ‘The Palmers Garden Show’, … Continue Reading →

The Rotary Club of Newmarket and the Ākina Foundation have chosen the winner for the Kick-Start Award 2017 prize of $10,000. On the 5th of September, the Rotary Club Newmarket assembled with seven finalists for three-minute pitches in front of the club. With voting based on the financial plan, community impact and how the money … Continue Reading →

  Tripadvisor: The Lifeboat Founder: Richard Mons   What is The Lifeboat? The Lifeboat in Greymouth is about so much more than coffee and stroopwafels. It’s a point of contact for people, a place for people to share philosophies and stories. The Lifeboat NZ was founded by Richard Mons, a Dutchman who came to New … Continue Reading →

According to Darren Walker, the outspoken President of the Ford Foundation at the Global Steering Group meeting (of the Global Impact Investing Network) in Chicago three weeks ago, philanthropy is “stroking the vanity of rich people”, and “the need to scale requires different behaviour.” It’s interesting to hear him speak, because his take on things … Continue Reading →

Zeal is the 2017 winner of the Rotary Club of Wellington Social Enterprise Kick-start, run in conjunction with the Ākina Foundation. Zeal is a family of passionate, creative misfits who believe that every young kiwi is creative and who dedicate their lives to helping them discover, express and develop their unique creativity. Zeal are launching a studio that … Continue Reading →

  Website: GOOD TRAVEL Founders: Eliza Raymond, Shelley Bragg, Heidy Aspilcueta and Caitie Goddard Type: Social Enterprise (Limited Liability Company) Have you ever thought about the social, economic and environmental impact of your travels? It can be easy to forget about sustainability when you’re on holiday in another country. I’m sure many people would be guilty … Continue Reading →

Last week the Prime Minister, Minister Flavell and Minister Ngaro announced a range of actions and investments that Government will be taking to support the growth of social enterprise in New Zealand. $1.85m per year to be exact. Bill English speaking at the Social Enterprise Summit event at Parliament on July 4th 2017 This initiative is … Continue Reading →

Sometimes social enterprises get stuck. This isn’t for lack of trying, nor for lack of good ideas and smarts. In fact, generally social enterprise founders have fantastic ideas and are quite knowledgeable. Social enterprises can be held back by any number of things. This could include lack of advice and support on how to design … Continue Reading →

We are excited to share that AUT Business School has selected us as a finalist for the 2017 AUT Business School Excellence in Business Support Awards in the Not for Profit category. As the only national performance measure for New Zealand business support organisations, the Awards celebrate organisations and individuals that deliver quality products and … Continue Reading →