We believe in creating inclusive and cohesive communities based on fairness and justice, and recognising the full history that has shaped Aotearoa NZ
We are an indigenous social innovation lab with a focus on designing workable solutions for complex social problems. We do this through collaborating, experimenting, and developing innovative solutions and Indigenous frameworks that achieve the change needed. For almost a decade we have centred our mahi around rangatahi capability building. There has been much learning and adapting along the way and as we pivot to what comes next on our journey we emerge as a highly skilled and professional team with a strong and proven methodology that delivers impact.
We firmly believe in collaboration to shift mindsets and systems.
Pushing for equity and agency for all tamariki and rangatahi navigating their way through our education system. Despite it being one of the most challenging times in the history of our education system, the momentum for a positive shift continues to build. Kokirihia is a collaboration of 24 passionate agencies dedicated to achieving our end goal.
As a learning organisation we are agile, learn fast, and adapt where needed to ensure the best outcomes. We weave Developmental Evaluation into all of our projects.
Our approach to learning and development is woven into the heart of our organisational culture. Using indigenous kaupapa Māori approaches to developmental evaluation we not only prioritise learning in our individual projects, we also create dedicated time to learn together as a whole organisation. Sharing insights across the projects and teams helps us to collectively draw together both practice based and empirical evidence into knowledge and wisdom that strengthen all of our mahi.
We use data and research to inform thinking and shift mindsets. Our mahi in this space is recognised globally.
To create an intergenerational tribal vision for Kāi Tahu looking to 2050 and beyond. We knew the key to its success was capturing whānau voice and ensuring it was at the heart of the vision's development. Data tells us that our iwi has never been so geographically spread, with whānau living in all corners of the world and expressing their Ngāi Tahutaka in their own unique way. Mō Kā Uri involved blending evidence and data, with creativity and collective imagination.
We have developed and utilise a range of Indigenous frameworks dependent on the kaupapa.
Whether you’re departing on a voyage of discovery, beginning a new career, or making changes in your organisation or community, it takes courage to make a new future. Te Korekoreka is a practical guide that can help you examine your present, to learn from your past, imagine a new future, and commit to a deliberate course of action that will enable you to shift from your current reality to a better one.
It is about empowering young people to dream big, imagine futures of their own making and find creative ways to work together to bring to life their shared aspirations.
Anchored in mātauranga Māori, Whiri te Muka Tangata comes from the starting premise that there is no such thing as a “silver bullet” solution for solving complex problems. Instead, this approach offers a strategic, practical, and human process for organisational change built around four interwoven dimensions or whiri, including: kawa (ideas), tikanga (policies), ritenga (practices), and putanga (outcomes).
Te Waiatatanga mai o te Atua tells of how the universe was sung into being. It begins with the various phases of Te Pō (night), Te Ao (day) and Te Kore (the void). From Te Kore comes Te Mākū (dampness) and Māhoranuiatea (the expanse) who gives birth to Raki.
Raki was injured battling Takaroa who was the first husband of Papatūānuku and was clinging closely to her, which meant that the world was a dark and confining space. Raki knew change was needed and asked his sons to kill him so the heavens could be raised: ‘…if I die then the world will gain light and brightness.
Tāne began his karakia to Rehua for strength and worked alongside his younger brother Paia. Tāne used his tokotoko Toko-maunga followed by the tokotoko of Paia, Ruatipua and Ruatawhito.
Once Tāne finished the world became bright and full of potential. Like the tokotoko of Tāne and Paia, the challenge is to raise the ceilings of possibility and create the conditions for new light and potential to emerge.
Ko toko nā wai? Ko toko nā Ruatipua, Ko toko nā wai? Ko toko nā Ruawhito He turuturu, he pīnaki, he papare, he aitutonga, Tēnā toko, tokotoko ka eke, ko toko o tēnei raki
