http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz en-us Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:13:56 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168626/webinar-home-truths--what-the-data-is-really-telling-us-about-housing/ We’re excited to be hosting a webinar with Alan Johnson, co-author (with Campbell Roberts) of the Salvation Army's recently released Home Truths report.It’s a genuinely sharp piece of work — cutting through a lot of the noise to show what’s actually driving housing outcomes in New Zealand. Affordability pressures, supply issues, who’s missing out, and why — it’s all there, clearly laid out.What makes this session particularly useful is that it won’t stay at the national... Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:08:50 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168626 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168557/social-investment-in-new-zealand/ Social Investment emerged as a formal approach in New Zealand in 2016, introduced by the government to address the country’s social and economic challenges through a shift from short-term, reactive solutions to proactive, long-term investment in people. This strategy aims to enhance outcomes for individuals and communities by focusing on sustainable improvements over immediate fixes. Over the years, the concept has grown and is now championed nationally by the Social Investment Agency (SIA).Wh... Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:19:43 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168557 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168006/additional-trustee-call-for-expression-of-interest/ In February this year, Wellbeing Waikato was established as a Charitable Trust. Our Deed sets out the key governance principles and structures that guide the trust and can be seen here.The Deed sets out the rules for trustees, including their number, term and the process for selecting new trustees. The trust must have a minimum of three trustees, and a maximum of seven. The trust was established with three trustees, Delwyn Abraham (Chair), Mike Rolton and Don Scarlet.The trustees want to seek ad... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:22:55 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168006 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168005/affordable-housing/ Wellbeing Waikato (and previously Wellbeing Waikato Project) has been actively involved in improving housing affordability since 2021. We have supported regional leadership groups such as the Waikato Housing Initiative to better understand the current situation through a housing dashboard and a stocktake of the current number of homes being built, compared to the projected future demand.In 2025, we further explored the current state of affordability in the region in a report “Hiding in Plain S... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:16:34 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168005 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168004/affordable-energy/ Along with kai security and housing affordability, energy (and more particularly electricity) affordability is a key factor which influences household budgets daily. While the rapid increase in fossil fuel prices since February has made ICE vehicle fuelling more expensive; domestic, commercial and industrial power prices remain a very significant drag on business, community and household prosperity.Data from MBIE and research shared by the Community Energy Network (below, note different time sca... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:08:30 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168004 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168002/social-investment/ Following on from last year’s Social Investment Summit, Wellbeing Waikato has been researching and exploring more deeply what Social Investment is, how it is being applied in New Zealand, its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. This work was a priority in our 2026/27 Business Plan.A paper has now been drafted and is current under review prior to publication. The paper explores the following dimensions:Problem Definition- Why Social Investment?What is Social Investment?Context and Essentia... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:53:36 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168002 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/168001/local-government-reorganisation/ The government has launched a Head Start programme for local government reorganisation. Under the programme two or more territorial and/or unitary authorities can submit an outline proposal to establish a new unitary authority covering part or all of a region. Proposals need to be submitted by 9 August 2026. Councils that do not make  a proposal will be included in a mandatory “backstop” process after the 2028 local government elections. You can read more about the process here.Wellbein... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:47:13 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post168001 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/167999/connect-with-community-waikato/ We are delighted to be partnering with Community Waikato and Free FM and Community Waikato to present a monthly discussion on data and what it means. Every month Harvey will  sit down with Community Waikato CEO Holly Snape, to explore a current topic and look carefully at what the data says, what it means for the Waikato and how people can get involved.You can listen to the stories so far here. A big thanks to Holly for inviting us to join the korero.... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:42:14 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post167999 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/167990/expressions-of-interest-wellbeing-waikato-trustees/ Call for Expressions of Interest: Trustees About Wellbeing Waikato Wellbeing Waikato is an independent charitable trust dedicated to strengthening long-term wellbeing across the Waikato region. Established in February 2026, it builds on the foundations of the Waikato Wellbeing Project. Our vision is simple and enduring: our mokopuna are thriving. At the heart of our work is a belief that better decisions—by government, business, and communities—start with a deeper underst... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:08:29 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post167990 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/post/167173/submission-on-local-government-reform-head-start-programme/ Wellbeing Waikato has submitted to all territorial authorities in the Waikato region regarding their response to the government's Head Start programme. The programme has invited councils to submit different amalgamation options for unitary authorities across the Waikato and New Zealand. Councils that don't submit proposals would enter a 'Back Stop' process where the government decides on a future model instead.At present, all councils in the region are consulting on different model options ... Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:57:46 +1200 http://www.wellbeingwaikato.org.nz/blog/#post167173