Kia ora koutou, e hoa mā!
The Ākina Foundation
On a mission to put positive social and environmental outcomes at the heart of how Aotearoa New Zealand does business.
The Ākina tīma has been ki wīwī, ki wāwā (here, there, and everywhere) since the last newsletter.
The team has been busy building connections and sharing insights at several key events. Ākina Chief Executive, Nicola Nation spoke at Social Service Providers Aotearoa Whakamanawa conference on supercharging social investment in Aotearoa. Nicola and Head of Partnerships Tan Huynh also gained valuable insights at the RIAA conference, focusing on the future of responsible investment.
Additionally, Senior Consultant Nick Douglas participated in a Wellington School of Business and Government panel on sustainability, highlighting how businesses can drive social and environmental impact. The team attended a breakfast hosted by the Sustainable Business Council NZ (SBC), where Mark Gough from the Capitals Coalition emphasised the importance of assigning value to measurement to achieve a nature-positive future.
Congratulations to Ākina’s Hannah Gibbs-Harker and Roschelle Marshall, who recently graduated from academyEX, furthering their expertise in social impact. Ākina also published a story in The Post about Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children’s recent changes to how it funds service providers.
Lastly, Ākina wishes to acknowledge and pay tribute to the passing of Kīngi Tūheitia and extends its respects to Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po on her succession.
Keep reading to learn more about the impactful mahi happening across Aotearoa!
Three Key Takeaways from Whakamanawa 2024
Ākina Chief Executive, Nicola Nation, spoke alongside Sir Bill English and Social Investment Agency Interim CE, Dr. Craig Jones at Social Service Providers Aotearoa Whakamanawa 2024. Whakamanawa 2024 was about inspiring, encouraging, and connecting people across the social sector.
Nicola’s takeaways include:
Significant pressures and frustration among providers are causing exhaustion due to funding cuts and policies
Data and collaboration among providers can address common challenges and enhance service delivery
Community involvement is needed, with collaboration with private funders, and long-term social investment.
Read the full insights here.
SROI: Understanding and Attributing Value to Social Outcomes
Attributing financial value to social outcomes is complex. Government contracts typically focus on outputs, not the greater impact or outcomes. With the renewed focus on social investment, organisations may feel pressured to rush into calculating Social Return on Investment (SROI).
True impact measurement starts with understanding the problem you're solving, the outcomes you're achieving, and how these changes ripple into communities. In order to do this, a strong Theory of Change needs to be created before outcomes can be measured.
Learn about meaningful measurement.
Exciting Collaboration for Social Investment!
Ākina's Chief Executive, Nicola Nation, has joined the SEWF - Social Enterprise World Forum C.I.C. Social Investment Working Group, collaborating with experts from around the globe. The group focuses on directing available global capital to impactful interventions for society. Ākina looks forward to this opportunity for growth in the social impact sector!
SEWF is also seeking members with senior experience in social or impact investment based in Africa, the Middle East, and South America. If you or someone you know fits this profile, please submit your interest via the form by 31 October here.
Nicola Nation to Speak at Tourism Summit Aotearoa 2024
Nicola will represent Ākina at the upcoming Tourism Summit Aotearoa 2024, where she’ll discuss the importance of understanding impact in business.
Discover how the power of impact can transform your business and elevate business experiences. Explore strategies that not only drive growth but also deliver positive social and environmental change. Register and find more info here
Connecting Capital with Climate Solutions
Tan Huynh, Head of Partnerships at Ākina, facilitated a panel at a full house at “Connecting Capital with Climate Solutions”. Experts from Soul Capital, Purpose Capital, and New Ground Capital shared insights on impact measurement and co-investment models.
In exciting news, the Impact Investing Network (IIN) and Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) are exploring integration, aiming for the IIN to join RIAA by mid-2025.
Social Procurement: Celebrating Ākina Impact Buyers
Congratulations to Ākina Impact Buyer, Xero for winning the ‘Most Effective Team of the Year’ at the New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum Procurement Excellence Awards! Another Ākina Impact Buyer, Auckland Transport were finalists in the Social Impact of the Year Award.
A big mihi to Alice Bray-Paroli from Beca, who shared her social procurement experiences at Ākina’s Impact Buyer October Masterclass.
If you've submitted a government tender, partnered with an agency, or been part of an All of Government (AOG) panel, share your feedback to help improve procurement practices. Takes 10 minutes and is anonymous.
Ākina’s Capability Building Programme 2024
Ākina believes business and impact go hand-in-hand. If you’re based in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), or Te Moana-a-Toi (Bay Of Plenty), we may be able to help you grow your idea and scale your business with our coaching and workshop services.
Expressions of interest for the 2024 Capability Building Programme, especially from Māori and Pasifika-owned enterprises are open. Express your interest now.
Tēnā kōrua to Ākina Programme partners Foundation North and BayTrust for allowing Ākina to work with these community-based initiatives, and help solve the challenges they face.
Impact in Action
Congratulations to 2022 Ākina IIRP recipient, KiwiFibre, who placed third at Creative HQ's Startup World Cup Aotearoa.
Rā whānau ki a koe, The Good Registry - gifting goodness, one of Ākina’s certified social enterprises, who have just turned seven! Why not wish them a happy birthday by turning your Flybuys points into dollars for their charities?
Centre for Social Impact New Zealand launched their Capability Support Wheel, a tool to help organisations strengthen their social impact.
Congratulations to Ākina Impact Supplier, 27seconds, who made Parliament’s wine list.
Mindful Money, BNZ Foundation and Ākina Impact Supplier Brightly released their 2024 Impact Reports.
Massey Business School’s, Susanna Lee, is leading a first-of-its-kind study on ‘Optimising Organisational Culture’, launching October 22, 2024.
Āwhina i Āpōpō Back Tomorrow is a new opportunity for changemakers to realise their visions for a better tomorrow through skills development, connections, and mentorship.
Defender Bags is upcycling billboard skins to create unique merchandise for Circa Theatre, offering a range of exclusive bags.
Come and share an office with Ākina and Supergood! We have four desks available at our Te Whanganui-a-Tara shared space office that would suit a team or individuals. More information here.
Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei - that’s all for the October newsletter. Thank you for being a part of the impact community! Get in touch with Ākina if your organisation is ready to begin its positive impact journey.
Nāku noa,
nā Ākina
