You can jump to the sections here:
- Tō Tātou Rāngai | Our Sector
- TōTātou Whakauru | Our Membership
- Ōritetanga me te whakaurunga | Equity & Inclusion
- Kaumātua | Older People
- Tamariki | Children
- Upcoming Events
Celebrating Connecting for Change 2026
On 28-29 July NZCCSS joined forces with Community Networks Aotearoa to host the Connecting for Change conference in Wellington. It was great to see almost 200 attendees from around the motu, representing an amazing array of community, government, philanthropic, academic and other organisations.
A huge thank you to our sponsors, our speakers, our workshop leads and attendees and everyone who made the event happen.
Through solutions-focused presentations, shared learning and connection opportunities, the conference highlighted the importance of collaboration, investing in relationships and whanaungatanga, and ensuring community voices and lived experience are at the heart of decision-making.
We heard from Creative Waikato about the value of the process of thinking creatively for our individual and community wellbeing, we were inspired by Harlem-Cruz Ihaia who shared her journey of one kaupapa planting the seed for the next, Tracey Martin reminded us to hold true to our values when the funding environment changed and Lizzie Makalio from Wesley Community Action highlighted how lived experience can shape real change. Together we explored new ideas, strengthened connections, and reflected on what it means to be supporting our communities.
From left to right: Laura McClure (ACT), Vanessa Weenink (National), Glen Bennett (Labour), Ricardo Menèndez March (Greens), Oriini Kaipara (Te Pati Māori), Jamie Arbuckle (NZ First), David Hanna (panel host).
Click here for more photos of conference
Free Theory of Change webinar
For those that missed the Theory of Change conference workshop or would like to learn more about the tools mentioned, NZCCSS is proud to be working with Frank Advice to provide a free webinar on how to strengthen your theory of change using Treasury’s tools.
When: Tuesday 29 September, 10am
Member breakfast at conference
It was wonderful to see so many of our member organisations connecting at the NZCCSS Member Breakfast which took place on Day Two of the Connecting for Change conference.
A big THANK YOU to our sponsors:
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
Methodist Alliance
The Salvation Army
And to our speakers Dr Bonnie Robinson (The Salvation Army) and Sarah Mulcahy (Anglican Care Waiapu), and Paki Manukau (The Salvation Army) who opened and closed the event in prayer.
If this event has inspired you to connect more with NZCCSS please get in touch: comms@nzccss.org.nz
Member workshops at conference
Moving Towards a Restorative Culture
This workshop by Presbyterian Support Otago challenged hierarchical thinking, encouraging organisations to treat all kaimahi as leaders in their own way. Presenters advocated for applying a high trust model where possible and giving those that know the people in the community best the power to make decisions with safety and confidence.
Connecting People to Purpose
Davina Plummer, the National Service Development Practice Manager for The Salvation Army, invited attendees to think about what drives connection, purpose, and belonging in a workplace, and the unique space the Christian social services providers hold in this exploration. Connecting a faith lens to staff recruitment, retention, and workplace satisfaction, Davina outlined how our members provide more than just a workplace for their staff, but a place to connect strongly to both their service-focused profession and their faith.
Better boarding house regulation
In August NZCCSS CEO Alicia Sudden and Policy Analyst Dr Katie Schraders spoke to the Social Services and Community Select Committee advocating for the introduction of a public register of boarding houses and their landlords under the Residential Tenancies (Registration of Boarding House Landlords) Amendment Bill. NZCCSS members have shared concerns regarding the quality and affordability of boarding house accommodation.
NZCCSS views this Bill as an important step towards improving transparency and greater compliance with healthy homes and building standards.
Watch NZCCSS’ oral submission or read our written submission to find out more.
Older Persons Poverty Monitor launched
Last month NZCCSS launched the Older Persons Poverty Monitor.at Parliament. Through our coverage on 1News at 6pm, Radio NZ, The Post, Pacific Media Network, Te Ao News and more, we reached an audience of more than 3.8 million.
Watch the OPPM on 1News.
Explore more data or read the full report.
Tick for Kids policy scorecards out now
The 2026 Election policy scorecards from Tick 4 Kids are out now!
Check it out to see what the main political parties are promising to do to support Kiwi children, young people and whānau across the following issues; Protecting our Rights, Care and Protection, Climate Action, Education, Health and Wellbeing, Housing, Inclusion, Incomes, Youth Justice
Tick for Kids sent every major political party a survey of the policy solutions Tick for Kids members support and asked them which ones they will action if they are voted in this election.
Check out the scorecards here
We’re excited to join a number of our member organisations to share at this upcoming Housing Election Forum in Wellington addressing homelessness and housing affordability.
Free Theory of Change webinar
NZCCSS is proud to be working with Frank Advice to bring our members a free webinar on how to strengthen your theory of change using Treasury’s tools.
When: Tuesday 29 September, 10am
Alzheimers New Zealand conference
Beyond the Story will bring together leading voices from across the sector to share ideas, spark conversations and help shape a better future
Find out more and register here.
“Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25
(Evangelical Heritage Version)
