Who could help us secure investment in stronger communities?
Last week, I shared how stronger neighbourhood connections and community knowledge could contribute to better decisions, starting in Newlands. This week, I am asking: do you know who could help us secure the investment to put this into practice?
Through Aotearoa Community Resilience Network (ACoRN) and Newlands Resilience Group, we are developing an approach across Newlands, Paparangi, Woodridge and Bellevue. Our wider aim is improved economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing, alongside disaster preparedness. Stronger neighbourhood connections and community intelligence can contribute to these outcomes, while wider progress also depends on public decisions and other organisations.
Why invest in neighbourhood connections?
Knowing our neighbours matters before an emergency happens. It creates opportunities to share skills, contribute, find appropriate help and work together on things that matter locally. Those relationships also provide a foundation for responding when life is disrupted.
Our surveys gathered 1,163 responses between 2019 and 2025. They show strengths alongside opportunities to improve mutual support, cultural participation and disaster preparedness. These are respondents’ experiences, giving us a starting point for conversations.
Our next survey runs from 21 October to 4 November. A community conversation in November will help residents identify priorities, activities and contributions. That knowledge will inform both neighbourhood action and the information we share with decision-makers.
What would the investment support?
We seek NZ$57,800 for a proposed March–May 2027 trial supporting 40 volunteer Community Connectors to establish 20 neighbourhood groups.
Connectors would help neighbours build relationships, contribute, support one another and access appropriate help. Residents would shape the activities. Connectors would be registered through Greater Wellington Neighbourhood Support, with ACoRN providing trial training and coordination.
The trial would co-develop an app for neighbour communication, Connector training and support, and local emergency information. A proposed university case study and literature review would contribute to learning.
We have submitted a Lottery funding application for the trial, with an outcome expected in December. Funding is not yet secured. Any contributions would be disclosed and the remaining request adjusted to avoid duplicate funding.
Why look beyond the trial now?
Relationships and volunteer commitment need continuity. If the trial succeeds, we want to maintain momentum while putting the next stage of support in place.
Alongside trial funding, we seek conditional commitments of NZ$286,000 by 1 February 2027 for implementation from mid-2027 to March 2028. A further NZ$138,000 would be sought by 1 February 2028 for April–September 2028.
Implementation would introduce mentoring and professional supervision. Funding would be released subject to agreed conditions, with the trial helping determine whether to proceed, adapt or pause.
Funders would agree success thresholds beforehand. We would assess participation, Connector retention, resident-reported connection and mutual support, training and app usefulness, and delivery costs. An end-of-May review would consider results and readiness.
Can you help us reach the right people?
Do you know anyone interested in investing in stronger communities, or someone who could help us secure funding? We welcome conversations with philanthropic and grant funders about supporting the trial, conditional implementation, or both.
You may know a trust, foundation, business or individual whose interests align with this work. An introduction to the right person could help us explore that fit and agree what a contribution could make possible.
We would also value advice from people experienced in securing investment for community initiatives. If that is you, or someone you know, please get in touch.
Please share our Investment Brief, which sets out the staged funding, delivery approach and accountability arrangements. I’d welcome a conversation about the opportunity and how you might help.
Rodney Barber
Chair, ACoRN | Newlands Resilience Group
