What we do

Mahi tahi | Connection & Collaboration
Promote connection, collaboration, and information-sharing between community and social service organisations

Our Members' meetings are a popular way for member groups and others to find out what is going on in the local community sector.  Attendees also take the opportunity to network with others in an informal manner. Guest speakers are often invited to speak at Members Meetings on topics and issues of importance and interest to the community sector.

Aside from these regular meetings, Te Pū Harakeke organise other networking events from time to time for the wider sector, or for specific groups among the membership.

Our email newsletter, Flax Pānui, and our email contact list is an additional way member groups can keep in touch with each other, and share their news and notices.

Āheitanga | Capability & Capacity Building
Facilitate the building of the capability and capacity of community and social service organisations

Te Pū Harakeke provides trainings on a range of areas relevant to the community and social services every year. Topics include Te Tiriti o Waitangi, governance, fundraising and grant writing, leadership and much more.

Alongside out training programme, we offer legal and professional support to non-for-profit organisations through Te Tauteka.

Whakatuarā | Advocacy
Advocate on behalf of community and social service organisations

Te Pū Harakeke advocates on behalf of its member groups at a local and central government level. We welcome input from members about issues that they care about.

Whakawhanake hāpori | Community Development
Research the needs of the community sector, community development, and social wellbeing generally, and undertake activities to meet these needs

Biennially Te Pū Harakeke in partnership with Palmerston North City Council, host a Social Wellbeing Forum (SWF). In the lead up to the forum, a significant research project is undertaken gathering information from community sector workers through interviews and a survey. The learnings from this project are then compiled together in a report and distributed amongst the community sector. 

Annually, Te Pū Harakeke administers the Community Development Small Grants Fund made available by the Palmerston North City Council. 

In addition to these, Te Pū Harakeke also manages the day-to-day operations of Hancock Community House on behalf of the Palmerston North City Council.