Stories are powerful.
They can shift perspectives, spark action, and create real change. In today’s world, attention is scarce and the funding environment is tough, so simply having a great story isn’t enough - it has to land.
This website has been created for community organisations wanting to amplify their impact through storytelling. Here you’ll find easy-to-use guides and practical action steps, along with stories from peer organisations which showcase how they have developed impactful stories.
We invite you to explore the resources and examples of impactful storytelling to kick start your own story today.
What great storytelling looks like
Head behind the scenes and discover how these community organisations have developed outstanding stories across different platforms for targeted audiences.
#PassTheMic
People of Avondale
Tāfesilafa’i
Changing
Minds
Organisation: Belong Aotearoa
Format: Podcast series
The story: Spotlighting the lives of people from migrant and former refugee backgrounds living in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) one conversation at a time
Aim: to challenge racism through allyship, amplify the voices of migrants and former refugees and to ensure they are the ones who speak for their communities
Organisation: People of Avondale
Format: Social media series + public-facing gallery
The story: A portrait series telling the authentic stories of residents, business owners, and people who work or play in Avondale.
Aim: to showcase the diversity within Avondale, foster neighbourhood pride, and provide positive representation for the local community.
Organisation: Healthy Families Waitākere
Format: Social media series + public-facing gallery
The story: Samoan early childhood educators in West Auckland came together as a “Community of Care” that turned individual struggles into collective strength.
Aim: to showcase the diversity within Avondale, foster neighbourhood pride, and provide positive representation for the local community.
Organisation: Changing Minds
Format: NZSL-accessible video series
The story: A video series, led by and for the Deaf community featuring real stories, resources, and peer-led advice. It covers mental distress, navigating services, and inclusion.
Aim: to break stigma and build a stronger Deaf community where people feel safe speaking up and supporting one another.
A Fool’s Company
Team Up
to Clean Up
The Pan African Community Centre
Kick Back Make Change
Organisation: A Fool's Company
Format: Interactive theatre show
The story: An Auckland-based physical theatre collective used clowning, circus, and devised performance to turn abstract environmental policy into an emotional, story-driven experience for tamariki across the region.
Aim: to teach children about the rukenga kai (food scraps) service, encourage them to separate their waste correctly, and help them understand the environmental benefits of keeping food scraps out of landfill.
Organisation: Healthy Families Waitākere
Format: In-person events
The story:Team Up to Clean Up behaviour change programme
Aim: to empower community-driven understanding and awareness of environmental care, and community spirit.
Organisation: NZPABC
Format: In‑person programmes
The story: Born from a weekly health and education podcast series for African migrants, the Pan African Community Centre has grown into a welcoming hub in New Lynn for people from all walks of life seeking connection, support and a sense of belonging.
Aim: to create a values‑driven place of belonging where African communities feel seen and safe, and to equip people with the relationships, knowledge and confidence they need to thrive and participate fully in life in Aotearoa.
Organisation: Kick Back Make Change
Format: Website, longform pdf
The story: A video series, led by and for the Deaf community featuring real stories, resources, and peer-led advice. It covers mental distress, navigating services, and inclusion.
Aim: to break stigma and build a Deaf community where people feel safe speaking up.
By A Fool's Company
A Fool's Company
An Auckland-based physical theatre collective used clowning, circus, and devised performance to turn abstract environmental policy into an emotional, story-driven experience for tamariki across the region.
Aim: To teach children about the rukenga kai (food scraps) service, encourage them to separate their waste correctly, and help them understand the environmental benefits of keeping food scraps out of landfill.
By NZPABC
The Pan African Community Centre
Born from a weekly health and education podcast series for African migrants, the Pan African Community Centre has grown into a welcoming hub in New Lynn for people from all walks of life seeking connection, support and a sense of belonging.
Aim: To create a values‑driven place of belonging where African communities feel seen and safe, and to equip people with the relationships, knowledge and confidence they need to thrive and participate fully in life in Aotearoa.
By NZPABC
The Pan African Community Centre
Born from a weekly health and education podcast series for African migrants, the Pan African Community Centre has grown into a welcoming hub in New Lynn for people from all walks of life seeking connection, support and a sense of belonging.
Aim: To create a values‑driven place of belonging where African communities feel seen and safe, and to equip people with the relationships, knowledge and confidence they need to thrive and participate fully in life in Aotearoa.
