Our journey:
from collective voice
to practical action
The Storytelling for Impact & Influence project is the direct result of a regional movement to strengthen the community sector in Tāmaki Makaurau.
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Dec 05, 2023: The journey began with a half-day hui attended by 92 participants from across the region to discuss building community resilience following the 2023 weather events and budget cuts.
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Mar 26, 2024: A follow-up session with 45 practitioners refined these insights into six core action plans.
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Identifying the need: A primary takeaway from these 2023–2024 sessions - which involved more than 80 different organisations - was the urgent need for practical upskilling in storytelling.
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The goal: Practitioners highlighted that for the sector to thrive, it must be easy for decision-makers and funders to understand the value of community-driven work through succinct, attractive narratives backed by data.
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Evolution into workshops: In response, in 2025 this project evolved into a series of hands-on wānanga. These workshops uplifted participants’ understanding of storytelling techniques, cultural frameworks and funder expectations. Alongside this, participants had the opportunity to engage in facilitated sessions to learn how to use a variety of creative tools —including AI, social media platforms and smartphone videography — to transform their mahi into compelling stories of impact.
In 2026, the project enters its next phase with the official launch of the Storytelling for Impact & Influence website. This digital hub features:
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Exemplar case studies: Eight "behind-the-scenes" stories from organisations like Belong Aotearoa, Earth Action Trust, and Kick Back Make Change, providing a model for others to follow.
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Resource repository: Immediate access to four proven storytelling tools, including the Impact Storytelling Canvas and Values Mapping.
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On-demand learning: Recorded presentations on Māori and Pacific storytelling frameworks to ensure narratives remain culturally grounded.
Alongside this, a new series of three smaller, localised wānanga across the North, West, and South/Central-East regions will be delivered. These sessions will be designed to provide an environment that supports practitioners to develop their own impact stories on the day.