Kōtuitui is the iwi-mandated, community-led backbone for the for-purpose sector across Te Tauihu built on a Kawenata (relationship covenant) with Ngā Iwi o Te Tauihu. This ensures shared leadership, accountability and a deep commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action.

We exist to make the mahi lighter for the people running community organisations including foodbanks, youth programmes, environmental restoration and hundreds of other organisations that keep this region a place worth living in. We create digital and in person spaces for them to connect. We build their capability (governance, leadership, financial management) so their managers and governors can do the job well without burning out. And we back them to collaborate on problems no single organisation can solve alone, like food security.

We’ve designed and delivered governance and leadership training reaching over 150 managers and governors so far. This capability building is supported by The Weave, our digital hub for the sector. The Weave is still growing and we want to build more functionality and a better everyday experience so support reaches people wherever they are in the region.

Our Kawenata is what holds our partnerships together on shared, intergenerational principles: our agreement with the eight iwi of Te Tauihu, local and central government, funders and community organisations. 

Right now, the clearest way to help is by funding capability development directly and expanding what the WEAVE can do for the people who use it. We track what actually changes for the managers and governors who take part: their confidence, their practice, what they carry back to their organisations.

We hope this becomes an ongoing partnership rather than a single gift.