Connecting Our Neighbours
Community Networks • September 10, 2025
Kia ora koutou,
As Community Networks Aotearoa (CNA) continues to grow, so does the incredible breadth and depth of our Member organisations. From the Far North to the Deep South, CNA members are doing important mahi in their communities every day. But in the busyness of our work, we sometimes don’t get the chance to connect with others doing similar things just down the road—or even across town. And you may not know who’s joined CNA!
That’s where Neighbourly Natters comes in.
You may or may not be aware of our Neighbourly Natters that's just kicked off. Basically, as our membership is increasing, we want to better connect fellow CNA members in regions. It’s a brief meet and greet—name, organisation, elevator pitch, and maybe the main issue you’re dealing with. It’s a way to better know who your CNA neighbours actually are.
It’s a small idea with a big impact. These short, informal virtual catchups are a chance to meet other local Members, put faces to names, and start conversations that might just lead to collaboration. No pressure, no presentations—just a space to be seen, heard, and supported.
In the spirit of CNA’s values, Neighbourly Natters recognises that relationships are the foundation of strong communities. And when groups doing similar work start talking, the potential for shared learning, resource-swapping, and partnership grows quickly.
Even if your organisation has little to no funding, you can still build strong connections locally. Here are five zero-cost ways to foster collaboration with like-minded organisations in your community:
1. Host a “Community Cuppa”
Organise a monthly informal chat with local organisations—online or in a shared space like a library or marae. Bring your own drink, and just kōrero.
2. Create a Skills/Needs Swap List
Set up a shared doc where organisations can list what they can offer (e.g. a spare meeting room, tech skills) and what they need (e.g. volunteers, help with a flyer).
3. Run a Story-Sharing Circle
Invite community groups to a quick round of storytelling—one success, one challenge. These sessions build empathy and highlight shared goals.
4. Share a Community Calendar
Avoid overlap and support each other’s events by building a joint calendar for hui, workshops, or local campaigns.
5. Launch a “Collaboration Challenge”
Encourage two organisations to team up for just one thing: a post, event, or project. Keep it small, fun, and doable.
CNA’s Neighbourly Natters is about starting small—but thinking big. The more we connect, the more resilient and effective we become as a sector. Whether you’re a well-established organisation or a volunteer-led group, these conversations help weave the fabric of a stronger, more connected Aotearoa. We’ll look to have more of these and add some of your own network organisations too!
You never know where one good conversation might lead. Let’s keep connecting—one natter at a time.
Interested in joining a Neighbourly Natters session? Email me at info@communitynetworksaotearoa.org.nz
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Kia ora koutou, Running a not-for-profit in Aotearoa New Zealand isn’t for the faint-hearted. Funding pressures, rising compliance demands, volunteer burnout and changing community needs can make it feel like you’re spinning a dozen plates at once. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone. One of the clearest signs of that strength is CNA’s Tick for Governance course, which has now reached a major milestone — over 1,000 users have either completed the course or are actively working through it. That’s 1,000 trustees, board members and leaders investing in good governance and better outcomes for their communities. 🎉 Tick for Governance is special because it’s the only truly Kiwi governance course of its kind. It’s written by Kiwis, for Kiwis, grounded in the realities of how not-for-profits operate in Aotearoa. It’s also proudly supported by Charity Services and the Institute of Directors, giving organisations confidence that the learning is practical, credible and relevant. But CNA doesn’t stop at courses. We’re here to help build capacity and ease workloads through a growing suite of courses, apps and practical resources designed for the real world not-for-profits operate in. A standout example is our collaboration with WiseComply, a smart compliance app that takes a huge weight off governance and management teams. Just like Tick for Governance, WiseComply updates your legislative and compliance requirements as they happen, so you don’t have to constantly chase changes or worry about missing something critical. Less stress, more confidence, better governance, more casual cups of tea. We’re also expanding our highly successful Sharp Strategies series. These aren’t your average sit-and-listen presentations. Sharp Strategies go deeper, offering real-time answers from experts on the issues that actually keep you awake at night, especially with the impending re-registration of Incorporated Societies, the General Election and more. Practical, interactive and immediately useful. Together, these initiatives reflect what CNA is all about: creating meaningful building blocks that strengthen individual organisations, lift the sector as a whole, and ultimately contribute to a stronger, more resilient Aotearoa New Zealand society. Five ways your organisation can get involved: Enrol your board in Tick for Governance to build confident, capable governance. Use WiseComply to simplify and stay on top of compliance obligations. Attend Sharp Strategies sessions to get direct, expert guidance on tough issues. Share CNA resources with staff and volunteers to build capability across your organisation. Make CNA learning part of your ongoing planning, not just a one-off fix. As we head into 2026, now is the perfect time to invest in your people, your governance and your future. Engage with CNA, use the tools on offer, and let’s keep building a stronger not-for-profit sector — together. In the words of a wise, wise man – “To Infinity, And Beyond!”
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