Workshops
Theme: Preparing for Tomorrow

Description: This workshop will present international examples of how social and affordable housing systems drive improved outcomes through procurement and funding practices. It will explore how those systems provide greater certainty for applicants whilst maintaining a competitive tension, fostering innovation and delivering transparency on funding decisions and amounts. These approaches can support system learning and benchmarking to ensure innovation becomes standard practice and quality is assured. Participants will then work in groups to define key funding application criteria and potential scoring approaches for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Audience: For people involved in housing development, finance, management, policy and governance roles. Prior experience with funding applications helpful but not necessary.

Description: Good governance is essential to building sustainable, community‑led housing. It shapes how organisations hold their purpose, make decisions, manage risk, support their people, and stay accountable to tenants, whānau, communities, funders and partners. In a sector grounded in social impact and deep local relationships, governance is not something that happens in the background — it is a core part of how providers honour their kaupapa and deliver safe, secure, culturally grounded homes.

This practical, interactive two‑hour workshop explores what good governance looks like for community housing providers across Aotearoa. It offers space for board members, managers and leaders to step back from day‑to‑day pressures, reflect on their current practice, and strengthen the foundations that support effective stewardship. Whether you are new to governance or have years of experience, the session provides a chance to refresh your thinking, test assumptions, and build confidence in navigating today’s complex operating environment.

We will look at the responsibilities of not‑for‑profit boards, the importance of clarity in roles and boundaries, and how strong governance supports organisational culture, decision‑making and accountability. The workshop also explores the board–manager relationship, how to lead through uncertainty and change, and how governance can act as stewardship of purpose, people, places and homes.

Audience: This workshop is for board members, trustees, committee members, chairs, chief executives, managers and senior staff working with the governance of community housing providers. It is suitable for people who are new to governance, experienced board members wanting a useful refresh, managers who want to strengthen the board and management relationship, and emerging leaders who may step into governance roles in the future.

Description: This interactive workshop explores the complexities and opportunities in supporting tangata with a multitude of challenges to achieving sustainable independence in their housing.Facilitated by Kāhui Tū Kaha, the session will present supported housing models grounded in indigenous knowledge and practice, led by Ngāti Whātua values of whakawhanaungatanga, rangatiratanga and manaakitanga, and a commitment to equity and wellbeing outcomes.Participants will engage in practical kōrero on the barriers within current systems, share ideas and solutions from their own experience, and explore policy and practice changes needed to strengthen pathways into connected, sustainable housing.

Audience: Anyone involved in delivering homes and services in higher density environments supporting whānau with supports needs in addition to an affordable home.