Our Story

Tā Mātou Kōrero

What is SociaLink?

SociaLink is a collaborative charitable trust that was established in 2012 to empower, build and serve the tangata whenua, community and social sectors in the Western Bay of Plenty. For more information about how we work and what we have planned, download a copy of our Strategic Plan below.

If you’re new to the social sector, download a copy of our Orientation Guide to find out what you need to know about the Western Bay Of Plenty social sector. It’s a great place to get started.

Ūhia te korowai kāhui ki te iwi hei tauawhi, hei akiaki ki te ao angitu

Spread the folds of the korowai to all, as a means of support and encouragement in pursuit of success

What We Plan 2025-2035

Partnership & Te Tiriti in Action

Mahi Tahi me Te Tiriti

Working side-by-side with partners, honouring Te Tiriti
through mana ōrite in governance, strategy, and delivery.

Strengthen the Sector

Whakakahangia te Rāngai

Supporting for-purpose organisations to build capability,
foster collaboration, and deliver impactful services.

Empower the Sector

Whakamanahia te Rāngai

Uplifting the sector’s voice, fostering relationships, and
promoting visibility and value of the for-purpose sector.

Sustain Our Organisation

Whakapūmautia te Ohu

Ensuring robust governance, systems and partnerships
that are inclusive and strategically aligned.

How We Operate

Our Vision

Whakakitenga

He rāngai whakatōpū, whai rawa, hei whakakaha i ngā hapori kia puāwai

A thriving for-purpose sector, grounded in mana ōrite partnership and equity, enabling communities to flourish.

Our Purpose

Whāinga

Kia whakawhanake he hua kaha, he hua maia, he hua toitū hei māngai mō ngā
rātonga ā hapori

To honour Te Tiriti by weaving Kaupapa Māori through our mahi and working in mana ōrite partnership.

In this way, we build capability, confidence, sustainability, impact and a united voice across the for-purpose sector, while upholding relationships with mana whenua and enabling equitable, intergenerational well-being

Our Values

Uara

The way we work – Te āhua o ta tātau mahi

Matawhānui
Pono
Whakahohe
Mahi Tahi
Whakaaweawetia

Visionary
Integrity
Proactive
Working Together
Impact

SociaLink Whakapapa

2012

Inception

The sector sought a vehicle to facilitate capability building within the sector, to provide a collective social sector voice and become more connected to and valued in community, city and regional decision making.

The Social Sector Innovation WBOP Charitable Trust was formed.

2013

Initial Development

Public workshop at the Historic Village to determine the needs of the social sector

First informal minuted meeting at Bay Trust

First AGM

Charitable Trust status

First networking meeting held

2014

Further Development

Submission to the Productivity Commission – more effective social services Inquiry

First public event: Thinking and Working Smarter – Funders Forum

2015

Re-Branding

Re-branded to ‘SociaLink Tauranga Moana’

Mapping the sector project discussed as project 9A3 with SmartGrowth

2016

Management

Recruited General Manager

2017-18

Growth

SociaLink fully funded by a collaboration of TECT, Bay Trust, and Acorn Foundation

Recruited Manager for The Kollective

Recruited staff for Collaboration, Organisational Support, Māori Engagement, Research, Policy & Advocacy, Income Generation

The Kollective opens

Mapping the Social Sector findings launched and disseminated

2019

Whakatauki Gifted

Ngāi Tamarāwaho gifts whakatauki to SociaLink which serves as a guiding principle in our efforts to support the community and social sector within the Western Bay of Plenty communities.

2020

Co-Governance

SociaLink board introduced a co-governance model by creating a Tangata Whenua caucus
and a Tangata Tiriti caucus

Establishment of the Community Insights team

2022

Further Expansion

SociaLink acquired Volunteering Bay of Plenty and began delivery of volunteering services.

Celebrated SociaLink’s 10 th birthday

2023

Supporting Hapori Māori

Commenced Whakamana Tangata three year pilot to support Hapori Māori by strengthening their capability and capacity to access funding and achieve their goals.

2024

Expanding Services

Commenced a two-year pilot of SociaLink Office Support offering for purpose organisations with senior business administration skills at a subsidised rate that can help organisations with accounting, website, CRM’s policies and procedures, systems etc.

Launched Business Heroes directory to match for purpose organisations with businesses offering a wide range of services at a discounted rate.

2025

Launched 10 Year Strategic Plan

Te Korowai Kāhui - Strategic Plan 2025-2035 - sets out the vision and priorities guiding our work, strongly embedding the Rautaki Māori (Māori Strategy), in a partnership model from governance to operations. The plan also outlines practical goals to strengthen capability, collaboration, long-term sustainability and be a united voice across the for-purpose sector.