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.

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 2022-2025

Empower the Sector

Whakamana i te Hapori

A collective sector voice
Thought leadership
Celebrating and promoting the sector
Building relationships and partnerships
Research, data and insights

Build the Sector

Hangaia i te Hapori

Training, networking and information sharing
Facilitate collaboration
Add value to kaupapa Māori providers (Whakamana Tangata)
Organisational support
The Kollective (co-working space for not-for-profits)
Promote innovation
Volunteering Services

Serve the Sector

Mahia i te Hapori

Financial sustainability and operations
Growing people and culture
Treaty based co-governance

How We Operate

Our Vision

Moemoeā

A resourced, skilled and cohesive for-purpose sector enabling communities to flourish.

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

Our Purpose

Whāinga

Building the capability, confidence, sustainability and voice of community organisations in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Kia whakawhanake he hua kaha, he hua maia, he hua toitū hei māngai mō ngā rātonga ā hāpori o ngā rohe o Te Tai Hauauru o te Moana o Toi.

Our Values

Whanonga Pono

The way we work – Te āhua o ta tātau mahi

Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Equity – Mana Taurite
Courage – Kaha
Inclusive – Tae ana ki
Visionary – Matawhānui
Proactive – Whakahohe

Resourceful – Rawa
Social justice – Manatika Hāpori
Integrity – Pāhekoheko
Accessible – Āheitanga
Empowering – Whakamana
Impact – Whakaaweawetia

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

Strategic Review

SociaLink to review its strategic plan 2022-2025 and develop a Māori Strategy.