Generate Network NZ Impact Report 22/23

IMPACT REPORT 2022-2023

TĒNĀ KOUTOU

It has been 18 months since our last impact report, and within that time it has been amazing to see the incredible mahi from the Generate committee and its members continue. As we navigated the impact of COVID it seems the desire for the sector as a whole to connect face-to-face had increased. This became evident at several of our events last year, including great attendances to our Breakfast series in Tāmaki Makaurau, Ōtepoti, as well as Ōtautahi and our biggest-ever conference held in Tāmaki in late 2022.

While it is great to see this success, it still requires us to think ahead and ensure what we offer our members is fit for purpose. As such our recent strategic review in early 2023 was timely as we look to the future and how Generate can continue to support the sector. We look forward to presenting the final strategic refresh in late 2023/early 2024.

As our time as Co-Chairs comes to an end with Generate NZ, none of the mahi we do would be possible without our amazing team. We are always impressed by the enthusiasm, attitude and commitment that they have for the Generate kaupapa. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. We also like to acknowledge Brittany White and Jason Husband as they step into the role of Co-Chair for Generate NZ moving forward. We know Generate is in great hands!

E mihi ana ki a koutou to all of our partners, sponsors and supporters. As always, we can’t thank Recreation Aotearoa enough for their continued support to Generate NZ through many avenues. We would also like to thank the team at RSL Consultancy, who, alongside event sponsorship, have supported Generate NZ massively in the governance space and helped us navigate a strategic review, we are truly grateful for your support.

As we head into the second half of 2023 we are excited to see the connection that Generate enables, continuing, as those new to our sector continue to bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the sector.

Ngā manaakitanga

ABOUT GENERATE NZ

Generate NZ is a network for up and coming recreation gogetters.

More recreation go-getters thriving for generations to come.

We exist to build effective future leaders in the recreation industry, create a connected industry and to ensure that our industry is a great place to work for generations to come.

NZ Conference 2022, Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland

Generate

UPDATES COMMITTEE

Generate NZ is governed and operated by a passionate group of volunteers that make up our Steering Committee.

C O M M I T T E E F A R E W E L L S

In December 2022 we said goodbye to Wendy Trolove, who has contributed significantly to Generate NZ over her 2 years on the Steering Committee. Wendy played a huge role in getting Generate's marketing and communications up to scratch, and also organised our 2021 Annual Conference in Ōtautahi. We thank Wendy for her contribution to our kaupapa and we wish her well for her future. Ngā mihi nui e hoa!

Wendy Trolove

In 2021, Wendy navigated an uncertain Covid-19 environment to make sure we could connect safely kanohi-ki-te-kanohi at Generate Conference - what a legend!

With Wendy's departure at the end of 2022, we brought on three new Steering Committee members to help drive the Generate NZ kaupapa as we moved into 2023.

Introducing the newest members of the Generate NZ Steering Committee...

In August 2023 Elise and Watene will be stepping down from their roles as Co-Chairs of Generate NZ.

Elise joined the Steering Committee in 2017. Highlights for Elise during her time on the committee were:

Organising multiple successful Generate Conferences. Meeting a wide range of people across the sector. Stepping up to lead Generate NZ alongside Watene. Developing her governance and leadership skills.

"I'm grateful to those who have mentored and supported me throughout my time on the Generate Committee. This has been a fantastic start to my governance journey and I'm glad to have made some lifelong friendships throughout. I'm excited to see the future growth of Generate and will always be an advocate!"

Location: Christchurch

Chris Barron Location: Auckland

Rebecca Stokes

Location: Christchurch

- Elise Yule

Watene joined the Steering Committee in 2018. Highlights from his involvement in Generate NZ include:

The partnership with Recreation Aotearoa which helped to grow Generate NZ.

Helping organise and attend multiple Generate events, breakfasts and discussions.

Connecting with people from across the sector, this by far has been the biggest value of the Generate Network for him. His time on the Recreation Aotearoa Board and the skills he developed from this experience.

"My time on the Recreation Aotearoa Board was hugely valuable, and the skills I have learnt from this experience I know I will be able to use in the sector for years to come."

- Watene Hema

We thank Elise and Watene for their huge contributions to the kaupapa of Generate NZ. We’ll miss them on the committee, but we’re sure they’ll continue to stay connected through our events in the future.

Jason Husband and Brittany White are picking up the Co-Chair positions once Elise and Watene step down. As existing members of the Generate NZ Steering Committee, Jase and Brittany have a strong understanding of Generate’s mission l d bj ti Th both passionate about the role Gener industry and are excited to build on leadership of Elise and Watene.

"Generate NZ can play an important ro empowering and connecting recreation professionals joining the sector. Britt a excited to be part of building and shap of the Generate NZ kaupapa."

- Ja

"I'm looking forward alongside Jase. With I'm really excited to Elise and be guided by our fresh strategy to look to the future of Generate NZ."

- Brittany White

GOVERNANCE

In February 2022, the Steering Committee were fortunate to have Julie Hood from Sport New Zealand deliver a ‘Beyond Governance 101’ professional development session to help further develop our governance capability. The session stretched our thinking, challenged our perceptions of time management and provided clarity between our strategic and operational roles within Generate NZ.

Through Recreation Aotearoa's Tuakana Teina mentorship programme, the Generate committee has been lucky to have the support of Kiri Pope for over 4 years. Kiri's guidance has been hugely valuable to the Generate kaupapa, and has helped us as a committee understand the importance of strong governance. Being able to challenge us, as well as offer support, we want to send a mihi to Kiri for her time and commitment to Generate. Thank you Kiri!

Kiri with the Generate NZ Steering Committee during our 2023 Strategy Refresh hui.

In February 2023 the Steering Committee met in Wellington for a strategic planning session.

It was great to come together and look at what Generate NZ has achieved to date, and what opportunities lay ahead for us as we move into our next strategic period. We've been busy over the past few months shaping up our ideas, and we can't wait to share our refreshed strategy once it's all finished!

We'd like to acknowledge long-time Generate NZ supporters Richard Lindsay and Kiri Pope from Recreation Sport & Leisure Consultancy for guiding us through the day by supporting the facilitation of the session - ngā mihi nui ki a kōrua!

We'd also like to thank Recreation Aotearoa for their ongoing support for our kaupapa and for hosting us in their office!

EVENTS

2022 and 2023 have brought a strong desire to connect face to face with our members. We did this through our Breakfast Series, our annual conference, and at Recreation Aotearoa events.

In March 2022 we brought back Generate’s networking breakfasts. Events took place in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. The theme "Stories from our Sector" provided a series of mornings of discussion, learning and inspiration as members heard from local industry leaders and the journeys they have been on. We carried this theme into the 2023 series, where we saw events take place again in Auckland and Christchurch.

“A great mix of speakers with different stories and experiences to share and learn from. Great to see the in-person event so well attended too. Thanks for organising Generate.”

– 2022 Auckland Breakfast Attendee

"The speaker's diverse experiences across recreation and other industries provided plenty of learning and laughs. Following the panel discussion, participants were able to connect with one another over coffee and kai, discussing their experiences and connecting with others in attendance. A big thank you to our guest speakers for giving your time to share your story with our audience, and to CLM who sponsored the morning providing both the venue and the beautiful breakfast from their inhouse café."

- Jason Husband, Generate NZ Steering Committee & 2023 Auckland Breakfast Event Organiser

The 2023 Ōtautahi Generate NZ ‘Stories of our sector’ breakfast attracted close to 40 recreation professionals and students from around the region. It was hosted at Ngā Puna Wai with kai sponsored kindly by Sport Canterbury. The breakfast focused on allowing recreation professionals and students to connect, hear from others in the sector and also create dialogue on the challenges and opportunities that the sector faces moving forward. We heard from three amazing professionals, who were all in different areas of the sector, at different stages of their career with vastly different journeys. From how they got into the sector, mentors that have helped them along the way to what they see as the biggest issues facing the sector, all left the audience plenty to discuss.

"One of my highlights at Green Pavlova was the Generate Breakfast, not only was the food simply delicious, but I really enjoyed the chat by the Otago University Lecturer. It was great to have him share his knowledge and wisdom, talking to practical ways of wellbeing and how our sector can impact this. I also really valued the connections and speakers at this breakfast because they were relatable, having been or currently are young people in the industry, and this was only reiterated in the final Young People’s panel discussion. They understood and answered our questions as honestly and truthfully as they could and I valued the authenticity."

The 2022 Dunedin Breakfast was hosted during Green Pavlova Conference.

- Ella Brown, Sport Otago

kitairewaai KiutatAreiai,

8TH & 9TH SEPTEMBER 2022

In September 2022, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland welcomed recreation professionals from across the motu to our annual two day conference which supports Generate's kaupapa 'to provide a launch pad for up and coming professionals'.

The whakataukī - ki uta tārei ai, ki tai rewa ai, guided our conference. The whakataukī is likened to the build and floating of a traditional waka. Onshore is symbolic of home and the sea symbolises the greater world – “How can we prepare now to ensure we succeed in the future”.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers, learn tools to enhance their career, and network with like-minded industry professionals.

PREPARED ONSHORE TO SAIL AT SEA

Day two of the conference afforded attendees an opportunity to explore recreation in Māngere. Attendees were bussed out from the city, followed by a mountain bike over the newly completed Ngā Hau Māngere Bridge Project and around the esplanade before a tour of the facilities and operations of the Ambury Farm by the Auckland Council Park Rangers.

"I think the networking was the highlight. It was really inspiring to be able to talk to like-minded people who are so clearly passionate about their roles."

- Conference Attendee

"A highlight for me was the Mana Taiohi workshop with Ara Taiohi, presented by Simon Mareko. Young people/rangatahi are a key focus for me in my mahi, and I enjoyed learning about the Mana Taiohi framework, and working through practical ways to embed this. "

- Leanne Hammersley, Christchurch City Council

In September 2022, we partnered with Lincoln University to run a Speed Meet before their annual Sport & Recreation Forum. This was an opportunity for networking, where professionals could share more about our sector with students, and students could connect with professionals to find out how to be more involved in the sector (and maybe even secure an internship!). We’ve partnered with Lincoln University to deliver this event for a number of years now. Many of our members studied at Lincoln, so we always enjoy giving back!

Generate NZ had a huge presence at Recreation Conference 2022! It was awesome to see lots of Generate NZ members (both past and present) come together in Whakatū Nelson in November 2022. A huge shout out to Recreation Aotearoa for putting on such a great conference!

ADVOCACY

Generate NZ plays a key role in advocating for up and coming recreation go-getters. We do this in a number of ways, but primarily through involvement in committees and on the Recreation Aotearoa Board.

Watene Hema and Elise Yule have both spent time on the Recreation Aotearoa Board over the past two years.

"We have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to sit on Recreation Aotearoa's Board as Aspiring Directors. It has been an eye opening opportunity and learning experience as we begin our governance journey. Thank you for providing this opportunity to provide a voice, fresh perspective and endless learning. The Board set a great example of what good governance looks like. It has been a privilege being exposed to their professionalism, strategic conversations and Recreation Aotearoa's bi-cultural journey as they lead the way in this space."

- Elise Yule

Cassie Horton was selected as Generate NZ’s representative on the Climate Change Working Group.

"I am looking forward to being part of the Working Group where I will be able to connect with and learn from other like minded professionals with a passion for sustainability and climate change.

I am also looking forward to represent Generate NZ through my contribution of my knowledge and perspective to the group and providing a Southland regional and recreational planning lens."

- Cassie Horton

We have Generate NZ representation on a number of Recreation Aotearoa Regional Advisory Groups. These groups provide an essential connection to the regions that Recreation Aotearoa serve, and it is a great way to keep connected to what is happening within the sector, as well as raise opportunities and sector trends As well as supporting the Generate kaupapa through having Generate members on the support from the Regional Advisory Groups when offering scholarships. We wouldn't be able to offer the amount and range of scholarships that we do, if it wasn't for the support of these committees.

If you are interested in what is going on in your local region, touch base with us and we can connect you in with the appropriate person.

SCHOLARSHIPS

We provide a number of scholarships throughout the year, often with the help of Recreation Aotearoa Regional Advisory Groups, to ensure go-getters have the opportunity to attend conferences.

G R E E N P A V L O V A

The Southern Committee of Recreation Aotearoa and Generate NZ provided scholarships for a few local go-getters to attend the Green Pavlova Conference in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

"The vast and varied topics that were covered helped me think on a much bigger scale which I found energising, especially working in a small community and team, but nevertheless a large region. I am so grateful to have my thought processes challenged whilst at the same time feeling encouraged to step outside the box with my thinking."

- Ella Brown, Sport Central (Sport Otago)

“The networking for me with local council, and councils in the North Island was invaluable, the kōrero with other play leads and advocates was inspirational. Being around passionate like minded people for 3 days was priceless as it gave me so much. Thank you for the scholarship to Green Pavlova 2022 and what Recreation Aotearoa is doing for our people is amazing

The keynote speakers on Marae Ora Kāinga probably left me with my most challenging thinking during Green Pav and even since the conference until this day We have culture, history and whānau belonging to these Marae for generations, are we doing enough for them?”

- Megan Dawson, Healthy Families Invercargill.

The Canterbury/Top of the South Committee of Recreation Aotearoa and Generate NZ provided a scholarship to Matthew de Vries to attend the Recreation Conference in Whakatū Nelson in November 2022.

"The information I was able to take from the conference will help to progress my career significantly. One piece of information that really resonated with me was the importance of narratives and storytelling. Each story you tell adds to the narrative we are trying to accomplish, by telling these stories we can help shape the narrative. I think this is hugely important within community engagement."

- Matthew de Vries, Sport

"A particular highlight for me was the ability to connect and network with likeminded professionals within the sector. There has been minimal face-to-face opportunities over recent times, so it was great to be able to foster new connections and meet new people who are at similar stages to me within their careers. Everyone I met was so passionate for their work and their communities, and sharing and bonding over this was fantastic. The field trip on the last day was a great way to wrap up the conference and explore the beautiful surroundings of Auckland. Going into a new work week, I have absorbed the learnings from this conference and have been re-energised for the work that I do in this sector. Thank you again for this opportunity, myself and my organisation are very appreciative. I will remember this Conference fondly, and hope to inspire others to attend as it is very worthwhile.”

- Leanne Hammersley, Christchurch City Council

(Sponsored by Canterbury Regional Committee)

“Despite only starting in the recreation space this year, I found the conference to be very thought provoking and inspiring, and it has left me with a lot to think about moving forward as I develop in this field

I found the theme of ‘Ki uta tārei ai, ki tai rewa ai – Prepared on shore to sail at sea’ to be quite profound and relevant, especially to those new to the recreation space but also to the recreation space as a whole. It was inspiring to see the support and drive to get more young people into the recreation space and preparing them to be leaders.

One thing that really stuck out to me was variety of roles the different attendees had, ranging from parks planning to contract work in the field. It exposed me to a range of roles that despite being encompassed by recreation, were completely different with different skill sets and goals.

I think the conference is great for anyone in the recreation space by providing different life stories, and fresh perspectives on work structure and community, and I am incredible grateful to have had this opportunity and be offered this scholarship.” - Jared

Perkins (Sponsored

by Southern Committee)