Interactionz

Collaboration to collabor-action – bringing the Wall Walk* to 70 participants from 17 Waikato community groups was a great opportunity to work on a shared project and explore best-practice ways of working together effectively.

See more about our collabor-action below.

*The Wall Walk looks at how historical Maaori-Crown relationships still shape our systems and communities in Aotearoa. www.thewallwalk.co.nz

Seed Waikato Community Waikato YWCA Waikato
Len Reynolds Trust

Walking & Working Together: Turning Collaboration into Collaboraction — Community Waikato | Capability and capacity building with community organisations The Wall Walk is designed for groups of 60 or more people. That's a big ask for many smaller community organisations. Rather than Seed Waikato simply organising an event and selling tickets, we put the call out for a Co-Creation Team to bring this kaupapa to life together.

Congratulations to Community Waikato on its first 25 years! Interactionz has enjoyed a long relationship with Community Waikato, particularly with our board chair Karen Stockmann, and we hope to continue working together as they journey to a half century of helping communities in the Waikato thrive. Ngaa mihi nui!

Happy Birthday to Interactionz’ Health and Safety partner, Safewise - Health and Safety! Such a wealth of experience built up over 18 years of helping SME businesses to stay safe and informed. Thank you for your ongoing wise and cheerful support!

www.interactionz.org.nz
www.safewise.co.nz


Image Description: Members of the Safewise team pose for a selfie photo as they celebrate 18 years of business.

Safewise turned 18 years old yesterday! 🥳

Thank you to all of our amazing clients, Safewise wouldn't be the same without you.
Here's to many more years to come!

Happy birthday Safewise 😊

Meet the Candidates Event. An event by the Enabling Good Lives Waikato Leadership Group (EGL Waikato - Leading Change)

Sunday 27th September
1:30pm to 3:30pm
Pukete Neighbourhood House, 43 Church Road, Pukete

A Q&A session with local candidates to understand what each party represents for the disability sector, and support to enrol to vote.

Light refreshments provided, and NZSL interpreters will be available.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

Last week, Interactionz took part in a Laughing Yoga session, led by certified practitioner Nigel Murugesh (pictured front left).

Nigel says laughter truly is good medicine. The benefits of Laughing Yoga include boosting mood, reducing stress, strengthening the immune system, and increasing feel-good hormones like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.

www.interactionz.org.nz


Image Description: Photo of the Interactionz team members , Nigel and his laughing yoga assistant Mangay

Today is Waitangi Day, a day to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a foundational document which formalised the relationship between Maaori tangata whenua and the British Crown. It is not a constitution or a statute, but an exchange of promises.

If you’ve ever wondered about its irregular shape, the treaty was written on parchment (stretched animal skin) which has been nibbled by rodents. You can see the original document in the Te Tohu exhibition housed in the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa in Wellington.

Today is about learning, reflecting, and doing our part to honour Te Tiriti in everyday ways.

Huge thanks to Fergus Bar and Kitchen, especially Abby and the team, for hosting Interactionz so generously across the day and into the evening at our December 2025 year-end event.

We’re incredibly grateful for how accommodating the team were in helping us create a space that felt welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.

The platters were amazing, the service was thoughtful, and the atmosphere was exactly what we hoped for.

Thank you for supporting our kaupapa and helping us create a space where everyone felt comfortable and included 💫

www.interactionz.org.nz
www.fergusbar.co.nz



Image Descriptions:
Photo 1: A staff member carrying a wooden platter with cheese, cured meats, crackers, and fruit, being served to guests at tables.

Photo 2: High tables and stools lined along tall windows inside Fergus Bar & Kitchen, showing a warm, welcoming space set up for guests.

Photo 3: A large group of people seated and standing inside a bright, modern venue, listening and connecting during an Interactionz event.

As we step into 2026, we’re reflecting on a year that shaped us through change, learning, and connection.

In 2025, Interactionz was proud to be part of sector-wide kaupapa led by LEAD Centre for Not for Profit Governance & Leadership, bringing the NFP community together for honest koorero and collective strength during a time of real pressure.

Gathering with more than 80 leaders — and reflecting alongside Hildy Gottlieb was a powerful reminder of the resilience, heart, and possibility that live across our communities.

We enter 2026 grounded, connected, and optimistic about the ripple effect created when people come together with purpose.

www.interactionz.org.nz



Image Descriptions
Picture 1 - Hildy stands beside a flipchart during a workshop, speaking to a group. The flipchart reads “What would it take?” with notes about actions and conditions, set against a patterned fabric backdrop.

Picture 2 - A small group sits around a table in discussion, sharing ideas and notes during a workshop, while other people can be seen standing and talking outside through large windows in the background.

Picture 3 - Dylan draws illustrations and words on a large whiteboard, capturing ideas about trust, relationships, and change through hand-drawn visuals and text.

Last year, we were proud to celebrate alongside Community Networks Aotearoa (CNA) as they marked 50 years of community-led mahi across Aotearoa. 🎉

Hui25 highlighted the power of connection and shared stories. Naming impact matters — it helps our mahi be seen, understood, and valued.

Looking back, we’re grateful to be part of this network. Looking ahead, we’re excited to keep supporting strong connections and shared futures ✨

www.interactionz.org.nz
www.communitynetworksaotearoa.org.nz



Image Description:
Photo 1 - A large group of people smiling and celebrating together in a historic hall, many with hands raised, marking CNA’s 50th birthday at Hui25 with a strong sense of connection and community.

Photo 2 - A celebration table with a large 50th birthday cake and matching cupcakes, some already cut and served, marking CNA’s milestone anniversary.