As the Māori new year approaches, we begin to wind down from an incredibly jam-packed work year and take stock of the current context we find ourselves living and working within – we can see there is much to do. As we look ahead to our Investing in Impact Conference coming up in September, we are also looking back at 10 years as a network.
The rising of Matariki and the shorter days give us space to pause for a period of reflection, rest and celebration of what we have achieved so far. It’s now time to reset for the year ahead – where we can step back from the doing and get planning for the next phase of Social Value and impact measurement in Aotearoa.
Thinking back to 10 years ago, starting from scratch and carried by the spirit of kiwi ingenuity and indigenous wisdom, our team is feeling incredibly proud of the community and relationships that have fused around our national network that has contributed widely to the global conversation.
Social Value is all about accounting for the things that matter to our people and our planet – to whānau and Papatūānuku. It’s been 10 years since Social value Director, Jo Nicholson, set out to establish and nurture a network for Social Value in New Zealand and she reflects on the last decade of doing good and uncovering some beautiful stories of change through impact measurement. This Matariki period reminds us that it is our Aotearoatanga that carries our reputation as an innovative and influential network on the world stage.
The importance of this period is really about deepening our connection with the natural rhythms of the environment we live in. Puanga, also known as Rigel, is part of a bigger constellation that makes up a waka formation with the Matariki cluster at the front and Puanga at the back. This is a time for listening and reflecting, and when we take the time to do so, these stars can indicate important environmental cues as to how we can better live in tune with the natural world. It is also a time to remember and honour those who are no longer with us physically.
Look to these stars in the early morning sky as a reference point, a beginning, an end and the promise of another cycle. A place to cast our aspirations and then a guide moving us toward them.
Have a restful and connected Māori New Year and we look forward to hosting you soon at Investing in Impact!
Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga