What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

CCS Disability Action is the largest disability support and advocacy organisation in New Zealand, supporting people with impairments of any type. Our vision is that every disabled person/whānau hauā is interwoven into the lives of their whānau and community.

We were founded in 1935, in response to the polio epidemics impacting Kiwi children. Today, we provide direct support to around 5,000 children, young people, and adults. We tailor our support to individuals – supporting disabled people to increase the control and choice they have in their lives. We work in communities across the motu, even the remote ones, through our 17 branches from Northland to Invercargill.

We also run services, such as our free Library and Information Service, and the Mobility Parking Permit scheme which helps over 170,000 people to access their communities more easily.

As well as responding to the needs of today, we advocate for lasting change in society. Our subsidiaries, Lifemark and BarrierFree,

advocate for and provide universal design consultancy to improve the accessibility of New Zealand’s housing and built environments. We also lobby and advocate for local and national policies that ensure disabled people’s rights are upheld.

What gives you hope for the future?

Perceptions towards disability and disabled people have shifted considerably since CCS Disability Action was founded almost 90 years ago. We have come from a place where disabled people were routinely hidden away and segregated. Today, society has become more accepting of difference and diversity over time – this gives us hope for the future.

Disabled people are increasingly seen as leaders in their own lives and valued for the contribution they can bring to our families, communities, and society.

Models of thinking, such as the social model of disability, show us that disability is caused by the barriers in our physical and social environments, not by impairments. Removing these barriers creates equity and gives disabled people more independence, choice, and control in their lives.

This means that we do not have to wait for others to make New Zealand a more inclusive and equitable place. We can all play a role in creating a New Zealand where every disabled person/whānau hauā is interwoven into the lives of their whānau and community.

This opportunity to make an impact is empowering and exciting.

We are also motivated by making a difference in people’s lives. If you’re interested in learning more about our impact, you can read some of the stories of the people we support here: www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz/stories

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Creating sustainable revenue streams as a charity is an ongoing challenge. Particularly ensuring you can weather major policy, economic or environmental shifts without impacting the quality of support you offer.

Being able to demonstrate your need and impact to a wide range of stakeholders is key.

CCS Disability Action is fortunate to have established strong working relationships with a wide range of funders including the giving public, philanthropic, government and some commercial sources.

You can learn more about our strategic priorities here: www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz/strategic-priorities

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

CCS Disability Action works in partnership with many companies and organisations in our mahi as the largest disability support and advocacy organisation in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

We would love to hear from you if you’re interested in learning more about any of the following professional services:

Disability Awareness Training
Accessibility advice in the commercial or built environment.
Accessible housing development

Please contract training.national@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

You can find out more about partnering with us to make an impact at: www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz/corporate-support

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

We have recently been privileged to work with Steven Moe at Parry Field Lawyers as we work through the changes required by the new Incorporated Societies Act.

This provided CCS Disability Action with an opportunity to assess whether our governance arrangements and legal structure are still set up in the best way possible to meet our needs, and whether there are improvements that can be made.

In addition to working to assess our current legal structure and provide us with a range of options to consider, Steven worked to understand our vision and values. This allowed us to form and authentic partnership with Steven, focused on our potential to serve disabled people and families now and into the future. As well as feeling like Steven was committed to using his knowledge to make a positive difference for our organisation, we appreciated his ability to bring legal concepts to life through clear and effective communication. Thank you, Steven and Parry Field Lawyers, for your support.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

CCS Disability Action website

Facebook

Instagram

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

We are Auckland Church Network, an organic movement of churches and not-for-profits, working together for the spiritual & social flourishing of our city.

We’re involved in sparking & encouraging prayer movements in and for the city; we start, support & strengthen suburban-based pastors networks across the city; we are working with a wide-ranging cohort of denominations & churches to catalyse a church planting & multiplication movement; we lead & support initiatives that declare the name of Jesus over our city; and we inspire churches – in partnership with not-for-profits – to practically serve the poor & vulnerable in our city.

What gives you hope for the future?

There’s no doubt the COVID season was very challenging for the Church & her leaders. But emerging from that, there is a much greater desire for the Church to collaborate together to build God’s Kingdom. Leaders don’t want to compete; they want to partner & encourage one another towards flourishing. That’s a healthy change

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Get the right people around your governance table. And don’t be afraid to ask for help when setting up – there are willing experts to guide you through.

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

Auckland Church Network’s whole mission is about collaboration! It’s not about us; it’s about working in partnership with a belief that we truly are better together. For that to be so, three ingredients are essential amongst leaders: a generous & uncommon unity; a posture of humility; and a willingness to collaborate

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

A breeze. The Parry Field team were super quick to respond, and walked us through each stage of the process.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

Our website is https://w ww.aucklandchurchnetwork.nz/

And our social media platforms are here: Facebook; Instagram; YouTube

Get in touch via the website – we’d love to catch up for coffee and talk about partnering together.

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

Our Charity is called “Junior Community Sports Foundation”.

We carry out organised one day sports festivals connecting children, youth and whānau from across communities within NZ. With a focus of uniting people, no matter their socio economic status, geographical location or ethnic background, they will have the opportunity to participate in sport events that are not result driven.

What gives you hope for the future?

For all young children in NZ to participate in sporting festivals that build on the foundations of friendship, connections, enjoyment, engaging in a fun carnival type atmosphere.

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

The setting up of the charity takes a lot of unpacking and new learning. Understanding the process and having the right people to guide and support is key. Ensuring the trustees that you have invited to be part of the journey is really important to ensure you are having people that have the same vision and outcome, but also who bring another perspective.

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

We are open to anyone that can support us which will ultimately support our objective and goals for our communities.

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

We found Steven and Anne-Marie a pivotal part of this process. Both are always happy to unpack and clarify our thinking. Communication and collaboration was at the for front.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

We are currently in the process of applying for funding to set up a website however we can be contacted on juniorsportsfoundation@gmail.com

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

Our Charity is Hauora Aotearoa. Our kaupapa tackles the well-being crisis among our rangatahi and the burnout crisis among our school teachers. We currently work with 20 secondary schools across Aotearoa, delivering our Te Reo Hauora (The language of wellbeing) programme with rangatahi (age 13-16) in te Whanganui a-Tara (Wellington), Wairarapa, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), and Kirikiriroa (Hamilton).

What gives you hope for the future?

Every day in classrooms, we see the change that’s possible when our kaiako (teachers) and rangatahi (young people) learn simple hauora (wellbeing) practices.

Kaiako feedback: “Jase has a great way of relating to kaiako and seems to know the right way to express the real need for us to all take care of ourselves, so we can be better teachers for our rangatahi – ka rawe”.
Rangatahi feedback: “Me and my boys come to this session because we get some cool ideas for rugby. We do the breathing and talk about stuff now when we didn’t used to. These hauora tools are helping us outside of these sessions”

Imagine if Aotearoa was known for wellness rather than illness. We know it will take some time, but Hauora Aotearoa believes we can be a massive part of a massive generational change!

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

The admin and paperwork were the most challenging part of setting up a charity. Our Directors all live in different parts of New Zealand, so setting up bank accounts and signing paperwork was a barrier, especially as we were also on a timeline for launching the kaupapa. We were lucky to have a checklist from Steven and his team, so we took all the necessary steps chronologically.

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

If you know a school who thinks Te Reo Hauora would be helpful for their rangatahi and kaiako, please get in touch with our wonderful COO Dayna (mdayna@hauoraaotearoa.com).

If you want to support Hauora Aotearoa to reach more rangatahi and kaiako, please get in touch with our founder and co-CEO Jase Te Patu (jase@hauoraaotearoa.com).

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

Steven and his team were quick yet thorough, respectful, and honest when it came to setting up a charity that is kaupapa Māori. They made a challenging process easy and manageable to navigate.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

Our website is Hauora Aotearoa, and we are on Instagram and Facebook too.

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

We have two organisations:

Arotahi which works in NZ with Māori working with Māori through Māori Kaupapa, NZ based missional groups and flat based discipleship with young adults. Arotahi also supports pastor training, theological centres and church planting and development in Asia.

Develop Together is our aid and development arm working in education, health, community development, businesses in Asia.

What gives you hope for the future?

Hearing and seeing the heart, mahi and concern of young adults.
The work of indigenous peoples in the places we work as they take over leadership and ownership of projects and entities.
The trajectory of the Christian faith and the cosmos toward God’s great unitive point on the horizon.

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

It is all about great people who contribute in the right places. Leaders who can pioneer, push through difficulties and attract the support of others. People who can manage and do the work of governance so leaders can lead. It is all about finding the right people for the right roles.

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

Parry Field has worked with us in our general legal work, specific financial advice, employment and contractor support. Parry Field lead our successful application for overseas donor status (IRD schedule 32) and advised us on superannuation anomalies and policy development.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

www.Arotahi.org.nz

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

Upstream

What gives you hope for the future?

There are plenty of people that are not satisfied with the status quo and are doing something to make a difference. It’s encouraging to know that there are people out there that are fighting the good fight, so to speak. “When we WORK together, we can WIN together”.

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Don’t assume that when you set up your charity, that funders with fund you. It’s very difficult in the first 12 months to get grant funding & donations (as donee status can be delayed for sometime). Expect that first year is a grind, and you will approach it with determination.

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

We are looking for medium to large companies that are wanting to make an impact in their supply chains & gain impact reporting as a result …. if you know any of those, let them know about Upstream.

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

Steven’s knowledge of the charitable sector, and social enterprise entities was highly valuable. We had a real sense of peace that Parry Field knows what they are doing, and no questions we had, we considered silly. It’s very important to ensure your trust deed and terms are written well and accurately. Parry Field gave us that confidence and did not disappoint.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

upstream.co.nz

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

The Hyphen Project is a Charitable Trust that is establishing an innovative new learning institute for neurodivergent learners. It will run a talent incubator for gifted teens aged 16-19 years old who are autistic, have ADHD or dyslexia, and haven’t got on well with the mainstream education system. Our 6 month, full-time, face to face talent incubator will help them grow their strengths and transition into further study or employment. We’re starting with our pilot in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and hope to spread across New Zealand over time.

What gives you hope for the future?

Teenagers! They are compassionate, knowledgeable, accepting, proud and willing to be vulnerable.

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Biggest challenge is pitching for funding while knowing there are many other great charities out there that are also deserving.

My advice is to love your team.

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

Please give us a Hyphen High Five ($5) donation on our PledgeMe campaign to show that you are a neurodivergent ally!

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

Parry Field were outstanding to work with. They were like a supportive friend. They were exceptionally responsive, listened to what we needed, ‘got us’ quickly, and provided help above and beyond helping us write our trust deed.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

Check us out on thehyphenproject.org and search for us on LinkedIn and Facebook

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

Wētā Conservation Charitable Trust.

We are based in New Zealand and operate nationwide.

Involved in: education, conservation.

What gives you hope for the future?

To preserve New Zealand’s biodiversity so that wētā, grasshoppers and allied insects (Orthoptera) and their natural habitat are protected to benefit present and future New Zealanders.

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Writing the trust deed, setting up a bank account and applying for funds are the biggest challenges.

It’s a lot of work to start with, but very rewarding when you see it coming all together!

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

Steven and the team at Parry Field were fantastic to work with: friendly, competent, quick and really supportive, with plenty of really good advice and additional information.

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

Weta Conservation Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Case study of Collaboration: Home and Parry Field Lawyers

Business is about relationships. One that we’ve enjoyed growing is with Home. A building company with a difference, Home specialises in community and affordable housing developments where there is much more than just quality houses being constructed – but an additional focus on creating communities.

Every team from within our firm provides support in some way. This ranges from helping with drafting contracts, purchasing land, arranging financing, structuring, intellectual property and as Home’s vision has grown, even recently helping with the creation of Home Foundation: a charitable trust focussed on ending homelessness.

Those are just some examples of a deep relationship across the core areas where businesses like Home can use our legal support.

Home co-founder Israel Cooper says: “The team at Parry Field are a unique group of legal experts. Their approach to any legal situation is both strategic and relational, recognising that business is fundamentally about preserving relationships as much as possible. It is their character and the values to which they hold themselves that is their best attribute. People you want to have your back in any difficult situation. “

One of the reasons we enjoy supporting Home is that we can play a part through our legal services in addressing a pressing social need in our wonderful country: housing. This sense of purpose and a shared alignment of values has been essential to the relationship growing.

Chair of Partners at Parry Field Kris Morrison adds: “We have loved putting our skills and legal knowledge to use in supporting a for-purpose company like Home. Contributing to their work coincides with the social justice motivations which led many of us to become lawyers in the first place.”

Paul Nanai, the CEO of Home, comments: “The team at Parry Field have provided exceptional service and expert intervention across many facets of our Business. We can say, outcomes and success achieved are because of them. We honour and value the true partnership we have and their heart and approach with resolving issues. For us the journey and ‘how’ we get to a destination is just as important as the result itself. And Parry Field have made the journey a lot better for us”.

Partner Steven Moe remembers talking with co-founder Israel Cooper for his podcast seeds here and says: “The clear focus and vision that Israel shared for Home is inspiring and shines through – it makes me proud that we can be involved in that kaupapa”.

We participated in the creation of a video which tells the story of Home over the last 10 years which can be seen here:

This video emphasises how we started this case study – relationships, and how critical they are to good being done in our world.

While the housing crisis continues it is nice to know Home is working to do their bit to contribute solutions. Supporting them in what they do brings us satisfaction too.

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About Parry Field Lawyers: With 80 staff in four offices (Christchurch City, Riccarton, Hokitika and Rolleston) we have three main teams: Commercial, Property and Disputes. Within each of those areas we offer deep experience in areas like Employment, Family, Charity, Immigration, Estates, Subdivisions, Litigation, Leasing, Business sale and purchases and more. We welcome the chance to discuss how our team might support yours.

The Addington Farm is a not-for-profit urban farm that seeks to support the people and place of Addington so that it flourishes and grows in tūmanako (hope). Located in the suburb of Addington they have converted backyards of houses into places that grow vegetables for the community with volunteers helping to grow them.

Wilby Le Heux is the Farm Manager and he invited Steven Moe of Parry Field Lawyers, who has a focus on assisting purpose driven organisations, to help Addington Farm become a charitable trust. Steven and the Impact Team at Parry Field assisted Wilby to consider the different legal structure options and sources of income and then develop a trust deed that suited The Addington Farm’s structure and purposes.

The Farm had started in 2018 under the umbrella of another organisation but it was time to create their own identity legally and start something fresh. After considering the context and background, it was decided that a charitable trust would be best (how to set one up is set out in this article here).

Within a week Steven and law clerk Sophie Tremewan were visiting Addington Farm to have a tour of the urban farm and witness Wilby signing documents to incorporate the charitable trust (the visit is shown in the picture).

The Addington Farm involves the community to care for the mana of the whenua to promote principles of kaitiakitanga (stewardship), all the while allowing people from diverse backgrounds to connect and learn together https://addington.farm/

Farm manager Wilby Le Heux says “Parry Field Lawyers were incredibly supportive of our journey to set up a new charitable trust. They provided us the legal services and guidance to help us set up our own entity after outgrowing the umbrella services of another organisation.”

We enjoy collaborating with clients like this to help them set up and adopt structures that will suit them the best to achieve maximum impact. If you would like to talk with one of our team about how we could help you drop us a line.

For more information on charities, take a look at our handbook on Charities in New Zealand here.

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

Got any asks or ways you are looking for collaboration with others?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

What is your Charity called, where are you based and what sort of things are you involved in?

What gives you hope for the future?

Biggest challenges and any advice for others setting up or running a charity?

How was it working with us when setting up or getting legal advice?

How can people find out more about what you do? Website or social platforms?

Case study of Collaboration: Home and Parry Field Lawyers

Christchurch CBD

Christchurch

Rolleston

Hokitika