2008/09 Programme

Projects

Asian Bridge

'Asia /Bridge' speed dates Kiwi businesses with Asian investors by connecting people with business opportunities - growing Auckland's businesses in Asia.

Incorporates

• Asia|bridge internships

Focus

• International students
• Export focussed businesses

Objectives

• Work experience
• Asia readiness
• Connections

Focus

• Experienced business migrants
• Export focused businesses

Objectives

• Leverage experience
• Asia connections
• Credibility in market

Engaging with our Community

'Engaging with our community' has around 16 readers at the Onehunga Primary School. The volunteers are now being paired up with the teachers.

Around 40 students are able to benefit with the reading mileage that is offered through the vision of the project to: help schools make better use of their underutilized infrastructure, provide additional support to their teachers, resources and maintenance requirements.

People Valuing People

A collaborative project with Auckland's homeless, Auckland City Mission and Ngati Whatua o Orakei 'People valuing people' has partnered homeless a

The project has transitioned to Auckland City Mission and Ngati Whatua o Orakei with secure funding ensuring the projects sustainability.nd Ngati Whatua with over 6000 trees planted on Orakei Marae; vegetable gardens are currently producing plenty of produce and the homeless team maintain these twice weekly.

In total in 2009:

• 6000 native trees were planted
• 35 - 40 Homeless Aucklanders
• 6 Months 'Pilot' Produce Garden built
• 3 greatly enjoyed feasts and Hangi
• 2 community planting days
• 1 Powhiri
• 1 Vegetable Garden

All undertaken:

• alongside Ngati Whatua
• alongside the Auckland City Mission
• alongside community volunteers
• alongside children

WideGuides

To create and grow an organisation (WiSEGuides) that enables and manages volunteer contribution to certain services and key events in Auckland.

The pilot involved an 'honorary city ambassadors' type of services, through which our volunteer WiSE guides complemented the existing services of Tourism Auckland, as friendly, knowledgeable street guides around Auckland's CBD.

The wider vision is an organisation that manages the services of large numbers (over 1000 by 2011) of enthusiastic, interesting, knowledgeable volunteers for Auckland events and tourism opportunities, such as walking guides for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

It is intended that WiSE Guides be internationally recognised as a fantastic proposition for both volunteers and those requiring volunteers. This organisation will build on the success of the Blue Coats model used at Auckland Airport.

Volunteers are Aucklanders who are older or retired and are keen and capable of continuing to make a positive contribution to Auckland's communities. The pilot was seizing on just one small opportunity; there are many more amongst Auckland's many diverse communities.

In August 2011 WiSEGuides launched their third season with 70 volunteers.

The project was adopted by Tourism Auckland and ATEED. Cecil Potatau leads the volunteers. Ben, Ivan and Chris are still involved on the fringes. They have over 70 volunteers now.