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Kia Kotahi Ako

Spark students' solutions to a better future

About


Our purpose: positively disrupting inequitable systems in Aotearoa through targeted initiatives that enable the full potential of Māori.  

Mō Mātou | About us

Established in 2021, Kia Kotahi Ako (Learning As One) is an alliance of Edmund Hillary Fellows, activating education initiatives that will have the biggest impact for Papatūānuku (mother earth).
 
Kia Kotahi Ako serves as a catalyst for Māori to design, navigate and realise prosperous futures 

WHY? We have a climate crisis and an inequitable education system. We’re working to tackle both of these issues - together. We’d love your help. Read the full story here

Celebrating 3 Years 
We're excited to share our story celebrating the first 3 years of Kia Kotahi Ako and how leading through a kaupapa Māori approach can create the equitable outcomes we need for our schools, communities and Paptūānuku (Mother Earth). 

As we look to the next 3 years of Kia Kotahi Ako, plans are underway to raise NZD $1 million for 2025-2027 programme delivery and business development with a goal of NZD $400k for 2025. This will mobilise resources (skills, funds, connections, storytelling and sharing learnings) to support mana motuhake (self determination) for Māori communities, and disrupt inequitable systems to benefit Papatūānuku (Mother Earth).

2025 programme goals 

1. Expanding community Solar education- this flagship initiative focuses on achieving energy sovereignty (Mana Motuhake) and enhancing wellbeing for Māori communities through climate education, solar system design, and community action. 
  • Taranaki: expanding and developing this solar education programme to 4 kura kaupapa Māori (Māori immersion schools) and their communities.   
  • Te Tairāwhiti East Cape: developing community resilience through adult solar education programmes that develop solar business prototypes in 4 communities and expanding to 2 kura (schools). 

2. New site for Te Pā Wānanga- 21st century Māori Learning village   
  • Ōtautahi Christchurch: This unique 21st-century Māori learning village integrates mātauranga Māori-centred education, wellness facilities, gardens, rongoā (traditional healing) orchards, and staff housing to support health for people and Papatūanuku. We're supporting their team with advice, connections and funding to accelerate their vision and purchase land at a new site. 

3. Building a sustainable social enterprise
  • We are planning a feasibility study into potential ideas for sustainable revenue for Kia Kotahi Ako. This would be setting up a linked social business that also contributes to our overall vision, covering the majority of our operating costs in future. 

2025 budget
Firstly, we are raising NZD $400k (US$250k) to achieve our 2025 goals. In future years we are aiming for more of the programme costs to be covered by new revenue streams. 

  • $250k- for our team to design and deliver programmes, enable long-term community change, deepen our relationships with partners and share community success stories and learnings. 
  • $25k- additional specialist programme support e.g. resource translation, design and evaluation.
  • $20k- for programme travel and workshop resources.
  • $50k- for a feasibility study and to set up a social enterprise.
  • $35k- for our operating expenses (incl. travel, training, office space, insurance and subscriptions).

As you know, we are a lean team with 2 FTE employees, 2 part time staff, an amazing group of volunteer board members, advisors and champions alongside additional specialists as required. In 2025, we have also budgeted for an additional $50k of staff time for training more local facilitators and community leaders to run programmes. 

 Reach out to: [email protected] if you would like to see further budget details or specific projects. details behind this budget and our vision or to get involved with our mahi.  

Remember that for Edmund Hillary Fellows, philanthropic funding counts towards PRV points and we are happy to chat through this more with you. 


*Note our budgets are indicative and will be adjusted to have the biggest impact. All donations made are unrestricted funding. 

Our team

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Projects

Support the following initiatives from Kia Kotahi Ako.

Project
Te Pā students are global finalists in the Zayed Sustainability Prize. They need your help to tra...

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Project
Send students to represent their region at National Kapa Haka Competition

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Financial Contributions

Goal
Yearly Supporter

Your yearly committment means we can focus our efforts on supporting community projects that will change the system and improve humanity and the pl... Read more

$0.00 NZD of $400,000 NZD / year raised (0%)

Starts at
$5,000 NZD / year

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Be the first one to contribute!
Goal
Monthly Supporter

Your recurring monthly donation means we can focus our efforts on supporting community projects that will change the system and improve humanity an... Read more

$0.00 NZD of $400,000 NZD / month raised (0%)

Starts at
$20 NZD / month

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Be the first one to contribute!
Goal
One-off donations

With your donation, we can kick-start and incubate more initiatives tackling climate change and improving health and wellbeing through education an... Read more

$128,018.59 NZD of $400,000 NZD raised (32%)

Starts at
$1 NZD

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+ 1

Kia Kotahi Ako is all of us

Our contributors 15

Thank you for supporting Kia Kotahi Ako.

Sarah Grant

Admin

$10,001 NZD

huia lambie

Core Contributor

Joanne McEachen

$30,000 NZD

Satya Kumar

$30,000 NZD

Richard Bodo

$21,000 NZD

Homai School

$17,860 NZD

Anonymous

$10,000 NZD

Tim Derrick

$5,000 NZD

Heather

One-off donations

$500 NZD

Connect


Let’s get the ball rolling!

News from Kia Kotahi Ako

Updates on our activities and progress.

Kia Kotahi Ako - Impact Report

Impact Opportunity · “We are also raising awareness of the ever-increasing importance of rising to opportunities for meaningful change in ways that, led by a kaupapa Māori approach, can create equitable solutions i...
Read more
Published on June 10, 2024 by Te Waiora Wanoa-Sundgren

Sharing a solar-powered future

Kia Kotahi Ako Trust, an alliance of EHF Fellows, is at the forefront of solar-powered education in Aotearoa NZ, drawing on indigenous knowledge to tra...
Read more
Published on June 10, 2024 by Te Waiora Wanoa-Sundgren

Karanga Mai Taranaki...

Kia Ora tatou, In March we were deeply privileged to host Hal Aronson, the co-founder and designer behind the solar suitcase kit at We Share Solar USA, Barry Neal, a dedicated board member championing the programme in Aotearoa, and Keith Sc...
Read more
Published on June 10, 2024 by Te Waiora Wanoa-Sundgren

Budget


Transparent and open finances.

+$100.00NZD
Completed
Contribution #804393
+$20.00NZD
Completed
Contribution #802976
+$5,000.00NZD
Completed
Added funds #802627
$
Today’s balance

$250,054.06 NZD

Total income

$256,059.06 NZD

Total disbursed

$6,005.00 NZD

Estimated annual budget

$500.00 NZD