We have now held two People's Voice Forums, where people who inform decisions in ‘the system’ listen to whānau experiencing the system.
We know that the systems designed to support our community don't always work. The People's Voice Forums, held in March 2020 and August 2026, were an opportunity for those who make decisions to hear directly from whānau about how they’ve found solutions for themselves and their communities. They were the forum’s keynote speakers and they set the agenda.
The aim of the forums is to bring together people from across government, local government, funding, research, community organisations and the wider social sector. They can hear from those with lived experience, learn alongside one another, and explore what happens when whānau and communities are trusted to lead.
Over many years, we have learnt that change isn't something we do to people. It happens through relationships. It grows when people have the space to exercise their own rangatiratanga and when systems are willing to listen, adapt and work differently.
The forums aren't about finding easy answers. They're about sitting with the complexity of this work, sharing honest conversations, and exploring how we can better support whānau and communities to shape their own futures.
Download a report from Peoples' Voice Forum 2026.
Download a report from People's Voice Forum 2020.
The previous two People's Voice Forums were very powerful and the feedback was very positive. We plan to hold more so if you want to be notified of the next one please get in touch: info@wesleyca.org.nz