What does it mean to be a social enterprise today? Is it about profit, purpose, or both? Steven Moe takes us through the various definitions. One of the comments I’ve heard about the social enterprise sector is that it’s unclear what the criteria is to be one. Ultimately, aren’t all businesses social enterprises? If nothing … Read more
Wanna run with the fast crew? Rebecca Stevenson takes a look at Deloitte’s Fast50 index to see how quickly Kiwi companies’ revenue is growing. To take a spot among the fastest growing companies in the country in 2017 businesses had to book revenue growth of 180% over three years. But are Kiwi companies growing faster than … Read more
They’re helping Mexican farmers grow sustainable coffee, but The Lucy Foundation’s next step is to give disabled Kiwis employment chances. Maria Slade caught up with founder Robbie Francis to find out how she is building a business model with inclusiveness at its core. Heaven knows how New Zealand would keep functioning if its citizens didn’t … Read more
Social enterprises are everywhere right now. But what are they? And how do we make sure they are not just businesses exploiting a trendy term? Lawyer Steven Moe outlines how social enterprise can become a legitimate force for good. When the poet Robert Frost published his most famous poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ in 1916, … Read more
Social enterprises often operate as limited liability companies, but new legal structures to govern them have been introduced in a number of countries. Lawyer Steven Moe argues we need these options in New Zealand. In the classic children’s story by Hans Christian Andersen, an emperor is given new clothes which are invisible to those who … Read more
The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) was hosted in Christchurch in the last week of September. Ākina Foundation CEO Alex Hannant looks back at the event and into the future of the social enterprise sector. Somewhere in the region of 1600 people attended the SEWF in Christchurch. It reached a further 3000 people through the … Read more
The Social Enterprise World Forum in Christchurch may be over, but the conversation continues on The Spinoff, with a list of the coolest Kiwi social enterprises selected by those in the know. Alex Hannant (Ākina Foundation) – Pomegranate Kitchen My favourite social enterprise…? Tough question – there are so many enterprises that I admire and … Read more
Eat My Lunch (EML) has changed the way New Zealanders think about where they buy their lunch and the power of their purchase. Rebecca Stevenson talks to founder Lisa King about the EML model, making a profit, and the company’s growth. When The Spinoff visited the Eat My Lunch kitchen early one Friday morning, … Read more
As part of the The Spinoff’s social enterprise series, Madeleine Chapman attempted to use only the most woke businesses for a week’s worth of consumption. It wasn’t easy but she was left uplifted. A week of living entirely from the fruits of social enterprises would be fun, is what I said aloud at work … Read more
Social enterprise is changing the way we consume. In a discussion with some of the most prominent players in the sector, The Spinoff asks: can we consume our way to a better society? The rise of social enterprise has become an important signal for the direction of our economy. As the sector continues its rapid … Read more
While the state has a responsibility to fund public services, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be delivering them. Jihee Junn reports on Social Enterprise UK CEO Peter Holbrook’s talk at the University of Auckland to find out what we can learn from David Cameron’s controversial 2010 project. Three years ago, the government announced its … Read more
In the fourth episode of our week-long series exploring the possibilities, challenges, and potential of social enterprise in New Zealand, our panel looks at what to expect in the next 10 years. Watch the rest of the series here. What is the vision? Slowly but steadily, social enterprise principles are becoming more mainstream. Nick Wells from Chapman … Read more
In the third episode of our week-long series exploring the possibilities, challenges, and potential of social enterprise in New Zealand, our panel looks at the political risks social enterprises face. Watch the rest of the series here. What are the political risks of operating in the social enterprise sphere? Lisa King from Eat My Lunch talks about … Read more
In the second episode of our week-long series exploring the possibilities, challenges, and potential of social enterprise in New Zealand, our panel asks: is consumerism the new politics? Watch the rest of the series here. Consumers making ethical choices are changing the market and the way companies operate in it. This has become a method … Read more
Today we launch a week-long series of videos and articles which explore the possibilities, challenges and potential of social enterprise in New Zealand. The first episode asks: is a charity also a social enterprise? The rise of social enterprise in recent years can be seen as an attempt by capitalism to self-medicate – fixing some … Read more
With the Social Enterprise World Forum in Christchurch from September 27 – 29, The Spinoff is examining the way the sector is changing our economy. Alex Hannant, CEO of the Ākina Foundation, spoke to Simon Day about the development of the socially conscious business in New Zealand. Should business be just about making money, or … Read more
Social enterprise – entrepreneurship that combines business nous with ethical aims – is on the rise. But is it anything more than a placebo effect that makes consumers momentarily feel good? Victoria Crockford finds if you want to remain relevant in 2017, you need to show your social credentials. “Be Here Now” encourages the worthy … Read more
Michelle Sharp was a corporate go-getter, working for Vodafone before co-founding a successful tech company. But the Kilmarnock Enterprises CEO says she found her path to happiness when she stepped off the business treadmill. Steve Jobs said “the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do”. … Read more
As iwi organisations grow, Chapman Tripp’s Nick Wells argues they should be establishing themselves as social enterprises to unlock their wealth for the greater good. The Māori economy is a significant part of New Zealand’s past, present and future. While I’m not Māori, my children are, so every time I work with iwi, and their … Read more