This is a story of inclusive growth through Marlborough Smart+Connected. This engagement programme brings together industry, community and Council to collectively tackle problems that cannot be solved by one group alone. Read on to learn why it won the Best Practise Premier Award at the 2019 Economic Development NZ Conference>>

For over 20 years, ACC has supported Safe Community coalitions to improve community safety and reduce injuries. Before making a strategic decision about this long-standing relationship, ACC wanted to have a strengths-based conversation about how to unlock the potential of Safe Communities. And that’s where Business Lab came in.

Five years ago we helped to establish a collaborative leadership group for Marlborough’s Forestry and Wood Sector. Since then, the group’s purpose had become uncertain. With our help, we strengthened the group and refreshed their mandate to lead the sector to add more value for their community.

How do you bring together a new group of young people from different cultures who don’t know each other well and have several language barriers? With games, creativity and a strengths-based approach. Learn more in this case study of a collaboration between Business Lab and five other community and government organisations.

Can councils devolve power to their communities while also decreasing rates? It almost seems too good to be true. But in this case study we share one of the most devolved council model of operations and governance in Australasia - in the Thames Coromandel district. If your council is considering how to devolve power to its community while also decreasing rates, this case study is for you.

Ten different government agencies - all with different priorities and limited resources. How do you help them partner with young people to set some clear priorities for improving the lives of young people? That was our challenge with the Top of the South Impact Forum.

The new Nelson Festivals Trust was facing the challenge of taking on the operation of a beloved festival that the Nelson City Council had operated for decades. We helped the new Board to involve the community in setting a new direction and a new way of working.

“Marlborough’s constricted labour market is starting to bite, and we think it’s time to bite back.” So read the tagline for the Smart+Connected Labour and Skills Programme. If you want to deeply understand how a council can partner with others to amplify its impact, this is the case study for you.

Nelson City Council approached Business Lab to support the creation of an Events Strategy for Nelson City. The purpose was to clarify the strategic aim and desired outcomes of events funding. By working with an Oversight Group, we helped to create a strategy that was accepted by the Council.

Rather than focusing on the “problems” in the community, Proud Papakura Proud focuses people on a positive vision for the future. By engaging the community in setting this vision, Proud Papakura Proud is going the distance.

The Ministry of Education engaged us to support local Kelston principals to create an education vision with the community. Kelston is projected to face significant growth and changing demographics over the next 20 years. A new vision for education was needed to address these changing demands.