Spanning from Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland to Ōtepoti, Dunedin, we’re a tight-knit and passionate team committed to community development and social justice in Aotearoa. We aim to bring the Neighbours Aotearoa kaupapa to life, working with everyday people to activate their knowledge and skills to better know their neighbour.
The Neighbours Aotearoa kaupapa is led by experienced Community Developer Cissy Rock since 2018. Cissy has been working alongside community for over 15 years in various roles with local government and community organisations.
Creative thinker, doer, prolific list maker.
Harriet is the project manager behind Neighbours Aotearoa - she makes sure everything happens when it should! Harriet has extensive experience working in the non-profit sector in marketing, fundraising, and event roles.
Regular walker, daily reader, thoughtful approach.
Duncan specialises in organisational development and advises on fundraising, budgeting, technology solutions and planning for Neighbours Aotearoa.
Project Facilitator - Participation Culture Project.
Lucy-Mary was a child & adolescent arts therapist before transitioning into the world of community development. She teaches regenerative development, faciliates development workshops for community organisations, manages community events, conducts community research projects, hosts community network conversations and has also worked on neighbourhood building and community centre management in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland city. Her passion is people weaving and walking alongside people of place, helping them discover the unique role they feel called to play in their community.
He tangata manaaki (supportive), pūkeke (tenacious) me hūmārie (easy-going)
Vinetta has a background in community building and development and loves to weave people and resources together to help projects flourish. She's just as comfortable on the ground helping the community make it happen as she is sitting around a table strategically planning.
Vinetta is supporting the Tāmaki Makaurau Connectors for this year's campaign
Illustrator, imaginative thinker, adventurer
Mel is the visual storyteller at Neighbours Aotearoa. With a keen eye for detail, Mel helps communicate Neighbours Aotearoa's values and messaging with fun illustrations and designs. bringing clarity and creativity to our brand.
