McGuinness Institute Te Hononga Waka
1. Business / Trading Name: McGuinness Institute Te Hononga Waka (operating under the legal name McGuinness Institute Limited. Form s the Sustainable Future Institute until 2012.
2. Company Number: 1538950
3. NZBN: 9429035262381
4. Entity Type: New Zealand Limited Company (registered charity wholly owned by a charitable trust (see below) and operates as a non-profit think tank.
5. Business Classification: Not a commercial business – registered as a charity undertaking research and public policy advocacy (education/research sector). Primary activities: providing policy advice, research, and advocacy in the public interest.
6. Industry Category: Public policy research (think tank). Listed industry on LinkedIn as “Research”. focusing on long-term national planning and sustainability.
7. Year Founded: 2004. (Initially established as Sustainable Future Institute in 2004, rebranded in 2012).
8. Addresses:
• Physical Office: Level 1A, 15 Allen Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.
• Postal Address: PO Box 24222, Manners Street, Wellington 6142, NZ.
• Registered Office: c/o BDO Wellington, Level 1, 50 Customhouse Quay, Wellington 6011 (accountants’ address for official notices).
9. Website URL:
http://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/
.
10. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcguinness-institute.
11. C NZ URL: Entry on CompanyHub directory: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429035262381 (lists company number, status, dir .).
13. Social Media URLs:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McGuinnessInstitute (official page, charitable trust)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcguinnessinstitute
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/McGuinnessInstitute (McGuinness Institute channel)
14. Ultimate Holding Company: The McGuinness Foundation Trust (Charitable Trust, registration CC10457) is the controlling parent entity.This private trust owns 100% of McGuinness Institute Limited.
15. Key Shareholders: The McGuinness Foundation Trust holds 100% ownership of McGuinness In ed. (Wendy McGuinness and Mark McGuinness, as trustees of the trust, are the beneficial owners.)
16. Leadership: Wendy Louise McGuinness – Founder and Chief Executive (Director of the company since 2004. Mark Daniel McGuinness – co-founder (Trustee of the Foundation Trust, providing governance oversight. No formal board of directors apart from Wendy; trustees of the Trust (Wendy and Mark) effectively govern the organisation.
17. Staff: ~10–15 staff members. Current team includes senior researchers and support staff: e.g. Josie McGuinness (Senior Research Analyst), Paddy Shonakan, Arne Larsen, Molly Woods, Helena Palmer (Senior Research Analysts); Mani McDougall, Siena McGuinness (Research Analysts); Lauren Hynd (Head Designer); Lucy Roughan (Designer); Talia Maddock (Office Assistant). (Notably, multiple members of the McGuinness family are on staff.)
18. Staff with Previous Government Roles: No current employees with publicly disclosed prior government official roles. Wendy McGuinness herself worked as a consultant on government financial reforms in the late 1980s (contributing to the Public Finance Act 1989 implementation, but she did not serve as a civil servant. The team primarily consists of early-career researchers, some of whom have since moved into public sector or policy roles after their tenure at the Institute.
19. Past Employees: The Institute has employed numerous researchers and interns since 2004. Many have gone on to other policy, academic or government positions. For example, Jessica Prendergast (participant in Institute projects and former staff) later worked in futures research. Roger Dennis (listed as a “patron” and collaborator) has been associated with the Institute’s projects. Turnover is typical of a small think tank, with alumni network spread across government, NGOs and academia. (No official public list of alumni is maintained.)
20. Clients: Not applicable. The McGuinness Institute does not operate on a client-service model. It is a non-profit think tank funded by donations and grants, producing public-good research rather than consulting for paying clients. (Its “clients” are effectively the New Zealand public and policymakers who consume its research.)
21. Industries/Sectors Represented: None specifically. The Institute does not represent industry interests; it presents itself as serving the public interest in areas of governance, sustainability, and long-term planning. Its work spans multiple sectors (economic development, environmental policy, education, etc.) but it is not a lobby group for any particular industry.
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: The Institute openly publishes its submissions to government consultations and inquiries. Notable engagements include: written and oral submissions to Parliament on the proposed Natural and Built Environments Act and related resource management reforms; an oral submission on the Water Services Entities Bill in 2022; input to the Tax Working Group in 2018; and numerous policy submissions on climate change legislation, environmental management, civics education, and more (all available on its website). The Institute’s Chief Executive has also presented to Select Committees and government advisory panels in person. (All these engagements are self-disclosed on the Institute’s publications page.)
23. Affiliations: The McGuinness Institute is networked with various **futures and policy organization the New Zealand chapter of the World Future Society (WFS) in 2010, connecting it to an international futurist community. Wendy McGuinness is an individual member of the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) and of the Association of Professional Futurists, indicating active involvement in global futures research circles. Domestically, the Institute often partners informally with universities, industry experts, and other NGOs for its projects (for example, collaborating with scholars and professionals who serve as external reviewers or contributors to Institute publications). (It maintains an extensive list of external reviewers and “patrons” which includes academics, former public officials, business and community leaders.)
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations: The Institute frequently collaborates with government agencies and other organisations on events and research. Notably, it co-hosted foresight workshops with the New Zealand Treasury – e.g. the *ForesightNZ outh workshops on future policy were run in partnership with Treasury in 2016 and 201 t has also worked with local district councils (e.g. coordinating the TacklingPovertyNZ regional workshops alongside city mayors). In the private sector, the law firm Simpson Grierson sponsored/hosted the Institute’s 2018 workshops on climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD), providing venues and support. The Institute’s office space and operations have been partially supported by Willis Bond & Co, a property development firm led by Mark McGuinness – Willis Bond has provided in-kind support for office rent and made donations to the Institute. These collaborations and sponsorships are typically project-specific and are acknowledged in the Institute’s reports or events materials, though the Institute emphasises that it remains independent in its research.
25. Events: The Institute has organised many high-profile events and workshops:
• Project 2058 Launch & Conferences (2008–): multi-year programme of reports on NZ’s long-term future.
• StrategyNZ: Mapping Our Future (2011) – a national workshop on long-term strategy involving young leaders and experts.
• EmpowerNZ (2012) – a constitution hop for youth, whose outcome was a draft constitution for NZ.
• TacklingPovertyNZ (2015–2016) – a series of workshops across seven regions address esentation of findings at Parliament’s Banquet Hall in Dec 2015 and a 2016 rtnership with local councils.
• ForesightNZ (2016) – a futures-thinking workshop with 36 young participants, co-developed with Treasury, producing “ForesightNZ Playing Cards” as a tool for strategic conversations.
• WakaNZ (2017) – four-day workshop on Māori and Pasifika futures (run in collaboration with Treasury).
• Climate Change & Reporting Events (2018–2020) – e.g. TCFD implementation workshops in Auckland and Wellington featuring the Climate Change Minister and inte experts, and conferences on climate risk disclosure.
• Nation Dates book launches – publishing significant historical timelines for NZ (first ed. 2011, second ed. 2018.
• GDS Index launches (2015–2023) – events releasing the Government Department Strategies Index reports to public sector audiences.
(These events are a core part of the Institute’s influence strategy, bringing together stakeholders and often generating media coverage or formal reports.)
26. Political Donations: None disclosed. As a registered charity, McGuinness Institute does not donate to political parties or candidates – doing so would fall outside its charitable purpose. A search of New Zealand Electoral Commission donation records shows no donations recorded under the Institute’s name, nor under “McGuinness Institute” generally. The founders (Wendy and Mark McGuinness) are not publicly known as major political party donors. Any financial contributions to politics, if made, are not in the public domain. (Instead of direct donations, the Institute channels its political influence through research and advocacy, as noted above.)
27. Controversies: There have been no major public scandals involving the McGuinness Institute. However, observers have noted potential conflicts and criticisms: The Institute’s governance is effectively a family-run affair (husband-and-wife trustees, with two McGuinness family members in staff roles), which raises questions about nepotism and independence. Some in the transparency community point out that the Institute’s substantial influence on policy occurs outside any formal lobbying transparency regime, since New Zealand lacks a lobbyist register – this absence of oversight itself is a point of concern the Institute’s work indirectly highlights. Additionally, the Institute’s dual role as an “independent” charity but one funded almost entirely by its wealthy founders has drawn scepticism from some quarters; critics argue this could align its agend e interests, although the Institute insists its motives are public-spirited. No formal complaints or legal issues are recorded against the Institute, but the lack of external board oversight and its reliance on private funding are frequently cited as soft governance risks (integrity issues) in commentary about think tank transparency. (In summary, the controversies are more about perception and potential conflicts – e.g. insular governance, undisclosed influence – rather than any overt misconduct.)
28. Other Information of Note:
• Name Change Rationale: The organisation’s name change in 2012 from Sustainable Future Institute to McGuinness Institute was reportedly made on the advice of the late Sir Paul Callaghan (who served as a mentor and was named a patron of the Institute), aiming to increase its visibility and emphasise the family’s long-term commitment.
• Project 2058: The Institute’s signature initiative, Project 2058, is a comprehensive research programme started in 2008 focusing on New Zealand’s development through to the year 2058. This includes a series of reports, working papers and tools (e.g. futures scenarios) that form the strategic backbone of much of the Institute’s work.
• Publications: The Institute is prolific for its size – producing policy reports, working papers, think-pieces, and even books on topics ranging from climate change risks to governmental strategic planning. It maintains an open-access library of over 100 publications on its website. It also curates the Nation Dates chronology of NZ history and a significant reference library (the James Duncan Library) to support its research.
• Patrons and Advisors: A number of prominent New Zealanders are informally associated as “patrons” or supporters of the Institute’s work – including scientists, former government officials, local body leaders and businesspeople. These individuals often participate in events or peer-review the Institute’s work, lending credibility and networks, though they do not appear on official records.
• Media Profile: The Institute is occasionally cited in media as an independent voice on policy issues. For example, during the COVID-19 response it advocated for transparency around medical supplies and was quoted urging hospitals to release PPE stock levels.It also regularly issues press releases and open letters to government (archived on its site) to garner public attention on niche issues like government department strategy reporting or one-off topics (e.g. seabed mining, genetic modification regulation).
• Integrity and Values: The McGuinness Institute brand stresses non-partisanship and long-term thinking. It publishes an Annual Integrated Report combining financials and impact measures, voluntarily adopting integrated reporting principles for transparency. Despite its small scale, it aspires to model good governance practices in its publications (for instance, by disclosing related-party transactions in its reports). Critics note, however, that in practice its accountability is primarily internal.
29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: No explicit record found. The Institute does not publicly report receiving the COVID-19 wage subsidy. Its financial statements for 2020–2021 (during the pandemic) do not list government COVID support as a separate line item, suggesting it may not have appl eived wage subsidies. Moreover, the McGuinness Institute Limited is not readily identifiable in the Ministry of Social Development’s published lists of wage subsidy recipients (which were dominated by private firms). It is possible the Institute avoided the subsidy, relying instead on its trust funding to retain staff, or any subsidy received was below public reporting thresholds. (In contrast, the Institute actively studied and reported on other entities’ use of the wage subsidy, consistent with its role in scrutinising governance practices.)
Sources:
[1] Charity Summary: McGuinness Institute Limited (CC21440) – Charities Services, Department of Internal Affairs (NZ), https://register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC21440 (Provides official registration details: founded 2008, formerly Sustainable Future Limited until 2012, charitable purpose and control by McGuinness Foundation Trust).
[2] McGuinness Institute – Companies Office Listing – New Zealand Companies Office, https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/1538950 (Confirms Company #1538950, NZBN 9429035262381, incorporation 23 Jul 2004, previous name Sustainable Future Limited, sole director Wendy McGuinness, no ultimate holding company on record).
[3] People – McGuinness Institute (About Us) – McGuinness Institute (official website), https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/about-us/people/ (Lists current staff and roles; shows Wendy McGuinness as Chief Executive and multiple McGuinness family members on staff; provides contact/address info).
[4] Charity Summary: The McGuinness Foundation Trust (CC10457) – Charities Services, Department of Internal Affairs (NZ), https://register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC10457 (Shows the charitable trust that funds the Institute; trustees are Mark and Wendy McGuinness since 2007, name changed from NZ Sustainable Future Foundation Trust to McGuinness Foundation Trust in Feb 2012).
[5] Annual Integrated Report 2017/2018 – McGuinness Institute Limited – McGuinness Institute (2018), Note 10: Related Parties, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AIR-2018-AnnualReport20172018-FINAL.pdf (Financial disclosures that the McGuinness Foundation Trust owns 100% of the company and donated $539,450 in 2018; also that Wendy McGuinness is director of Mackford Holdings No.5 which loaned $357k interest-free; Willis Bond & Co (her husband’s company) paid $75k of occupancy costs as donation in 2018, after donating $110k in 2017).
[6] Covid-19 lockdown day 2: More cases and demand for protective clothing – RNZ News, 26 March 2020, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412787/covid-19-lockdown-day-2-more-cases-and-demand-for-protective-clothing (Reports the McGuinness Institute’s call for hospitals to release stocktake of PPE during the first lockdown, illustrating the Institute publicly lobbying for transparency during Covid-19).
[7] EmpowerNZ – Draft Constitution – EmpowerNZ website (McGuinness Institute project site), 2012, https://empowernz.co.nz (Details the August 2012 youth workshop on NZ’s constitutional future hosted by the Institute; notes that the initiative was privately funded and independent of the government’s Constitutional Advisory Panel, and that a draft constitution and submission were produced by participants).
[8] Submissions – McGuinness Institute – McGuinness Institute (official website), https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/publications/submissions/ (Repository of all policy submissions made by the Institute up to present, including submissions in 2021–2025 on environmental legislation, economic policy, etc., demonstrating the breadth of issues and frequency of lobbying through submissions).
[9] Wendy McGuinness – Submission to the International Integrated Reporting Council – (Excerpt in “Microsoft Word - 287_McGuinness Institute.pdf”), IIRC Consultation, July 2013, via integratedreporting.org, https://integratedreporting.ifrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/287_McGuinness-Institute.pdf (Highlights Wendy McGuinness’s background: notes she worked on Public Finance Act 1989 implementation and ran McGuinness & Associates consultancy, showing her ties to public sector reform and accounting profession).
[10] McGuinness Institute celebrates 20 years – (Event listing, 25 Nov 2024) List of all past events, McGuinness Institute website, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/events/list-of-all-past-events/ (Records a 20-year anniversary event in Nov 2024 with patrons, staff, friends – marking the Institute’s longevity and stakeholder network).
[11] World Future Society & WFSF affiliations – McGuinness Institute Annual Report 2017/18, McGuinness Institute, 2018, pp.21-22, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AIR-2018-AnnualReport20172018-FINAL.pdf (Describes how in 2010 the Institute became NZ chapter of the World Future Society; Wendy’s participation in WFS conferences and memberships in World Futures Studies Federation and Association of Professional Futurists, indicating global futurist network ties).
[12] TacklingPovertyNZ workshop series (2015–2016) – List of all past events, McGuinness Institute, 2016, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/events/list-of-all-past-events/ (Shows the timeline of workshops in Queenstown and six other regions, plus a finale presentation in Parliament’s Banquet Hall on 9 Dec 2015, and a meeting of mayors with Hon. Bill English in Nov 2016 – evidence of the Institute facilitating direct engagement between local leaders and central government on poverty issues).
[13] WakaNZ workshop (2017) – collaboration with Treasury – List of all past events, McGuinness Institute, Nov 2017, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/events/list-of-all-past-events/ (Notes a four-day “WakaNZ: Navigating with foresight” workshop in Nov 2017 hosted by the Institute in collaboration with the New Zealand Treasury, demonstrating the Institute’s close working relationship with a central agency on long-term policy involving Māori and Pasifika youth).
[14] TCFD Workshops (2018) – Hosted by Simpson Grierson – List of all past events, McGuinness Institute, June 2018, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/events/list-of-all-past-events/ (Details the Institute’s “Practical steps for implementing TCFD (climate-related financial disclosures)” workshops in 2018, featuring Minister James Shaw and international speakers, with thanks to law firm Simpson Grierson for hosting – showing corporate sponsorship of Institute events and the Institute convening key policymakers and stakeholders on emerging regulation).
[15] Tax Working Group Public Submission – McGuinness Institute – Tax Working Group (NZ Govt) website, Sep 2018, https://taxworkinggroup.govt.nz/3986973-mcguinness-institute.html (Lists the Institute’s submission to the TWG, dated May 2018, as a publicly received document; signals the Institute’s input on tax policy, which included advocating environmental taxes and intergenerational equity considerations).
[16] On Think Tanks profile – McGuinness Institute – On Think Tanks (think tank directory), 2020, https://onthinktanks.org/think-tank/mcguinness-institute/ (Describes the Institute’s mission, principles and areas of focus; confirms its non-partisan stance, focus on sustainability and long-term benefits for all NZ, and methods like amplifying youth voices and evidence-based research. Also provides an older address and reiterates its independent status).
[17] NZ Herald – “Who’s who in Tory Whanau’s new business group” – NZ Herald Premium, 14 Feb 2023, (Excerpt), https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/sharesies-willis-bond-yu-mei-whos-who-in-wellington-mayor-tory-whanaus-new-business-group/CMZX24KJ2ZHQJPBG5XDE6AP5WA/ (Profiles members of the Wellington Mayor’s advisory group including Mark McGuinness of Willis Bond; notes Mark’s background, thereby illustrating his standing in civic/business affairs and indirectly the clout behind the Institute’s funder).
[18] Charities Services Register – Purpose and Structure (McGuinness Institute Ltd) – Charities Register, DIA (NZ), https://register.charities.govt.nz/CharitiesRegister/ViewCharity?accountId=2fbda7d8-fe89-dc11-98a0-0015c5f3da29 (Outlines the Institute’s charitable purpose: “a non-partisan think tank applying hindsight, insight and foresight…” and shows its structure: Wendy as Chief Executive with 7–15 staff and controlled by the McGuinness Foundation Trust).
[19] NZX-listed companies’ COVID-19 wage subsidy analysis – Working Paper 2022/13 – McGuinness Institute, Dec 2022, https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/working-papers/ (The Institute compiled data on companies that took the wage subsidy, demonstrating its watchdog role on corporate integrity. Note: The Institute’s own name does not appear on wage subsidy recipient lists in that analysis, implying it likely did not claim the subsidy itself).
[20] Companies Office – McGuinness Institute Ltd Shareholding – Company Hub NZ (info from Companies Office), https://www.companyhub.nz (Search result snippet indicates shareholding: 100 shares owned by McGuinness Foundation Trust via Wendy McGuinness, confirming the trust’s 100% ownership and Wendy’s dual role as shareholder representative).
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz