Wellbeing Economic Alliance Aotearoa NZ

1. Official Name: Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (trading as WEAll Aotearoa NZ).

2. Legal Status: Registered charitable trust (non-profit).

3. Registration Details: Incorporated as a Charitable Trust Board in 2020 (Charities Services registered charity, exact registration number Data Not Found).

4. Established: 2020 (first full year of operations as a charitable trust was 2023).

5. Global Affiliation: Part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) network of hubs in 19 countries. New Zealand is one of three founding members of the WEAll-facilitated Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) partnership.

6. Headquarters: Wellington, New Zealand. Mailing address listed as 50 Chaytor Street, Karori, Wellington 6012.

7. Contact: Primary contact email gareth@weall.org.nz (attn: Gareth Hughes, Country Lead).

8. Leadership: Gareth Hughes – Country Lead & Director (former Green Party MP, serves as public face and chief executive). Justin Connolly – Board Chair (director of consultancy “Deliberate”).

9. Governing Board: Six trustees as of 2024: Justin Connolly (Chair) ; Qiulae Wong-Anthony (Treasurer, impact consultant at KPMG) ; Joanne Waitoa (public sector advisor on Te Tiriti/environment) ; Michael Worth (former corporate executive, sustainability advocate) ; Donna Purdue (former Chief Economist at MBIE and Kiwibank) ; Brett Anderson (Iwi trust treasurer and post-settlement governance professional). (Paul Dalziel and Suzy Morrissey were founding trustees in 2020–2023 but stepped down).

10. Key Staff: Gareth Hughes (Director) ; Sally Hett (Knowledge & Engagement Lead) ; Sophie Handford (Future Generations Lead, also a local councillor and climate activist) ; Paul Dalziel (Research Economist, emeritus professor and co-author of Wellbeing Economics, now an advisor) ; Georgie Craw (Communications Lead, former Director of Child Poverty Action Group).

11. Staff Size: Small team of paid staff (at least 4 employees as of 2023), supported by project contractors and volunteers.

12. Founders: The NZ hub was initiated in 2020 by a committed board of trustees with Gareth Hughes appointed as founding Country Lead. (The global WEAll movement was co-founded in 2018 by international “new economy” advocates).

13. Mission Statement: To transform New Zealand’s economic system into a “Wellbeing Economy” that serves human and ecological wellbeing, rather than GDP growth alone. WEAll Aotearoa works to promote dignity, fairness, nature’s health, purpose-driven institutions, and citizen participation in the economy.

14. Activities: Policy advocacy, research and knowledge-sharing, public engagement events, and coalition-building. Key activities include hosting conferences and webinars, coordinating an “Economy for Public Good” conference (Auckland, 2023), conducting a nationwide “Economics Listening Tour” to hear community voices, publishing reports and educational resources (e.g. Turbulent Times zine), and leading public campaigns (e.g. an Open Letter on economic policy in the 2023 election).

15. Advocacy Focus: Promotes long-term, systemic policy shifts such as embedding wellbeing measures in governance, adopting a Future Generations Act (as in Wales), tax reform for equity and prevention of social ills, and strengthening Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Indigenous wisdom in economic decision-making. Regularly comments on government budgets and policies through a wellbeing lens.

16. Alliances & Partners: Works alongside a broad spectrum of civil society. In 2023 WEAll convened a non-partisan coalition of NGOs and unions (including the NZ Council of Trade Unions, Oxfam NZ, NZ Council of Christian Social Services, ActionStation, among others) to co-sign its Wellbeing Economy open letter to political leaders. Partners with Māori and community initiatives such as Te Hiko – Centre for Community Innovation in Porirua on local wellbeing economy projects. Member of the Peter McKenzie Project “flotilla” of anti-poverty initiatives (JR McKenzie Trust program) alongside other systems-change organizations. Globally, connected to WEAll hubs and ambassadors (e.g. Kate Raworth, Sophie Howe) for knowledge exchange.

17. Government Relations: Engages with central and local government in a non-partisan manner. New Zealand’s Treasury and government agencies have interacted with wellbeing economics concepts (e.g. via Living Standards Framework and Wellbeing Budgets), and WEAll Aotearoa positions itself as a resource and advocate for such approaches (though no formal government role). Some local authorities collaborate on events or awards (e.g. Auckland Council’s agency supported a 2023 conference). Several trustees and advisors are former or current public officials, providing informal channels into policymaking circles.

18. Corporate Relations: Emphasizes “purpose-led business” and partners with ethical business networks. A board member is former NZ Director of B Lab (B Corporation movement) and now at KPMG’s impact unit, reflecting outreach to progressive business practices. Sponsors of events include Auckland Unlimited (economic development agency) and GoodSense (a B Corp-certified marketing firm). WEAll’s advocacy for corporate sustainability (e.g. mandatory climate-risk disclosures and purpose statements) suggests an engagement with the private sector on reforming business for wellbeing.

19. Funding Sources: Relies on philanthropic grants and donations – no evidence of government funding. Confirmed funders include: Todd Foundation (“Change Engagement” grant of NZ$50,000 in 2024) ; J R McKenzie Trust’s Peter McKenzie Project (major funding commenced 2023 to support multi-year operations) ; Partners for a New Economy (international donor collaborative, supported 2023 conference); and various charitable trusts or sponsors (e.g. event sponsorship from Auckland Council’s Auckland Unlimited, and others). WEAll Aotearoa also solicits public donations as a registered charity.

20. Financial Transparency: Limited public disclosure of finances. As a registered charity, annual financial statements are filed to Charities Services (detailed financial data not readily published on WEAll’s own site – Data Not Found). The organization acknowledges funders and sponsors in general terms but does not publicly itemize all contributions on its website.

21. Membership/Public Support: Functions as a “people-powered movement” – individuals can Become a Member by signing up to newsletters or volunteering. Not a mass membership organization in a formal sense (no membership roll published – likely an email list/community). Coalition-building is achieved via partnerships rather than a fee-paying membership base.

22. Affiliations: Non-partisan and cross-sector. Collaborates with social justice NGOs, environmental groups, unions, academia, and iwi organizations in pursuit of common goals. Internationally, affiliated with WEAll Global’s governance – shares the WEAll brand and presumably adheres to its charter. Not officially affiliated to any political party (though its leadership has Green Party backgrounds, the trust is independent).

23. Policy Influence Methods: Uses indirect lobbying – e.g. writing submissions on legislation (such as a 2023 submission opposing the government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill), publishing policy briefs and open letters to influence public opinion and decision-makers, and participating in consultations or Select Committee processes (as evidenced by its formal submissions). Also leverages media: op-eds, interviews and webinars to shape narratives on economic policy (Gareth Hughes regularly features in media discussions on economic and wellbeing issues).

24. Key Positions: Strongly advocates for “beyond GDP” measures – backing the continuation and strengthening of the Wellbeing Budget approach in NZ (with criticism that current budgets have not gone far enough). Promotes the idea of a Wellbeing of Future Generations Act to legally require long-term, wellbeing-focused policymaking. Calls for tax reform (fairer taxes on wealth), greater social spending on poverty and climate issues, and empowering communities via participatory democracy. Emphasizes honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in economic decisions and incorporating Indigenous concepts like He Ara Waiora into policy frameworks.

25. Public Communications: Operates an official website, active social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and a newsletter (pānui) to propagate its message. Issues press releases or blogs summarizing major events (e.g. budget commentaries, annual highlights). Often cites scholarly work (trustee Prof. Dalziel’s wellbeing economics research ) to lend credibility. Branding centres on positive, inclusive language about “an economy for public good”.

26. Leadership Backgrounds: Gareth Hughes brings political experience (10 years as an MP) and NGO activism (ex-Greenpeace). Other leaders have backgrounds in academia (economists), public service, and community sector, which inform WEAll’s approach. A sitting local politician (Sophie Handford) on the team provides current governance insight. These backgrounds position WEAll Aotearoa as a bridge between grassroots advocacy and institutional policy circles.

27. Controversies: No major public scandals recorded. However, questions have been raised about the practical impact of the “wellbeing economy” agenda. Some economists suggest the government’s much-touted Wellbeing Budgets amounted to “marketing as opposed to substance”, implying that simply adopting wellbeing rhetoric (promoted by groups like WEAll) did not significantly change outcomes. This critique, while aimed at government, reflects on the challenges WEAll faces in turning its vision into concrete policy shifts. Another point of note is potential conflicts-of-interest: for instance, one trustee remained a government ministry advisor while helping lead an external lobby for policy change (an overlap of roles that is not widely discussed publicly).

28. Lobbying Transparency: New Zealand currently has no mandatory lobbyist register. WEAll Aotearoa’s interactions with officials (such as meetings with ministers or ministries, if any) are not publicly disclosed due to this lack of regulation (no voluntary disclosure noted – Data Not Found). The Integrity Institute’s inclusion of WEAll in an “unauthorised” lobbying register is itself an effort to document such influence which would otherwise remain opaque.

29. Official Statements on Integrity: WEAll Aotearoa positions itself as an integrity-driven organization (non-partisan, kaupapa-led). It has not been accused of unethical conduct. That said, the organization calls for greater transparency and accountability in economic governance – standards it is also expected to uphold internally. It professes commitment to Te Tiriti and inclusive governance, and has an ongoing “accessibility journey” to improve inclusion. (No specific internal ethics or transparency policy found on public materials – Data Not Found.)

Sources:

[1] Donate — WEAll Aotearoa, WEAll Aotearoa (Official website), https://www.weall.org.nz/donate

[2] Launching the NZ Lobbying & Influence Register, LinkedIn (Bryce Edwards via Democracy Project), https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/launching-nz-lobbying-influence-register-bryce-edwards-dzzdc

[3] 2023 Highlights, WEAll Aotearoa (Official website news post), https://weall.org/2023-highlights

[4] Our Team — WEAll Aotearoa, WEAll Aotearoa (Official website), https://www.weall.org.nz/our-team

[5] WEAll Aotearoa joins PMP flotilla, WEAll (Global website – New Zealand News), https://weall.org/weall-aotearoa-joins-pmp-flotilla

[6] WEAll Aotearoa Open Letter (2023), WEAll Aotearoa (Official website), https://www.weall.org.nz/openletter

[7] Submission from WEAll Aotearoa on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, WEAll Aotearoa (PDF submission, 2023), https://weall.org/wp-content/uploads/WEAll-Aotearoa-submission-on-the-Fast-track-Approvals-Bill-1.pdf

[8] Funding by Year, Todd Foundation (Grant listings, 2022), https://www.toddfoundation.org.nz/funding-by-year/

[9] Register of Interests 2025 (S.Handford), Kāpiti Coast District Council (PDF, Councillors’ interests register), https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/media/ocrj4cle/register-of-interests-2025-v2-for-website.pdf

[10] Aotearoa New Zealand – WEAll Hub, Wellbeing Economy Alliance (Global site), https://weall.org/hub/newzealand

[11] What’s what in Budget 2024, WEAll Aotearoa (Official website news, May 2024), https://weall.org/whats-what-in-budget-2024

[12] Scandinavian ambitions with a US attitude to tax, Local Government Magazine (Bryce Edwards commentary), https://localgovernmentmag.co.nz/scandinavian-ambitions-but-a-us-attitude-to-tax/

[13] New Zealand’s ‘wellbeing budget’ made headlines, but what really changed?, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/10/new-zealands-wellbeing-budget-made-headlines-but-what-really-changed

[14] Talking to communities about what they want from the economy, RNZ (Afternoons radio segment), https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018895636/talking-to-communities-about-what-they-want-from-the-economy

[15] Wellbeing Economy Alliance FAQ, WEAll (Global site FAQ), https://weall.org/faqs (accessed via web cache)

[16] Bryce Edwards: Budget 2024 shows NZ has some tough choices to make – Scandinavia or Singapore?, Democracy Project / Substack, https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/budget-2024-shows-nz-has-some-tough (summary via democracyproject.nz)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz