Originally sent to our community on 20 October 2026. Sign up here to get the next one! →
Welcome back to the simpact AI newsletter! This month we’re sharing a kaupapa close to our hearts (backing rangatahi to lead), sector buzz, a blog post worth bookmarking, and three upcoming events worth a spot in your calendar.
WORK WE’RE PROUD OF
Igniting Potential in Rangatahi
Igniting Potential in Rangatahi (IPIR) builds on nearly a decade of mahi by Pūmanawa Āwhina | Community Connect — a youth development programme founded in 2016 with NZ Police, backed by Sport NZ's Balance is Better and the AWHI principles. IPIR uses mentorship and recognition to help rangatahi build the skills and confidence to thrive.
We were proud to help turn years of on-the-ground work into the IPIR Impact Report 2024–2025, distilling the outcomes, stories and data into a report that does justice to the scale of the kaupapa.
You can read the full report here.
“Working with the team at simpact has been an outstanding experience for myself and for our organisation – Pūmanawa Āwhina. Simpact brings a unique blend of strategic insight, storytelling, and design thinking to deliver a high quality snapshot of your organisation.”
Ready to start the process of a simpact AI Impact Report? A no-obligation discovery call is the first step — book a time and we'll look forward to learning more about your organisation.
While we are highlighting mahi that backs rangatahi, this amazing SROI Impact Report commissioned by Ara Taiohi through Hands of Impact finds that "Every $1 invested in youth work creates $12.69 in social value" — read more about the report on Te Ao Māori News; and if "SROI Impact Report" feels like unfamiliar jargon — read on, we have a new article to help with that!
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING
Out and about
AI for Good recap
We kicked off our AI for Good Lunch & Learn series on Wed 23 September, co-creating a community of practice alongside Juhi Shareef of Mission:Mārama and our own Jade Tang-Taylor. Thanks to everyone who joined — the kōrero on AI and social impact was rich, and we can't wait for round two.
The crew from the first AI for Good Lunch & Learn, 23 September.
Sector report
We've also been digging into JBWere's new Economic Value of the Sector report (with the University of Waikato) — the first full estimate of the for-purpose sector's contribution since 2018. The numbers are bigger than you'd think:
Source: Stats NZ, JBWere Philanthropic Services
Follow us on LinkedIn for updates and reflections as we keep engaging with the sector!
WHAT'S COMING UP
Join the kaupapa
AI for Good Lunch & Learn #2
Wed 28 Oct · 12–1pm, Zoom
Our monthly AI for Good series continues with guest speaker Simon Hertnon — author, educator and founder of the Same Page Initiative — on the Universal AI Declaration. Bring your lunch, bring your questions.
Governing with Impact in the New AI World
30 Oct–4 Nov · Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
Auckland's sold out — Wellington & Christchurch still open.
ImpactUp x Auckland
FROM THE BLOG
Worth a read
Impact Reporting 101
SSP, SROI, RBA, ESG, narrative, annual report — the impact reporting alphabet can feel like a lot. Our latest blog post breaks down what each approach actually answers, and how to pick a proportionate blend for your organisation.
Thanks for reading — don't forget you can contact us with your thoughts, suggestions or questions.
Ngā mihi, until next month!
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