About Waiheke Connect

Waiheke Connect became an incorporated society on 8th of January 2020, after informally operating for 3 years. As of the 1st of April 2020, it has over 100 paid members: consisting of self-employed business owners or professionals, working remotely from Waiheke Island. 

Our Tikanga / Culture

• Kotahitanga: united as a group and inclusive in our culture; 

• Kaitiakitanga: guardians and protectors of our environment; and  

• Manaakitanga: welcoming and warm hosts, who look after each other. 
  

We are: 

• Creative thinkers / doers from diverse industries;

• Low-environmental impact, high-value professionals, self-employed, with many working from home on the island;

• Island proud and united: we consider the Island a gift and are committed to contribute to a positive and prosperous future for the Island and the community;

• Both business and community are important to us.

Purpose of Waiheke Connect

• support Members, who are professionals based on Waiheke Island;

• create opportunities for Members to connect with each other face to face/offline;

• be an active contributor to the Waiheke Island community;

• enhance the resilience of our community on Waiheke Island.
  

Events

We host different kinds of events:

1. Business Workshops and kōrero/talks - high level learning sessions. These include professional development workshops, business owners sharing their journey to success, or a panel discussion from industry leaders on topics pertinent to running a business on Waiheke island. 

2. Informal networking - an opportunity for members to meet other business owners on the island to forge collaboration possibilities, widen their professional network, and create a sense of belonging.

3. Community-minded events - for the good of the wider community. This is where we show our love for our motu/island, with events focused on strengthening our community.

4. Co-working - We have a permanent co-working space in the Old Surfdale Post Office (6 Hamilton Road). As a member you can book a desk or enquire a permanent desk (Please note; we work with a waiting list).

Attending Our Events

We are inclusive in our culture; all workshops and learning sessions are accessible to Waiheke locals who are non-members and just starting out in business. 

Waiheke Connect provides a range of pricing options, including free and minimally priced events each year to ensure the accessibility for youth and those on a limited income. 

Scholarship

We gift a limited number of scholarship memberships to members of our community, either for young people who are starting out in business or are working in non-profit and who could benefit from being part of a local professional community. If you would like to find out more about a scholarship, please send us an email on waihekeconnect@gmail.com