Tafa O Ata Feasibility Study Case Study
What we did
In August 2020, Pocketknife was commissioned by Ministry of Social Development’s Industry Partnerships to develop a feasibility study for the Sinoti Samoa (the Samoan Methodist Church). The Sinoti Samoa purchased a piece of land in Drury (south of Auckland) with the aim of creating a Community Hub: a place for the community to live, work and connect better. The feasibility study aimed to provide an exploration and assessment of a range of viable business model options that would deliver both the financial and social outcomes the Sinoti Samoa community is seeking.
Our recommended approach was led by three principles: place-based, people-first and value-led.
The collaboration unfolded over three months. Our work included: community consultation activities; research on the wider context, the economic, social and political environment; extensive stakeholder engagement activities; business modelling and impact modelling.
What came out of it
We delivered a detailed Feasibility Study report that included our findings in relation to the ‘place’, the community and its aspirations, a complete environmental scan, and an assessment of feasibility across four different potential initiatives and business models.
Challenges we faced
The collaboration took place in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Auckland region (including South Auckland and Drury) experienced their second lockdown on the week the project kicked off. Our agreement with the Project Lead was to embrace the uncertainty of our working environment: we made a commitment to remain flexible and agile throughout the collaboration, and we re-assessed our plans as we went.
This approach worked out well in practice thanks to the trust that we built in the initial stages of the project. Regular contact, open lines of communication and transparency enabled us to achieve a healthy and effective balance between following a clear plan of action and incorporating new learning, insights and circumstances throughout the collaboration.
What we loved about working on this project
We loved how opportunities and ideas emerged and took shape throughout the project and the collaboration with the Sinoti Samoa community. It was both fascinating and energising to get to understand their vision and their dreams, whilst getting a grip on the potential that the urbanisation of the Drury area will represent for their Community Hub in the next few decades.
The last stage of the project was when it all came together: finding ways to reconcile the community’s strengths and needs with the wider social and economic context, and developing business models with the potential to create impact in the areas of health, wellbeing, education and employment.
What the client said
‘Pocketknife has been able to share a way forward for our partners at Sinoti Samoa that is deeply rooted in the values of the community, and empowers and equips people to learn, connect, grow and contribute. We are excited to work towards increased support, awareness and understanding of how to work with and alongside our Pacific communities. By being included in matters that affect them and determining their own solutions, the community is in control of their own pathways to success. The investment in this process will ensure that employment outcomes, business development and community activities can be delivered simultaneously.’
Amanda Nicolle, Director, Industry Partnerships, Ministry of Social Development