Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind UNITY. Aotearoa?
UNITY. Aotearoa was founded by Melanie Bedggood, a community leader and change practitioner with more than 20 years' experience supporting people, organisations and communities to work together for positive change.
Her work has spanned community development, leadership and organisational improvement and has contributed to the development of the SIMPLE Transformation Framework, a practical approach for helping people and systems create sustainable change.
Who do you work with?
We work with individual New Zealanders as well as across community groups, iwi, local councils, government agencies and organisations seeking to improve collaboration and outcomes for New Zealanders and their communities.
Is this a political organisation?
No. UNITY. Aotearoa is non profit social enterprise. Our focus is on strengthening connection and capability across systems, not political positioning.
How does UNITY. Aotearoa create change?
We focus on creating the conditions for collaboration, trust, and aligned action, enabling groups to move beyond fragmented efforts into coordinated, long-term solutions.
Community Initiatives
We reinvest surpluses into local community led projects.
Our Experience
Established in 2023 and registered as a non profit social enterprise company in 2024, Unity. Aotearoa builds on over 20 years of the founder’s experience in community development, service delivery and research. This work is grounded in applied practice, bringing together grass roots learning and evolving methodologies to support collaboration and collective action in complex environments.
Building Trust
We foster trust and shared meaning among diverse communities.
Our Values
We value belonging, inclusivity, and community strength.
Reach out to learn how you can support our mission.