Jenny Nand Community Focus

19/06/2026

As we come to the end of National Volunteer Week (Te Wiki Tūao ā‑Motu), Aotearoa’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, held from June 14–20, I want to acknowledge the thousands of volunteers across Waikato and beyond who uplift our communities in ways both big and small. Your contribution is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.

This week’s celebrations felt especially meaningful after attending the Volunteering Waikato - Te Ohu Tuuao o Waikato Awards night on Wednesday.

It was an honour to be part of the judging panel, offering a powerful window into the depth of service, compassion, and commitment that volunteers bring to our region every day.

To all the nominated volunteers and the winners, congratulations. Our region is stronger, kinder, and more connected because of your dedication.

A heartfelt thank you to Michelle Rae (GM) and the Volunteering Waikato team for organising such an inspiring event and creating a space where we could collectively honour the spirit of service. Events like this remind us of the power of collective mahi and the importance of celebrating those who quietly keep our communities moving forward.

This week also reminded me of where my own journey with service began. Growing up, I watched my parents volunteer their time, energy, and skills in countless ways. They never called it “volunteering”, it was simply what you did when you cared about people and believed in community. Their example shaped me. It taught me that service is not an act of charity; it is an act of belonging. It is one of the most powerful ways we strengthen the social fabric around us. Choosing to volunteer my own time and energy is my way of honouring that legacy and giving back to the region that has given me so much.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved, a beautiful way to close National Volunteer Week and to celebrate the people who make Waikato home.

01/06/2026

13/05/2026

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of facilitating a workshop in Fiji on climate change, youth wellbeing, and belonging. It was very clear that the Pacific is not waiting for climate change, it is living it.

Rising seas and shifting coastlines are already reshaping communities, and young people spoke with urgency and hope about what this means for their futures.

Their reflections revealed that climate displacement is not only about losing land, but about losing belonging. When families relocate, friendships fracture, and cultural practices tied to land and sea are disrupted, identity itself is shaken.

Yet resilience was equally present. Youth are learning to carry belonging across borders, holding multiple homes at once, the land they left, the community they are building now, and the future they hope to protect.

As a Fijian Indian living in New Zealand, I left the workshop with a pressing question: what responsibilities do diaspora communities carry in this moment of upheaval?

Diaspora is not just distance; it is connection, the ability to amplify, to resource, and to preserve. In the face of climate displacement, diaspora communities must step into leadership.

The Pacific teaches us that belonging is not only about place, but about people, memory, and story. Our ancestors remind us that identity is carried in chants, rituals, and the rhythm of the ocean. Diaspora communities can be custodians of this continuity, ensuring that even when land is lost, the thread of identity endures.

Diaspora communities must move beyond symbolic solidarity to strategic leadership: advocating in global forums, resourcing adaptation at home, and carrying forward cultural and ancestral knowledge.

The Pacific’s story is not only regional, it is a global test of whether belonging can withstand displacement.

The question is not whether diaspora has a role, but whether we will rise to it.

07/04/2026

Late post!

Thank you to the Institute of Directors, Waikato Branch, for inviting me to be part of the panel discussion “Battle of the Boardroom: Where Experience Meets Fresh Thinking.”

It was a privilege to sit alongside Erica Amon, Rodney Young, and Doug Wilson, with the session expertly guided by Natasha Harvey.

Ngā mihi Natasha for asking the tough questions, the ones that push us to reflect, challenge our assumptions, and grow in our practice as governors. Our kōrero ranged from courageous conversations in the boardroom to navigating the complexity and opportunity of AI.

Thank you to the Institute of Directors for creating spaces where powerful conversations and real learning can happen. These forums strengthen our governance community and help us all show up better for the organisations we serve.

At the end of the day, good governance starts with good governors, people who prepare well, ask thoughtful questions, listen deeply, and lead with both courage and humility.

If you're interested to attend future events, please check out the website; https://www.iod.org.nz/governance-courses #/

05/04/2026

Earlier this week, the Waikato Intercultural Fund hosted the third event in our Whiria Te Tangata: Weaving Communities Together speaker series, exploring the theme Equity, Identity, and Civic Courage in Aotearoa. It was an evening shaped by insight, honesty, and powerful kōrero.

As Co‑Chair of the Waikato Intercultural Fund, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us.
Your presence, your engagement, and your willingness to lean into courageous conversations made the evening truly meaningful.

To our incredible panelists, Margaret Wilson, Kemi Fayomi, Jumana Fouda, and Molly Āperira Huggan, thank you for sharing your insights, expertise, and lived experiences with such honesty and generosity. Your voices challenged us, inspired us, and reminded us of what true courage looks like in our communities.

We are grateful to the School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy at The University of Waikato for co‑hosting this event with us. A special acknowledgement to Justine Kingsbury, Tim Smith and Sandy Morrison for your ongoing support and partnership.

A huge mihi also to our dedicated Waikato Intercultural Fund committee members. Your commitment, passion, and teamwork are what make events like this possible. Mark Servian, Priya Kurian, Holly Snape, Vani Mills, Jovi Abellanosa, Ninitha Koya, Gilber-Saad.

Have included some photos from the event below, capturing the energy, the kōrero, and the connections made throughout the evening.

01/04/2026

After six years of service, my term with
Community Waikato has come to an end. An organisation I am incredibly proud of.

It has been a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated people who care deeply about strengthening our communities.

I want to express my sincere thanks to my fellow board members for their collegiality, wisdom, and unwavering support, your commitment has made this journey both meaningful and enjoyable.

I’m equally grateful to our operational team, whose hard work, professionalism, and heart sit at the centre of everything Community Waikato achieves. Their dedication behind the scenes has been inspiring, and it has been an honour to support and champion their efforts.

Although my time in this role is concluding, the spirit of connection and collaboration that defines Community Waikato will stay with me, and I look forward to seeing, and supporting the region’s continued success in new ways

Farewell from Community Waikato Chairperson Jenny Nand

12/03/2026

Join us for a powerful Whiria Te Tangata: Weaving Communities Together series, co‑hosted by the Waikato Intercultural Fund and the School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy at The University of Waikato.

This free, live event brings together leading voices for an insightful discussion, with audience Q&A, marking International Women’s Day (8 March) and International Race Relations Day (21 March 2026).

Together, we’ll explore how equity, identity, and civic courage shape our communities in Aotearoa today.

🎤 Panelists
• Margaret Wilson
• Kemi Fayomi
• Jumana Fouda

We look forward to welcoming students, community leaders, practitioners, and anyone interested in building more inclusive and courageous communities.

https://events.humanitix.com/equity-identity-and-civic-courage-in-aotearoa-a-panel-discussion?fbclid=IwY2xjawQf4t5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUNVB3QUtJV1pqYlpMS21Jc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhop3uX

Join us as we bring together powerful voices to explore the intersections of equity, identity and civic courage in Aotearoa.

04/03/2026

The first day of the Philanthropy NZ conference was full of honest, future‑focused conversations about equity, power, and the role of philanthropy in real system change. What stood out most was the clarity that the gap isn’t knowledge, it’s practice. Equity for Māori, Te Tiriti capability, and shifting power with communities were treated as essential, not optional.

I’m looking forward to Day Two and continuing to explore how we reimagine the flow of power and resources, and what it means to build a society that’s intentional about equity and collective responsibility.

28/02/2026

It was a privilege to attend the Chinese New Year celebration yesterday. My sincere thanks go to the organising committee and the sponsors for their dedication and support in creating such a well‑run and memorable event.

Garden Place as always proved to be the perfect venue, accessible, inclusive, and designed to bring people together. The open space allowed the wider community to participate and enjoy the cultural performances, food, and festivities. A wonderful way to welcome the new year.