Place-Based Practice in Action: Insights from Tairāwhiti
Practice Foundations – June 2026
Leslynne Jackson (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki)
Place-Based Practice in Action: Insights from Tairāwhiti
In this session, Leslynne Jackson (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), Project Lead at Manaaki Tairāwhiti shared insights from place-based work alongside whānau, providers and iwi in Tairāwhiti.
In conversation with Penny Hagen (Pākehā), Manukura Tangata Tiriti at The Auckland Co-Design Lab, you will hear how whānau insight and locally-held data and evidence is being used to surface system barriers, support more responsive policy, and enable simpler, more effective ways of working. This kōrero also explored what the team has learnt about growing the conditions for community-led commissioning.
Leslynne Jackson was born and raised in Gisborne. She has more than 30 years’ experience working in and around social services and the associated networks, Leslynne is a strong advocate for both systemic changes and community-led action that improve the lives of children, whānau and vulnerable adults.
A visual summary of the session, completed by the super talented Jacqui Chan, can be viewed and downloaded below.
A transcript of the session is available by request, please contact: admin@aucklandco-lab.nz
