There is a powerful and growing body of evidence globally that supports a case for fundamentally rethinking the way we design, develop and deliver public outcomes, especially for complex or “wicked” problems.
Complex problems often see public and NGO agencies trying to solve part of a larger systemic problem individually. Consequently they can become ‘crowded’ spaces with many agencies and projects at work, with potential for duplication and waste of scarce funds, and the disappointment of low return on investment.
The concept of a Lab is to provide a neutral space to safely experiment with different design methods (fail early and fast to ensure later success), to fast track the process and to hothouse cross-agency (and cross -Government and NGO) collaboration.
The Auckland Co-Design Lab (the Lab) is a 24 month proof of concept initiative established under the Better Public Services Innovation Seed Fund. It is a partnership between central government and Auckland Council.
The purpose of the programme is to explore the potential of user centred design and cross-sector collaboration approaches to create radical, system level solutions to seemingly intractable social and economic problems.
The Lab is co-located and closely collaborating with Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative team in Manukau.
The Lab will explore four key challenges that are nationally significant and also have a particular relevance to South Auckland.
Growing the New Zealand’s Social Innovation Ecosystem -
Billy Matheson will be talking about some of the lessons he’s learned over the last eight years about the social innovation ecosystem in New Zealand and the work he is currently doing to support the Auckland Co-Design Lab.
SPEAKERS
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Jane Strange Jane is the Director of the Auckland Co-design Lab a 24 month proof of concept to experiment with the use of human-centred design and collective impact approaches to create radical solutions to complex/wicked problems - working across government and community organisations. Previously Jane worked as a Design Catalyst with Better by Design - a specialist service offered by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, that helps companies increase their potential for international competitiveness, through the adoption of Design Thinking and Design tools & methodologies. Before that she led an Innovation and Design team at ASB, and has a background in ethnographic market research, product and service development, strategy development, marketing and legal practice. |
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Billy Matheson Billy Matheson is a social entrepreneur who lives and works in Auckland. He is currently employed as a strategic advisor to Auckland Council. Billy is an Industrial Designer by training and worked on the contemporary wharenui Te Hono Ki Hawaiki at Te Papa. He lectured in art and design in Wellington for 8 years and has a masters degree in Adult Education. He is the founder of the ReGeneration youth leadership initiative and has been actively supporting young changemakers since 2007. Recently he has been working with local and central government to promote social enterprise and social innovation. He serves on the board of the Enspiral Foundation and Yes Disability and acts as a mentor and coach. |
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