# The southern initiative: How indigenous values inspire social innovation and impact

**Source**: https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/items/469a3f6a-3e26-4881-bf5d-8a7e99a87f9d
**Parent**: https://www.juncture-ic-centre.auckland.ac.nz/published-research/

[Niu, Xiaoliang](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Niu,%20Xiaoliang)

[Mika, jason](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Mika,%20jason)

[Spiller, chellie](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Spiller,%20chellie)

[Haar, jarrod](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Haar,%20jarrod)

[Rout, Matthew](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Rout,%20Matthew)

[Reid, John](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Reid,%20John)

[Karamaina, Tāne](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/browse/author?startsWith=Karamaina,%20T%C4%81ne)

## Reference

(2025). Journal of Management and Organization, 1-14.

## Degree Grantor

## Abstract

Indigenous values are increasingly recognised in helping organisations contribute to wellbeing within and beyond the workplace. Adopting the theoretical lens of Māori economies of wellbeing, this case study examines how The Southern Initiative (TSI), a unit within Auckland Council, incorporates Māori values to co-create place-based solutions and foster whānau (family) wellbeing. Through kōrero (conversations) with three people, a wānanga (collaborative discussion) with TSI members, and analysis of organisational literature, we identified how TSI’s organising approach synthesises social innovation and bureaucracy. We found that indigeneity-embedded intrapreneurship, distributed leadership, and whānau-centred design support TSI’s innovations. Mana (prestige) emerged as a primary organising principle, sustaining TSI’s approach to achieving systemic change. By bridging Indigenous paradigms and conventional managerial practice, this case study demonstrates how Māori values can transform public sector management, elevate social justice, and encourage community resilience. These findings highlight culturally grounded frameworks for delivering social impact and shaping equitable outcomes.

## Description

#### DOI

[10.1017/jmo.2025.10032](https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2025.10032)

## Related Link

## Keywords

1303 Specialist Studies in Education, 1503 Business and Management, 1505 Marketing, 3505 Human resources and industrial relations, 3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour

## ANZSRC 2020 Field of Research Codes

## Collections

[Journal Articles](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/collections/8f603eed-4fcf-4d30-88e7-5ae5d0169a14)

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## Referenced By

[Full item page](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/items/469a3f6a-3e26-4881-bf5d-8a7e99a87f9d/full)

## Files

[Niu et al 2025.pdf  (244.89 KB)](https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstreams/45801a59-2b09-4600-843b-8db2b55de042/download)

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## Permanent Link

<https://hdl.handle.net/2292/73761>

## Rights Link

<https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm>

## Rights

Copyright: The authors

## Creative Commons License

Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as [Attribution 4.0 International](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)