Co-op Academy - education and training for co-ops
Education built for how cooperatives actually work.
The Co-op Academy delivers practical, New Zealand–specific learning for people working in cooperatives and mutuals across governance, leadership, finance, operations and member engagement.
Built with the sector, for the sector, our programmes and collaborations strengthen capability while protecting the cooperative difference.
[ cooperatives build a better world ]Who it’s for
Directors and governors
Strengthen cooperative governance, capital decisions and long-term stewardship.
Member-owners and operators
Build capability for succession, ownership and day-to-day decision-making.
Leaders and managers
Lead teams, growth and change within a cooperative or mutual structure.
Advisors and practitioners
Work more effectively with member-owned organisations.
Founders and co-op startups
Resources and guides to support anyone considering the co-op model.
The ultimate start-up guide for founders
Our popular start-up guide resources are the ideal companions for those interested in the business model to gain a good grasp on the steps required to make their cooperative dream a reality.
Thanks to the support of Corporate Associate Member Anderson Lloyd and the Companies Office, we are pleased to offer these complimentary resources to anyone who would like to learn more about establishing or joining a cooperative or mutual in New Zealand.
Bite-sized guides to co-ops
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What is a cooperative?
We’re thrilled you’re exploring more about the world of co-ops. This resource provides you with the foundational knowledge of the business model, how it differs from other business structures and the relevant New Zealand legislation.
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Is a cooperative the right model for our business?
Have you identified an opportunity for a group of people/members to collectively work together? The next step in your journey is considering whether you need to establish a formal legal entity and, if so, whether the co-operative model will best meet the needs of the group.
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Establishing a cooperative
If you are ready to take the next step, this resource explores the important steps required to get your business off the ground. How to draft up your feasibility study and business case to assist you in gaining members and funding.
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Successful operation of a cooperative
It’s time to execute on your plans! This resource provides you with a basic roadmap to ensuring the ongoing success of your co-op.
Learning delivered with trusted partners
Not all cooperative learning needs to be built from scratch.
Alongside developing our own Co-op Academy courses, Cooperative Business NZ works with a small number of trusted partners to bring high-quality, cooperative-aligned education and tools to the sector.
These collaborations allow us to:
✔ extend learning into specialist areas
✔ tailor education for member-owned structures
✔ support co-ops of different sizes and stages
✔ avoid duplication while maintaining quality and relevance
Each partnership is purpose-built for a specific need, whether that’s measuring mutual value, offering learning to members and teams, or developing governance capability aligned with member ownership.
Partner programmes and resources
Governance education with Mayfield Group
For directors, aspiring governors and senior leaders
We work closely with Mayfield Group to promote and co-deliver governance education that reflects the realities of member-owned organisations.
✔ Mayfield’s six-month governance programmes
✔ A two-day governance course developed collaboratively, with a strong focus on cooperative and mutual structures
This offering complements, rather than replicates, traditional governance pathways and provides an alternative lens grounded in ownership, stewardship and long-term purpose.
👉 Ideal for current and future directors, chairs and senior leaders in co-ops and mutuals.
Association Academy partnership
For co-ops offering learning to their own members or teams
In partnership with Association Academy, we curate short, accessible online micro-learning courses that cooperatives and mutuals can offer directly to their members, owner-operators or staff. Topics span workplace wellbeing, workplace productivity, cyber security courses and HR support for managers or staff.
This is designed for organisations that want to support learning across their membership or workforce, but don’t have the internal resources to develop and host education themselves.
👉 Ideal for co-ops looking to lift capability across their member base or frontline teams.
Mutual Value Measurement Framework©
A practical framework to measure and articulate the full value created by mutual and member-owned organisations - beyond financial performance alone.
Developed with international expertise and applied in New Zealand, the Mutual Value Measurement Framework© helps organisations demonstrate impact to members, boards, regulators and stakeholders.
FMG is New Zealand’s first mutual to undertake the framework.
👉 Ideal for boards, leadership teams and organisations wanting to better evidence their mutual difference.
