Year in Review Introduction
In 2025, we celebrate the second International Year of Cooperatives, championing the role of cooperatives and mutuals in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and building a better world. The theme of IYC2025 is “cooperatives build a better world.” New Zealand’s cooperatives and mutuals are vital in fostering innovation, sustainability and inclusivity in our communities. The focus co-ops place on supporting members is a bright light in yet another extremely challenging year for New Zealand businesses – with growing regulatory pressures, rapid geopolitical changes and a tightening economy.
I thank the Board for supporting me and for their advocacy on behalf of our members. They do this voluntarily and are hugely giving of their time. Mike Brown (Chair), Dan Meiklejohn, Professor Nicola Shadbolt, Garry Diack and Simon Tucker, your ongoing commitment and deep knowledge of the cooperative model has enabled us to make great strides this past year.
Particular thanks go to our Corporate Associate Members who donate time and expertise and provide exceptional service for our members. Without their support, we could not deliver the wide range of initiatives on behalf of our members. Thank you again to Anderson Lloyd, Brannigans, Buddle Findlay, Business Mentors NZ, Cyclone, Deloitte, KPMG, Lifeline, Mayfield, Mystery Creek, PwC, Sharesies Business and Trust Alliance.
Member value and support for the cooperative economy
We know that a successful cooperative economy needs not only thriving organisations now, but a healthy pipeline of future cooperatives and future directors. With this mind, we launched Co-op Helper, our chatbot to help with any questions on legislation related to co-ops, mutuals or member owned businesses in New Zealand, including how to get started. This always-on resource means the co-op curious can have better informed conversations with legal and finance partners as they research alternative business models, and have robust debate with potential founding members, taking away the guesswork and saving time and money.
We were delighted to also announce one of our IYC 2025 initiatives in support of developing emerging directors. Governance plays a vital role in the ongoing success of co-ops and in recognition of this role the winner of the Emerging Leader of the Year award each year is invited to join the Cooperative Business NZ board in a 12-month observer role. In February 2025 we welcomed Ashleigh Buchanan from Southern Cross Health Society as our first observer.
We partnered with Corporate Associate Members Brannigans and Sharesies Business to bring you new, exclusive member benefits including generous discounts and buying rates on Orchestra software; executive recruitment; Health & Safety and HR services. Plus, with the support of Brannigans, we launched a new scholarship fund for members. We’re working now on negotiating a second tranche of new member benefits to be released later in 2025.
We had co-ops with SMEs or sole traders as members in mind when we launched 16 online microlearning modules spanning people and capability; cyber; wellbeing and productivity. These snack-sized online training modules help co-ops with fewer resources encourage and enable ongoing professional development for their members.
Locally, our annual members’ survey was conducted in May. Members were clear about the most critical issues they are facing as cooperatives. The top five issues were governance; succession planning; access to capital; sourcing and retaining skilled staff; and compliance with upcoming regulations. These top issues will help inform future events, commencing with in-person events in Christchurch and Auckland in partnership with KPMG focusing on how to get started with sustainability reporting.
Lobbying and advocacy
Our major workstream this year is preparing the updated Cooperative Economy Report 2025, for release at an event in Parliament later this year. Last released in 2021, this research plays a vital part in understanding the impact co-ops, mutuals and member-owned firms have on our economy and our society. Focusing on the top 30 organisations in the sector, the report will showcase the size and scale of the cooperative economy, take a look back in time and share examples of cooperative excellence.
We initiated a Public Affairs Forum, an invitation-only online forum to discuss and agree cross-sector advocacy and lobbying priorities. We made submissions on IRD taxation and the not-for-profit sector and MBIE’s Government Procurement Rules (v5). Our submission to IRD was in support of retention of existing tax exemptions for credit unions and friendly societies. We were co-signatories of the BusinessNZ letter to Ministers strongly opposing any changes. Our submission on Procurement Rules advocated for MBIE to go further in recognising how business structure and ownership impact economic outcomes. Plus, we recommended direct reference to cooperative and mutual enterprises in the Rules to ensure they are visible and understood by procurement practitioners. We noted procurement is a strategic tool, and cooperative businesses are well positioned to help the Government meet its economic, social, and environmental goals.
Events
One of our two flagship events, the Annual Business Awards held in Christchurch in November received high praise from attendees. The Business Awards recognise excellence in cooperatives and member owned businesses and lifetime achievement. The Awards evening also provided us with an opportunity to celebrate the longevity and resilience of the co-operative and mutual models with member organisation LIC reaching the milestone of 115 years as a co-operative and a Lifetime Achievement recognition for John Tavendale. Reaching this milestone is testament to the longevity and sustainability of the cooperative model. Enormous thanks go to our independent judging panel of Alastair Hercus, Jeffrey Stangl and Phil McKendry.
We collaborated with Lincoln University for a panel discussion on some of the reasons co-ops fail, and how to spot challenges early; plus ran a site visit for members at EastPack Co-operative and an in-person panel and presentation event on best practice wellbeing programmes and how ProCare Cooperative rolled out an equity strategy.
We appreciate how challenging it can be to take time away from your business and thank everyone that attended these events.
Summary
As we look ahead to the second half of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, I look forward to working alongside and on behalf of our members and partners, raising awareness and lobbying government and stakeholders on issues important to you and to all cooperatives, mutuals and member-owned businesses. You will see more opportunities to learn and come together through regional networking, education and inspiration events spanning common issues or sector specific topics and a growing library of online resources to support you, your team, and your members.
On behalf of the Cooperative Business NZ team and board, thank you for a fantastic year.
Nga mihi / In cooperation,
Saya Wahrlich
CEO, Cooperative Business NZ
