“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Kia ora, I'm Carolyn Smith, founder of Woven Collaboration.
The name comes from the whakataukī: “Nau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi” – with your basket and mine, the people will thrive. It speaks to the power of bringing our strengths together to create something greater. I also draw inspiration from the idea that many strands woven together form a strong rope.
That’s what I do—help people and organisations weave their ideas, experiences, and aspirations into shared plans that create real impact.
I bring over 25 years of experience in collaboration, community engagement, leadership, and strategic communications. Before starting Woven Collaboration, I held leadership roles in national environmental collaborative programmes like Predator Free 2050, Jobs for Nature, and strategic cross -agency partnerships.
I've held governance roles in social enterprise, providing advice and support to Department of Conservation leaders on integrating and supporting social enterprise. I attended two World Forums in Christchurch, NZ, and Edinburgh, Scotland, where I joined a study tour and an intergovernmental forum.
I'm a trained and accredited facilitator, mediator, and strategist, with qualifications from Massey University, the University of Canterbury, and the Resolution Institute. I'm also a certified practitioner in public participation design (IAP2) and an accredited member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand.
I'm a voluntary impact coach for school principals through Springboard Trust, mentor emerging community leaders with Volunteering Northland and Mentoring NZ, women in business via OneupOneDown, a Trustee with Whangārei Festivals Trust, and help out with events at OneOneSix community venue in Whangārei.
When I'm not working, you'll find me spending time with whānau and friends, exploring beautiful places, and enjoying the outdoors.
Let's work together to weave our ideas, experiences, and aspirations into a strong, unified plan that makes a difference.
Mauri ora, Carolyn