What New Zealand could learn from Australia’s housing co-ops. Australia’s CEHL proves housing co-ops can scale: a specialist owner (CEHL) holds the assets; local co-ops govern and manage; rents sit around social-housing affordability settings; and registration gives lenders comfort. New Zealand’s blockers are known - no dedicated tenure, immature lender products, and land access -so the question isn’t if housing co-ops work, but when we’ll let them. Liz Thomas walks us through the playbook.

Seasonal Solutions co-op was one of the founding entities of the current RSE scheme, and brings in over 1,100 seasonal workers each year to share labour across its diverse members. The co-op has recently worked through a multi-year shareholder-member engagement and share buy-back process. Craig describes their approach and the resulting benefits they are now experiencing as a co-op.

Listen as Luc explores in detail the drivers of change in Belgian horticultural cooperatives over his 35+ year career. We learn the striking similarities between co-ops in Belgium and New Zealand.

Listen as we explore lead indicators for cooperative success and failure; the role of a cooperative board in keeping focus; the differences in capital requirements of co-ops and investor owned firms and how to keep co-ops thriving for the coming decades.

Professor Fulton references his research paper published on the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan, linked here 'When big co-ops fail'.

Also mentioned, Canadian co-op Federated Co-operatives Limited.

Listen as Cooperative Business NZ Emerging Leader of the Year 2024 Ashleigh Buchanan shares how she was motivated to join Southern Cross initially as a means to serve her community, how her role has evolved over time and how her progression into senior leadership roles has shaped her vision and approach as a leader.

In this episode we talk with MG (Market Gardeners Ldt) CEO Peter Hendry about the co-operative and, in particular, how they are navigating Covid-19 and ensuring they keep their shareholders engaged.

Sustainability is a key pillar for any co-operative. Mitre 10 has ensured this is front and centre for their co-operative with the implementation of their sustainability charter. Roz Henry speaks with Grant Fraser, Chief Legal and Property Office/Executive Sponsor for Sustainability, on the suite of initiatives they have implemented.

During the first few weeks of the August 2021 lockdown, we spoke with Rob Sharkie, Group CEO of Ruralco about the co-operative; the current challenges they face and how they're combating these; engagement with their customers/members; and how they are future proofing themselves (particular with Covid in the mix).

Ruralco has a long history of being experts in agriculture and ensuring NZ farming families have the services and solutions they need to excel. Rob has a wealth of knowledge around the sector and the key to a successful co-operative.

Listen to our conversation with Dr Harley Aish, Chair of ProCare Network Ltd about the co-operative, their role within the healthcare landscape of New Zealand, how they're tackling challenges (particularly Covid) head on, and how they keep their shareholders engaged.

Hear from Lindsay Esler who is currently working as CEO with New Zealand Truffle Association on the process of becoming a co-operative. Hear his vision for the co-operative, current challenges and collaboration opportunities, and words of wisdom for others in the co-operative start-up phase.