Wikimedia Aotearoa New Zealand Strategy 2026 2030/Increase Partnerships

Strategic goal #1: Increase successful partnerships and relationships

Our vision is to have, or have had a Wikipedian in Residence at every university in Aotearoa New Zealand. We will also explore other tertiary institutions for potential partnerships. This goal will build on the successful partnerships WANZ has already established with Auckland Museum and Otago University, both of whom have a Wikipedian in Residence (WiR). The WiR role has promoted our organisation, our work, and their work has improved and increased Wikimedia content. These WiR roles engage local communities and run events to grow the Wikimedia movement, and increase and improve New Zealand content.

We will seek opportunities for the WANZ Board, and members and organisers to speak and present at universities and aligned institutes and societies to educate and to build momentum for the Wikimedia movement across Aotearoa New Zealand, and the South Pacific region.

We will continue to contribute positively to the Wikimedia ecosystem, attending and supporting international events and seeking partnerships and collaborations with The Wikimedia East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Regional Cooperation (ESEAP), and the global Wikimedia community. We will seek to be involved in relevant committees to assist with this. We have begun engagement with Māori and Te Tiriti and we will develop a strategy for the next steps on this journey.

Objectives/Key Actions

Develop an Outreach Plan to reach out to organisations, institutions and societies, to collaborate in partnership for mutual benefit.
Prioritise our focus over the next five years with a number of universities, GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) institutions locally, and international organisations seeking to achieve similar goals in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Build meaningful collaborations and partnerships with Māori communities, beginning with seeking assistance from Māori to develop a Te Tiriti strategy to engage with iwi and hapū in a mutually beneficial way.
Strengthen and develop new relationships in ESEAP and with Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) affiliated groups collaborating on projects, sharing skills and ideas, and developing programmes to improve knowledge and develop our chapter.
Develop strategic partnerships and collaborations with values-aligned funders and agencies e.g. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Indigenous Knowledge / Mātauranga Māori, Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara to develop educational resources.