The Southern Initiative (TSI) and the Auckland Co-design Lab (the Lab) is a unique New Zealand public service innovation team working across central and local government and alongside communities.
This seminar looks at how innovation and implementation co-exist through this platform to achieve transformational change.
Based in South Auckland, TSI Director Gael Surgenor and the Lab Director Alastair Child will share their experience in leading and developing social innovation practice spanning rapid experimentation, co-design and ‘adopting and adapting’ ideas that have worked elsewhere.
Gail will share her insights on leading public sector innovation and the key ingredients for delivering transformational change.
Alastair will discuss the Lab’s experience building co-design practice and capability and the value co-design principles offer public servants and citizens.
After the talk stay on to enjoy some networking with refreshments provided by Deloitte.
Speaker Bios
Gael Surgenor, Director - Community and Social Innovation, The Southern Initiative, Auckland Council
Gael has 15 years’ experience as a social entrepreneur/’intrapreneur’ working in public sector organisations. She is the Director of The Southern Initiative at Auckland Council, which a recent review called a “world class place based initiative”. This social innovation team works to build trust, relationships and strategic initiatives to effect deep, impactful change in South Auckland.
Alastair Child, Director - Auckland Co-design Lab.
Alastair has 13 years’ experience in UK and the New Zealand public sector working on innovative approaches to early years, child poverty, youth employment and the development of innovation labs. He is the Director of the Co-design Lab, a joint initiative between eight central government agencies and Auckland Council. It was set up to explore applying co-design principles to complex social issues, foster collaboration and grow co-design capability.