Gather is a social enterprise on a mission to connect people and places through design.
We use design thinking to improve the quality of public spaces, while involving people meaningfully in their design and development.
Working alongside iwi, community groups, schools and local government, we unlock people’s lived experiences and aspirations, not always obvious through standard consultation.
The best results occur when people are involved in the same creative, collaborative and mutual learning process as the designer, producing healthier, greener and more attractive places for people to live and play.
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We’re proud to be a Fwd certified social enterprise with Ākina. Fwd certification is independent verification of the positive impact we’re making.
It’s important, because it assures people who purchase our services that they’re making a difference!
FAQ’s
-> What is a social enterprise?
Social enterprises are purpose driven organisations that trade to deliver social and environmental impact. Social enterprises embrace both profit and purpose to achieve good in a self-sustaining way.
WHO IS GATHER
Gather is led by Wendy Hoddinott, a registered landscape architect who specialises in meaningful ways to connect people and places through design.
I have 14 years experience in landscape architecture and a PhD where I explored the relationship between design expertise and public participation. I discovered that the best results occur when communities are involved in the same creative, collaborative and mutual learning process as the designer.
I am deeply committed to collaborative design and have worked alongside iwi, schools, community groups, local government and government agencies throughout Aotearoa.
My research has been recognised internationally for addressing the gap between design and lived experience and these findings now guide my design practice. I have presented to both national and international audiences and regularly contribute to the teaching programme at Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture.
A full list of my experience, academic qualifications, awards and publications, can be found here.
– Wendy Hoddinott
Local collaborators
Gather projects are platforms for collaboration, empowerment and creative innovation. These other talented individuals work alongside Gather to create impact and make a difference in this world.
GATHER FOUNDATION
Gather Foundation is a Charitable Trust, providing programmes for children and young people to co-design their outdoor environments.
Wendy established Gather Foundation after the success of Place Cadets, a two week school holiday programme that demonstrated the value of engaging children as active researchers and designers in their neighbourhoods and cities.
Wendy works with Gather Foundation to develop child-centric design programmes, drawing on children and young people’s knowledge and lived experiences, so that the final outcome is a reflection of their aspirations, rather than adult assumptions of the places they want to live and play.
