ABOUT SASS
The Systems Change Advocacy, Support and Solidarity (SASS) group was founded in 2022 by experienced, hands-on changemakers fiercely passionate about community-led, relationship-based, collaborative systems change and creating a more equitable future in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The group is a diverse network of wāhine and non-binary humans who gather together through the grace of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as systems changers grounded in community. SASS works together in various forums to create a safe space to be present with each other, who lean with each other as we go deep and share our wisdom to enrich others practising as systems changers.
At Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono we supported SASS as a secretariat and facilitator, allowing the group to focus on their work in scaling up, scaling deep, and scaling out. The group is financially supported by Weave, Todd Foundation, Clare, and the Len Reynolds Trust.
The SASS Group Members
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Anjum Rahman
Kirikiriroa, Hamilton
Working to change
‘systemic racism’ -
Jane Zintl
Pōneke, Wellington
Working to change the
‘Youth Development’ system -
Tric Malcolm
Pōneke, Wellington
Working to change the
food and equity system -
Anissa Ljanta
Tāmaki Makaurau, AKL
Working to change the system -
Jewelz Petley
Te Rarawa & Ngati Kuri
Working to change the
‘Māori economic’ system -
Erin Matariki Carr
Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa & Pākehā
Working to change the system via constitutional reform / matike mai.
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Bianca Johanson
Tāmaki Makaurau, AKL
Working to change
the ‘Youth Homelessness’ system -
Jahvaya Wheki
Kirikiriroa, Hamilton
Working to change the
‘Youth-Led’ system -
Jade Tang-Taylor
Tāmaki Makaurau, AKL
Working to build capability around systems thinking, systems innovation, systems change and designing for complex systems.
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Lautalie Schmidt-Geen
Tāmaki Makaurau, AKL
Working to change the
‘Pacific women’ system -
Eva Chen (MNZM)
Tāmaki Makaurau, AKL
Working to change and advocate for the ‘Ethnic community’ at a system-level. -
Shaleshni Sharma
Kirikiriroa, Hamilton
Working to change
the ‘XYZ’ system
Our Values / KAwa
1) WHENUA FIRST
We are committing to whenua first.
The land holds the stories, the whakapapa, and the mauri of all who came before us. It is not just a resource—it is a living, breathing part of who we are. By putting whenua first, we honour the deep connections between people and place, recognising that when the whenua thrives, we all thrive.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is central to this commitment. It is a foundation of partnership and respect that guides us in our relationship with the whenua and each other. It acknowledges the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua, affirming their authority as kaitiaki of the land, and calls on tangata Tiriti to uphold these sacred responsibilities.
By embracing these principles, we are committing to a future where the whenua, its people, and all generations to come, are nourished, respected, and empowered.
Tihei mauri ora!
2) MANA MOTUHAKE
Is our right and responsibility to create and enable self-determined futures, grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, whakapapa, and mātauranga Māori. Through decolonisation, collective systems change, and an abundance mindset, we support the reclaiming our sovereignty, to strengthen our communities so that Māori can thrive.
3) MANA TANGATA
Speaks to the collective strength, leadership, and well-being of wāhine and non-binary systems changers in Aotearoa. SASS exists to support, enable, and develop those driving transformation, ensuring our mahi is grounded in deep, respectful relationships with each other, our communities, and te taiao. We celebrate the diverse strengths and wisdom of wāhine in systems change, recognising that true equity is shaped by inclusivity and self-determination. With whānau at the heart, we honour the interwoven responsibilities of care, connection, and collective well-being, ensuring that the needs of whānau are always centred in our journey forward.
4) MANA MAURI
Sustains our well-being, relationships, and collective resilience. We honour reciprocity—giving back to strengthen transformational change and care. We build deep trust to hold space for vulnerability and courageous conversations. Our spaces are restorative, supporting rest and renewal for wāhine and non-binary systems changers. Participation is invitational, with the door always open for reconnection. Presence is a form of participation—being together, listening deeply, and creating space for reflection. By nurturing mauri, we ensure our work remains impactful and sustainable for future generations.