Introduction
Ember Innovations is a kaupapa-driven social innovation organisation that supports research, community-led ideas and systems change to improve mental health, addiction and disability responses across Aotearoa New Zealand.
History and Background
Ember Innovations forms part of Ember Korowai Takitini, an organisation connected to decades of experience in designing and delivering mental wellbeing and addiction recovery support services in New Zealand.
It was created to explore approaches that extend beyond conventional service delivery. Its work responds to gaps in the public health system by helping communities, innovators and researchers develop new forms of mental wellbeing support.
Ember Innovations brings together social innovators, systems strategists, researchers, funders, people with lived experience and mental wellbeing advocates.
Its work is grounded in the belief that lasting change occurs when communities closest to a challenge have the resources and authority to shape solutions.
Mission and Purpose
Ember Innovations exists to change how Aotearoa responds to mental wellbeing by creating conditions in which bold ideas can grow, communities can lead and systems can transform.
The organisation supports innovation across mental health, addiction and disability. It seeks to improve access to compassionate, dignified and practical support, particularly for people whose needs are not fully met by existing systems.
Its kaupapa recognises lived experience as a form of expertise. People who have navigated mental health, addiction and disability systems are therefore involved in research, program design, governance and decision-making.
Ember Innovations is also committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to approaches that recognise mātauranga Māori, Māori leadership and culturally grounded understandings of well-being.
Governance and Structure
Ember Innovations operates as part of the wider Ember Group, also known as Ember Korowai Takitini.
A governance board provides organisational oversight, accountability and strategic guidance. Board members contribute knowledge from areas including mental health, lived experience, research, Māori development, leadership and social innovation.
The organisation’s operational team includes a Director or Tumu Whakarae, an Innovation Lead, an Investment and Partnerships Manager, and people responsible for programs, communications and knowledge sharing.
This structure enables Ember Innovations to connect community priorities with research expertise, investment opportunities, innovation methods and systems-level influence.
Funding and Grants
Ember Innovations provides research grants and other forms of support for projects aligned with innovation, mental wellbeing, community impact and the creation of useful evidence.
Its funding model includes direct research grants, innovation challenges, partnerships, venture support and investment in the development or testing of promising ideas.
Research applications may be considered from different academic disciplines, provided the proposed work aligns with Ember’s commitment to mental health, addiction, disability, community leadership and innovation.
Ember places particular importance on research informed or led by lived experience. Funding opportunities may support projects that generate practical knowledge, test emerging approaches or create evidence that other organisations and communities can use.
Grant amounts, eligibility requirements and application periods differ between funding rounds. Applicants should review the current research grant information before submitting an expression of interest.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Lived Experience Research Grants
Ember Innovations’ research grants support projects that recognise the knowledge and leadership of people with lived experience.
The program encourages research from different disciplines and supports work connected to well-being, social innovation and community impact.
Successful projects are expected to produce insights, evidence or practical resources that can contribute to better mental health, addiction or disability responses.
Knowledge Hub
The Ember Innovations Knowledge Hub shares research, learning and practical insights from supported initiatives.
Research is used to explore new ideas, test innovative approaches and deepen understanding of mental health and well-being.
The Knowledge Hub prioritises work grounded in lived experience, mātauranga Māori, community knowledge and emerging technologies.
Youth Flourishing in North Auckland
Ember Innovations worked with Managed Moves and Paihere Charitable Trust to understand the needs and priorities of young people, whānau and communities across North Auckland.
The resulting Youth Flourishing in North Auckland Innovation Challenge invited teams to propose new approaches based on priorities identified by local communities.
Ten teams were selected through a process involving community members, including young people. The initiative combined community engagement, innovation funding, learning opportunities and support for teams developing youth-focused solutions.
Innovation Challenges
Innovation challenges enable communities and organisations to identify unmet needs and invite people with relevant knowledge or ideas to develop potential responses.
Rather than defining solutions in advance, Ember Innovations involves communities in identifying priorities and selecting initiatives with the greatest local relevance.
Systems Change and Partnerships
Ember Innovations works to change the wider conditions that shape mental health and well-being.
Its systems-change approach includes developing trust-based partnerships, supporting research, sharing knowledge, influencing policies and funding flows, and responding to unmet needs.
The organisation collaborates with communities, researchers, funders, social entrepreneurs, service providers and public-system leaders.
Venture and Innovation Support
Ember works with early-stage innovators and established social entrepreneurs to test, improve and expand promising approaches.
Support may include funding, relationship building, capability development, research assistance and access to networks that can help an initiative progress from an idea to practical implementation.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Ember Innovations supported the implementation and continued development of “The Gift Box,” an evidence-informed, recovery-focused resource created by researcher and mental health innovator Dr Patte Randal.
The resource combines approaches associated with cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, trauma-informed care, strength-based practice and person-centred recovery.
Funding supported further evaluation, production of an updated manual and workbook, revised posters, distribution of 50 copies to appropriate settings and the creation of an implementation video.
The project found that The Gift Box could be used by peer-support workers without clinical training, helping expand its potential use beyond conventional clinical environments.
Through the Youth Flourishing in North Auckland challenge, Ember Innovations supported teams developing responses to priorities identified by young people, families and communities. Community members participated in selecting the initiatives, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to shared power and locally led decision-making.
Ember’s research grants have also supported projects that connect academic research with lived experience and community knowledge. These projects contribute evidence that can inform practice, stimulate further innovation and improve understanding of mental well-being.
The organisation published its first impact report in 2025, documenting its progress, partnerships and contribution to innovation across the mental health and well-being sector.
Conclusion
Ember Innovations combines research funding, lived-experience leadership, innovation support and systems-change strategies to reimagine mental health, addiction and disability responses in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Its approach places communities at the centre of innovation while connecting local knowledge with researchers, funders, social entrepreneurs and decision-makers. Through grants, challenges, partnerships and knowledge sharing, Ember Innovations helps promising ideas develop into practical and potentially scalable responses.
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