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    • Book Club
    • Podcast
    • Bellbird Blog
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  • Support
    • Professional Supervision and Coaching
    • Facilitation and Training
    • Consultation Services
    • Development Programmes
    • Innovation
  • Membership
  • Contact
  • About
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Book Club
    • Podcast
    • Bellbird Blog
    • Bellbird on Substack
    • Bellbird Symposium 2025
  • Support
    • Professional Supervision and Coaching
    • Facilitation and Training
    • Consultation Services
    • Development Programmes
    • Innovation
  • Membership
  • Contact
  • About
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Book Club
    • Podcast
    • Bellbird Blog
    • Bellbird on Substack
    • Bellbird Symposium 2025
  • Support
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    • Facilitation and Training
    • Consultation Services
    • Development Programmes
    • Innovation
  • Membership
  • Contact
  • About
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Book Club
    • Podcast
    • Bellbird Blog
    • Bellbird on Substack
    • Bellbird Symposium 2025
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    • Consultation Services
    • Development Programmes
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About Bellbird

At Bellbird, we believe that connection is at the heart of meaningful change.
We’re a collective of practitioners, consultants, and changemakers who come together to strengthen the social and community sector through shared purpose, creativity, and collaboration.

At Bellbird we take pride in our multi-faceted approach to community enablement. We are more than just an organisation; we are a hub of opportunities designed to uplift and support the social and community sector in Rotorua and beyond.

A Collective Idea

Bellbird isn’t a traditional organisation — it’s a space, a movement, and a shared kaupapa.
We’re a flock of independent professionals who each bring unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to our collective mahi. Together, we create opportunities to collaborate on projects that promote wellbeing, strengthen communities, and uplift the people who make a difference every day.

Each person who works within the Bellbird nest is a practitioner in their own right — what connects us is our shared commitment to values of authenticity, care, and collective impact.

Our website provides a glimpse into the array of services we offer, but please connect with us to collaborate and innovate.

Events

Bellbird facilitates community-based Events that provide learning and training to support us all to feed our knowledge, develop our skills and grow a strong community of practitioners. In addition to our community-based events, Bellbird can develop and deliver specific workforce development to your organisation, please contact us to talk about how we can help.

Events

Bellbird facilitates community-based Events that provide learning and training to support us all to feed our knowledge, develop our skills and grow a strong community of practitioners. In addition to our community-based events, Bellbird can develop and deliver specific workforce development to your organisation, please contact us to talk about how we can help.

About Bellbird

Our Way of Working

At Bellbird, we support community and social service practitioners to feel capable and confident in their work — to do good mahi, and to do it well.

Our suite of services, including coaching, workshops, consultation, and community initiatives, is designed to give individuals and organisations the tools, confidence, and connection they need to thrive. We work alongside people and communities who are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of individuals, whānau, hapū, iwi, and the wider social sector.

How We Work

We come together when there’s good mahi to be done — whether that’s designing and delivering training, supporting organisations through change, mentoring leaders, or building spaces that connect and inspire.

Our approach is:

  • Collaborative – valuing relationships, collective wisdom, and the power of working together

  • Authentic – grounded in practice, community, and heart

  • Flexible – recognising that meaningful work happens when people can bring their full selves

  • Impact-focused – committed to lasting, positive change for people and communities

We believe in the strength of collaboration — between practitioners, organisations, and communities — to create sustainable, systems-level impact. Through the expertise of our collective, including specialists in community development, collective impact, and organisational wellbeing, we help communities design solutions that make sense locally and create change that lasts.

What We Offer

Our work takes many forms, depending on what’s needed:

  • Public and hosted workshops – interactive, practice-focused training that builds capability and confidence

  • Supervision and coaching – professional and personal support for reflective, resilient practice

  • Mentoring and development programmes – nurturing leadership and growth within the social and community sector

  • Consultation and strategy – partnering with organisations and communities to strengthen systems, structures, and culture

  • Speaking and facilitation – bringing ideas to life through conferences, forums, and community events

  • Community-based initiatives – supporting collective approaches to wellbeing, collaboration, and impact 

Connect, Share, Inspire

Bellbird also hosts events that bring people together — to share ideas, to celebrate good work, and to reignite purpose. Our annual Bellbird Conference is a highlight of the year, offering space for reflection, inspiration, and connection across the sector. These gatherings are designed to equip people with practical tools, spark new thinking, and remind us all why this work matters.

At its heart, Bellbird is a nest — a place where ideas take flight, and where the collective strength of our flock helps everyone soar.

Meet The Team

Kelly Anne Panapa

Associate
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Known for expertise in bicultural policy frameworks and cultural transformation, efforts are focused on building inclusive systems that empower sustainable, community-led outcomes. Combining strategic acumen with a commitment to advancing Māori flourishing, the work reflects a passion for creating equitable platforms and fostering partnerships that drive meaningful progress.

Felicity Jansonius-Bidois

Associate
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Experienced project and policy professional with a focus on social impact, community development and youth engagement. Passionate advocate for the community, especially for tamariki and taiohi.

Rachael Bell

Bellbird Founder
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I have over 20 years’ experience as a qualified social worker, in a variety of roles including advisory training, and service delivery, all with a focus on child protection and the wellbeing of whānau. Part of my roles within management have been to work within the Quality Management system, including developing systems for continuous improvement and providing practice guidance and support to teams of social service practitioners.

Our Values

Tika / Integrity

  • To be ethical, trustworthy and respectful in everything we do.

Mātauranga / Knowledge

  • To have humility and understanding of the importance for continuous improvement and development.

  • To share knowledge for the development of others and the betterment of the community we serve.

Mahi Tahi / Partnership

  • To work together with the recognition that together we achieve something greater than as individuals.

  • To hold respected relationships with all those with whom we work.

Manaakitanga / Care

  • To show respect, generosity and care to all people, their whānau and community.

Our Associates

Among our wider collective are our Bellbird Associates — practitioners who have a deeper relationship with the Bellbird kaupapa. Associates collaborate closely with us on projects, events, and training, and often co-design and lead initiatives that align with their passions and expertise.

While connected to Bellbird, our Associates maintain their own professional identity, business, and independence. We celebrate that individuality — it’s what gives the collective its richness, diversity, and adaptability.
Contact our associates today

Need an event or speaker?

Bellbird offers a range of opportunities to share knowledge, connect with ideas and inspire people. If you would like Bellbird to develop something specific for you and your team, then please talk to us today. The Bellbird team are experienced speakers, and have extensive experience delivering workshops and presentations, at both national and international conferences as well as local events.

Get in touch

We'd love to talk more!

Get in touch to find out how we work together.
Contact Us

Our Testimonials

Loved loved loved! It was such an uplifting experience. The best conference I have ever been to. Speakers were great and I left feeling very inspired.
What an absolutely amazing event! I highly enjoyed it. It came at the perfect time when my wairua needed a boost.
Thank you for the opportunities Bellbird has opened to us. We look forward to all the future collaboration we have with you and your team.
Rachael is ever the professional, who models qualitative adult learning principles and approaches ensuring all her undertakings are not only well received and valued by attendees but also well evaluated capturing achievement of organisational objectives.

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