KEY POINTS:
A group backed by Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall has picked a "first XV" of New Zealand's "social entrepreneurs".
The 15 members of the "New Zealand Social Entrepreneur Fellowship" will attend twice-yearly retreats where they will swap ideas and skills and meet philanthropists, including friends of Mr Tindall.
They are also expected to be role models for younger budding social innovators who will be brought together in a wider gathering in about two years.
The scheme, initiated by Mr Tindall through his Tindall Foundation, has been inspired by what fellowship executive officer Vivian Hutchinson describes as "an explosion of social entrepreneurship on an international level".
The term has a broad meaning, judging by New Zealand's first XV. The group includes architect Robin Allison of Ranui's Earthsong eco-village, disabled comedian Philip Patston and the founder of the Social Development Ministry's non-violent parenting "Skip" programme, Gael Surgenor.
Mr Hutchinson defines them as "change-makers - the people who pioneer systemic and sustainable solutions to our social problems".
He received more than 450 recommendations, interviewed 86 people and submitted a shortlist of 25 to a "Social Innovation Investment Group" of philanthropists chaired by Mr Tindall.
Some were weeded out by the investment group and some declined to take part, leaving a final group of nine men and six women.
"We were looking for a diverse group, so we were choosing on diversity, and we were choosing on people who were more open in terms of working in a peer learning environment," Mr Hutchinson said.
The value for the fellows is in the networking, including with philanthropists who may provide cash eventually.
The fellows, committed to participating for three years, are expected to retire in time to allow new members to be appointed, keeping the total at about 15.
CHANGE-MAKERS
Brian Donnelly, NZ Housing Foundation, North Shore.
Emeline Afeaki-Mafile'o, Affirming Works, Manukau.
Gael Surgenor, Ministry of Social Development, Wellington.
John Stansfield, Problem Gambling Foundation, Auckland.
Kim Workman, Prison Fellowship, Wellington.
Major Campbell Roberts, Salvation Army, Wellington.
Malcolm Cameron, Malcam Trust, Dunedin.
Ngahau and Debbie Davis, He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust, Moerewa.
Nuku Rapana, Pukapuka Island Community, Manukau.
Philip Patston, Diversityworks, Auckland.
Robin Allison, Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood, Waitakere.
Stephanie McIntyre, Downtown Community Ministry, Wellington.
Vivien Maidaborn, CCS (ex-Crippled Children Society), Wellington.
Vivian Hutchinson, NZ Social Entrepreneur Fellowship executive officer, New Plymouth.
