About DevNet

The Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Studies Network was established to link people and organisations in New Zealand involved and interested in the broad field of development. With over 2,000 members, the network also has many members outside of New Zealand.

If you would like to see a copy of the annual DevNet report to NZAID, contact the DevNet Coordinator.

Aim

DevNet’s aim is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information and research between and amongst Development Studies staff and students in tertiary institutions, and key stakeholders in development. Such stakeholders include: aid and development NGOs, private sector development practitioners, and government (particularly NZAID Nga Hoe Tuputupu-mai-tawhiti, the New Zealand Agency for International Development).

Network Structure

Membership

Membership is free. We would like everyone involved in development research and practice to become members.

Join DevNet

Governance

Overall direction of the Network is set by the National Forum, which meets at the time of DevNet Conferences (every two years) and is open to anyone to attend.

Ongoing governance of DevNet takes place via its steering committee, which meets every 3-4 months. Each university has one representative on the steering committee, as do NZAID, the Council for International Development (CID) and Global Focus Aotearoa. Current steering committee members:

Regina Scheyvens (chair)

Massey University

Love Chile

Auckland University of Technology

Aileen Davidson

Council for International Development

David Gegeo

University of Canterbury

Doug Hill

University of Otago

Ken Jackson

University of Auckland

Mike Lyne

Lincoln University

Andrew McGregor

Victoria University

Maria McMillan

Global Focus Aotearoa

Sandy Morrison

University of Waikato

Vijay Naidu (associate member)

           University of the South Pacific

Terence Wood

NZAID

Student representative (tbd)

 

DevNet members may click on the names to view more about them in the Members Database, using their username and password. If you are not a DevNet member, you cannot view this information.

DevNet Members Database

History

1993: 'Development that Works: Lessons from the Asia Pacific'

The idea for an Aotearoa New Zealand Development Studies network had existed for a number of years, reflecting a need for Aotearoa New Zealand's small but diverse 'development community' to link together through dialogue and information sharing. In 1993, Massey University under the guidance of Croz Walsh organised the 'Development that Works: Lessons from the Asia Pacific' conference. It brought together for the first time a diverse array of development representatives to discuss successful (and not so successful) initiatives and the lessons learned from these.

1995-97: DevNet's formation

By 1995, three Development Studies programmes were running in Aotearoa New Zealand universities (Auckland, Massey and Victoria). Penny Schoeffel then Fred Deyo at Auckland, John McKinnon (Victoria) and John Overton (Massey) were in contact over a number of issues relating to their programmes and were keen to maintain a spirit of cooperation and information sharing. These academics were in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT) development division (the earlier manifestation of NZAID) and the Council for International Development (CID), and wanted to strengthen their links with these organisations and the wider development community. They were also in touch with Croz Walsh (then at the University of the South Pacific) who distributed the newsletter Te Amokura to those with an interest in Development Studies.

Council for International Development

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

In July 1996 the Development Studies programme at Auckland University sent a questionnaire to development NGOs, consultants and other academic programmes to gauge levels of interest in establishing a communication network and related activities between development practitioners, policy makers, students and academics. After an extremely positive response, it was followed up at a meeting amongst MFAT, NGO representatives and Development Studies programme directors, where it was agreed to formally initiate a Development Studies Network. That year, DevNet was officially established to link development studies programmes, students of development, development practitioners, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies together as a way to share information and cooperate on activities of mutual interest.

1997-98: Auckland University to the Development Resource Centre

The network was initially situated at Auckland University for its pilot year 1997-98 under the coordination of Ross Bell. The year culminated in the inaugural conference 'Linkages in Development: Issues of Governance' again with a focus in the Asia Pacific region. Generously supported by MFAT, it was a significant and successful event; it appealed to a large number of academics, students and development practitioners. The conference demonstrated the importance of bringing together the wider development community to learn from each other. In November 1998, DevNet's secretariat was moved to Dev-Zone, a programme of the Development Resource Centre (DRC). Te Amokura has lapsed but electronic communication has expanded significantly.

Today: DevNet and Global Focus Aotearoa

During 2008-09, DevNet's host, the DRC, underwent a rebranding that lead to the launch of Global Focus Aotearoa in December 2009. DevNet continues as it is however. DevNet has over 2,000 members and is undergoing a website redevelopment.

Global Focus Aotearoa

Contact the DevNet Coordinator with any questions.