Facilitation & Engagement — Connect People

We help people have important conversations, contribute to decision-making and work together around a shared purpose.

From a focused workshop to a wider engagement process, we create opportunities for people to share their knowledge, understand different perspectives and help shape the outcome.

Two men share a hongi beneath a poster reading keep people informed, involved, interested, inspired

Better understanding. More informed decisions.

People bring different experiences, responsibilities and expectations to the same issue. Good facilitation helps them work through those differences and make progress together.

Meaningful engagement brings relevant knowledge and perspectives into the work. It strengthens decisions and helps people understand how and why they have been made.

We provide independent facilitation and engagement support, with careful preparation, clear purpose and attention to the relationships involved.

How we can help

01Workshop and hui facilitationPlan and lead discussions that help people explore issues, develop ideas and agree next steps.
02Engagement planningIdentify who needs to be involved, how they can contribute and how their input will inform the work.
03Community and stakeholder engagementGather perspectives through conversations, interviews, group sessions and online participation.
04Partnership developmentHelp organisations and groups build understanding and work through shared priorities.
05Insights and reportingMake sense of contributions and communicate the findings clearly.

Our approach

We begin by understanding the purpose of the conversation, the people involved and the context they bring. We work with you to design a process that is appropriate, accessible and worth people’s time.

Our facilitation is open and personable, with enough structure to keep the discussion useful. We listen carefully, ask direct questions and help people work through both agreement and difference.

We also pay attention to what happens afterwards: how contributions inform the work, what decisions follow and how people stay connected to the process.

In their words

01 / 05

“Johny’s approach to facilitation is deceptively relaxed. His preparation in advance, combined with his collaborative and open style ensures that the time together is extremely well spent, and objectives realised.”

Kerensa JohnstonFormer CEO, Wakatū Incorporation

Johny has been the MC for our Aspire Conference for the past five years, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly.
He has an incredible ability to bring people together, create a positive atmosphere, and keep the audience engaged from start to finish. His humour, authenticity and ability to read the room ensure the day flows seamlessly while keeping the programme on time.
More than an outstanding MC, Johny has become a true ambassador for the Aspire Conference. Year after year, he brings energy, perspective and professionalism that elevate the experience for our speakers, sponsors and attendees alike.
If you’re looking for an MC who connects with people, enhances the audience experience and adds genuine value to your event, I highly recommend Johny.

Venus S Guy CMInstDChair, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce

Johny O’Donnell brought warmth and charisma to the stage, impressively handling timekeeping challenges and engaging the audience with insightful questions and seamless segues. His quick grasp of the complex issues and context of our event was invaluable, allowing him to connect deeply with the topics and speakers. His professionalism and reliability provided us with confidence and eased the stress of event planning. We would not hesitate to recommend Johny for MCing a large conference.

Annabel McAleerConference Organiser

Working with O’D&Co is nothing short of extraordinary. Johny’s communication and engagement style creates an immediate sense of ease; he makes the ambiguous feel reachable, holds complexity with grace, and brings a grounded steadiness into even the most dynamic or challenging environments.
Johny sets a clear pace, listens acutely, establishes relationships early, and reflects openly. He holds the room with humility and intention, creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and genuinely part of the process.
His practice is deeply culturally grounded; he centres iwi Māori and local context, responds with integrity to tikanga and place, and knows when to call in, when to call out, and when to bring in others to uphold cultural safety and authenticity. His approach to co-design is relational, not transactional: inclusive, iterative, and focused on shared understanding and collective impact.

Jen BennettCultural Competency Facilitator

O’D&Co have demonstrated an exceptional level of engagement in an authentically Māori way, showcasing a deep understanding and appreciation for Māori values, particularly their commitment to manaakitanga in the way they work with their clients, prioritising strong relationships and mutual respect.
O’D&Co take a strategic approach to their work, with a high level of professionalism and expertise, providing solutions and frameworks that are both effective and culturally appropriate.
I highly recommend O’D&Co to anyone looking for a partner who can provide an authentic values-based perspective and approach, combined with a strategic and results-driven mindset.

Corey HebberdCEO, Rangitāne o Wairau

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