For the last thirty years, vivian has been involved in establishing an variety of practical training programmes for the out-of-work, leading many community workshops and gatherings on the future of work, and promoting positive community action ... not just on employment issues, but on all citizen activities that foster “the common good”.

vivian was a founding trustee of the Taranaki Work Trust, and part of the team that created its innovative projects such as the Starting Point Employment Resource Centre, the Skills of Enterprise Business Courses, the Enterprise Centre and New Venture Workshops.

During this time, vivian was also involved in securing national and local government support for employment initiatives. He helped establish community employment-related sections within the Department of Labour, and he has worked with several local authorities in the establishment of their economic development programmes.

vivian has also worked with many New Zealand national networks, such as the Local Employment Committees (LECs) ... in his efforts to promote greater co-operation, collaboration and co-ordination between the different agencies and community groups working in the employment field.

In 1994, vivian joined with Jo Howard, Ian Ritchie and Dave Owens to establish the Jobs Research Trust. For the next decade, he was Executive Editor of The Jobs Letter, a community-based media project which developed and distributed essential information to help communities create more jobs and reduce unemployment and poverty. The Jobs Letter was published every 2-3 weeks from 1994 to 2006. vivian also designed and managed The Jobs Letter Website at www.jobsletter.org.nz, which in 1999 won the Premier Award in the internet category of the NZ Media Peace Awards.

In 1999, vivian was instrumental in calling together the NZ Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, which is working to ensure that no young person under 25 years will be out of work or training in our communities. This network now has over 95% of the country’s Mayors as members. The Mayors Taskforce has secured up a partnership with the New Zealand Government to work towards a national goal that all young people under 20 years in New Zealand will be “engaged in appropriate education, training, work, or other options which will lead to long term economic independence and well-being.”

In 2001, vivian established The Employment Catalyst, a philanthropic fund for employment initiatives, which has the backing of The Tindall Foundation. This fund provides matching funding for employment initiatives throughout New Zealand that have been inspired by the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.

As a Community Adviser to the Taskforce, vivian has been working with community groups, Mayors and local authorities in establishing youth employment and apprenticeship programmes. This work has led to a fresh approach to youth transitions from school-to-work, community case management, and youth mentoring ... all designed to “stay in connection” with young people until they are on a positive pathway of employment or further training.

In addition to his work in community employment initiatives, vivian has also been a cultural entrepreneur creating network gatherings and learning communities for “New Zealanders working for the common good”. In 1985, he launched the Festivals of Co-operation which brought together community-based activists from a wide variety of service sectors from employment, environment, health, justice, race relations and peace issues. In 1989, these Festivals grew to become the Heart Politics gatherings which continue to be run twice a year at the Tauhara Conference Centre, in Taupo.

vivian has also toured and has spoken on employment, economic and social justice issues in Australia, the United States, and Britain. In 2005, he was the first New Zealander to be invited as a speaker at the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, where he gave a presentation on Healing Unemployment, and participated in panels on community activism.

In 2001, vivian was presented with a Kea Award from Steve Maharey, Minister of Social Development and Employment, in recognition of his work for New Zealand as a social entrepreneur.

In 2004, he was given a Citizens Award by the New Plymouth District Council.

In 2006, vivian was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for Community Services (QSM) in the New Zealand New Years Honours, in recognition of his work in race relations, social justice, job creation, and philanthropy.

In 2005, he was invited to become the Executive Officer of the Social Innovation Investment Group, a coalition of private philanthropists who wish to foster social entrepreneurship in New Zealand.

In 2006, this group launched the New Zealand Social Entrepreneur Fellowship as part of a strategy to foster innovations that will lead to “systemic and sustainable solutions” to New Zealand’s major social challenges.