This case study tells the story of a unique partnership between Auckland Council’s The Southern Initiative (TSI) and the Social Wellbeing Agency. Together they developed a novel approach for combining science and data with lived experiences, to support better social sector decision making and practice. Recognising a shared interest in improving social wellbeing, TSI fostered a relationship with the Agency to explore a new way of working that could contribute to child, youth and family wellbeing in South Auckland, and elsewhere.