Plans & Publications » Statutory Publications » Archived plans & reports » 10-Year Plans » 10-Year Plan 2006-16 (incorporating the 2006/07 annual plan) - Approved » Detailed information » Community

Community

What the region wants

Strong and tolerant community – all members of our community are empowered to participate in decision-making and to contribute to society.

Entrepreneurial and innovative region – innovation and new endeavours are welcomed and encouraged.

Quality lifestyle – living in the Wellington region is enjoyable and people feel safe. Our art, sport, recreation and entertainment scenes are enjoyed by all community members – and attract visitors.

What we do

Run a democratic process

  • Provide opportunities for the public to participate in decision-making, e.g. in meetings or through planning and budgeting processes
  • Run elections and pay Councillors
  • Arrange and service Council meetings.

Involve Maori in our work

  • Work with iwi – collectively through Ara Tahi – and also individually
  • Assist iwi to undertake special projects and to work with Greater Wellington.

Participate in the Wellington Regional Strategy Forum

  • Work with city and district councils to develop a Wellington Regional Strategy
  • Fund the publication of economic data for the region.

Support the Westpac Stadium

  • Service a $25 million loan to the Stadium Trust.

Important targets by 30 June 2016

  • The community will be informed about, and given an opportunity to participate in, all Council’s significant decision-making and issues which may have an impact on rates
  • All statutory requirements for meetings, including public notice and public availability of order papers, will be met
  • Greater Wellington and iwi of the region will continue to have a mutually beneficial relationship
  • Greater Wellington will continue to develop and implement the Wellington Regional Strategy in partnership with territorial authorities in the region.

Our key partnerships

City and district councils
Chambers of commerce
Community
Iwi
Local Government New Zealand
Positively Wellington Business
Stadium Trust

Maori capacity

Greater Wellington Regional Council has a long-standing relationship with our region's iwi through a Charter of Understanding signed in 1993. This focuses on fostering greater Maori capacity to contribute to the Council's decision-making.

A review of the Charter in 2000 resulted in an expansion of its scope. Following the review, Greater Wellington developed a policy on strengthening the relationship through a range of initiatives. These include:

  • Greater use of iwi appointees on resource consent hearing panels
  • Annual technical workshops for Greater Wellington staff and iwi to share information, identify issues and solutions
  • Support for projects that enable iwi to become more directly involved in the management of resources
  • Potential secondments and exchanges between Council departments and iwi groups
  • Employment of two Maori liaison officers/Kaitakawaenga in specialist positions
  • Capacity building for Councillors and staff to enable them to better appreciate Maori perspectives.

The Council’s inter-iwi representative group is called Ara Tahi, and it provides a forum for discussion and policy advice.

Back to top