Christchurch City Council supporting cultural diversity
Managing relationships with Mäori, Pacific and cultural groups
The six Ngäi Tahu Rünanga, as represented by MKT, participate in Council decision-making processes around resource management and the preparation of policy statements and plans. MKT provides services to increase Council capacity and knowledge around protocol, translation and relationship-building.
The arrangement with MKT is a key step the Council has taken to fulfil its statutory obligations and gives effect to consult with Mäori, especially in matters that directly affect their culture and traditions as acknowledged by the Treaty of Waitangi.
Ngäi Tahu are Mana Whenua of most of the South Island, thus the Christchurch City Council has entered into an agreement with this group first. Council fully intends to establish relationships with non-Ngäi Tahu Mäori.
Council supports consultation and liaison with other ethnic minority communities including consultation around strategy development.
Council, Canterbury Development Corporation and Canterbury District Health Board have signed a special agreement with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs to ensure that any projects which may have an impact on Pacific communities will be communicated through the Ministry's existing networks.
Council advises Plains FM radio of any major projects which impact on culturally and linguistically diverse communities to notify community members on their community language programmes.
Council hosts the LGEpack (Local Government Education Pack) web page for community leaders and trainers to educate newcomers into Christchurch (particularly students) on both local and regional (Environment Canterbury) government.
Further info: Cultural diversity
Sustainable Otautahi/Christchurch
Seeking a more sustainable Christchurch City and Canterbury
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- More people are involved in decisions that affect them.
- Consultation processes allow meaningful public participation.
- Decision-makers actively respond to community input.
- We plan collaboratively.
Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch (SOC) was formed in 2005 and now has about 90 members. SOC's emphasis is on the four pillars of sustainability, not only on environmental sustainability.
Through newsletters, public forums and a website the SOC involves their members and the public in sustainability issues.
SOC has provided substantial submissions to the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy and other council strategies and policies. SOC members have also been involved in planning workshops. Their submissions are based on the knowledge of their members developed through participative workshops.
SOC was a member on the zero waste working party looking at waste collection, recycling and food scraps etc. They emphasise integrated waste management with consideration given to the environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of the whole waste system
SOC is working with others to have meaningful indicators used to measure the city’s progress to sustainability. They prefer a tool such as the Genuine Progress Indicator over GDP.
Learn more: Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch
Christchurch City Council older people consultation
Involving the community in decision making
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The Christchurch City Council uses a range of methods to consult with the community and involve it in decision making. It adapts its consultation to meet the needs of specific communities, illustrated by the methods used to engage with older people and youth.
When developing the Ageing Together older people’s policy the Council made the draft policy available in standard and large print type so people with sight impairments could read the text. It was promoted in local newspapers, Council pages and via a community radio station. The Metropolitan Community Advisor, Older Adults and People with Disability liaised with the Council’s Disability Advisory Group to advise them about the draft policy and encourage their wider discussion.
Staff met with representatives from seven sector organisations, one community board and the interim External Reference Group during the period of public consultation. Most of the seven groups consulted represent large numbers of individuals and are a single ‘voice’ for numerous other welfare/sector groups and individuals.
Further info: Older adults programmes
Network Waitangi Otautahi
Increasing understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi
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Network Waitangi Otautahi's (NWO) emphasis is in encouraging those who are not of Maori ancestry to understand the Treaty of Waitangi, particularly in relation to sustainable development. NWO has a strong commitment to taking a Community Development approach.
While most of their work is providing follow-up from introductory, refresher and implementation workshops, they also support those developing Treaty work and organise meetings on topics of interest. They are committed to ensuring accountability to the Network and to mana whenua.
Introductory workshops are designed to give everyone in the group the opportunity to learn from each other's experiences. They start from where people are and are non-confrontational. They are aimed at exploring what it means to live in this country, what the Treaty of Waitangi says and how to work for a society based on the treaty. Anyone is welcome to attend.
General areas covered are ancestry and culture, including cultural difference and economic issues; history of pre-Treaty times and events leading to the Treaty; the Treaty documents; post Treaty legislation etc; personal and cultural racism; bicultural/multicultural/partnership issues; colonisation and decolonisation; cultural safety; institutional racism and social statistics, Treaty settlement matters; models and possible actions for moving towards a treaty based society particularly in relation to sustainable development.
NWO is a voluntary educational incorporated society with charitable status. There are 36 NWO members, with an organising group of four.
Further info: Network Waitangi Otautahi
