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Getting Involved in Community Outcomes Processes

Community outcomes describe what New Zealanders want for their local communities. These aspirations belong to the community, and everyone in the community has the opportunity to be involved in identifying and achieving their outcomes.

By getting involved, local people and groups can help shape New Zealand’s communities, now and for the future.

• How to get involved
• Why get involved
• Opportunities for central government
• The Interface Facilitation Team

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• How to get involved

• Joining in the consultation process

  
  
  Local authorities consult with their communities about community outcomes, at least every six years.
  
  The consultation process gives local people the opportunity to discuss the things that are important to their community, and its long-term future.
  
  Consultation gives the community the chance to influence the plans and decisions made for their community. It enables the local authority and other organisations making plans to understand what local people want for their community.
  
  Ways of consultation vary as local authorities take into account the diversity of their communities – from surveys to hui to road shows. Under the Local Government Act 2002, local authorities must encourage the public to participate in the consultation process.



• Making a submission to long-term and annual plans

  
  
  Community outcomes are used to guide and inform the activities of local authorities. Local authority activities, community outcomes, and how the activities contribute to the outcomes are explained in the long-term council community plan.
  
  Anyone can make a submission to the long-term council community plan. The plan is produced at least every three years. Contact your local authority to find out how to make a submission. Details for all New Zealands local authorities can also be found at www.localcouncils.govt.nz.
  
  You can also make a submission to the annual plan. Annual plans are produced in the two years between long-term council community plans.



• Taking part in community projects

  
  
  Local people and community groups can get involved in projects in the community that promote community well-being and achieve community outcomes.
  
  Contact your local authority to find out when they are talking with their community, what they are discussing, and how to get involved in community activities. Details for all New Zealands local authorities can also be found at www.localcouncils.govt.nz.

Further information about participating in local government.

View the current community outcomes for each local authority area in New Zealand.

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• Why get involved

Community outcomes processes provide an opportunity for local people to have their voice heard in decisions for the future of their community.

Community outcomes are the things local people think are important for ensuring the future well-being of their community. Community outcomes exist to guide and inform the plans of organisations such as local authorities, central government agencies and other groups working in the community. Achieving community outcomes will improve and ensure the future well-being of New Zealand’s communities.

Getting involved in the process means local people and groups have a say in local decision making. By participating in consultation local people can make sure organisations understand what is important to the community they are serving.

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• Opportunities for central government

Community outcomes processes encourage collaboration between central government, local government and other organisations.

The services of central government agencies, such as health care and policing, contribute to achieving community outcomes. Central government agencies also support community outcomes by providing funding, advice, monitoring information and other resources.

Although central government agencies have no prescribed role in community outcomes processes under the Local Government Act 2002, the processes are intended to include and be used by central government. The Act signals that central government should use community outcomes processes to promote the coordination and use of resources.

Government policy encourages central government to develop partnerships and relationships with local government to achieve mutually desired outcomes. (Central Government Engagement in Community Outcomes Processes, Summary of Cabinet Policy Committee Paper, DIA, 2004)

Community outcomes processes provide the opportunity for central government agencies to explain and discuss how they are working in the community.

By engaging with communities through community outcomes processes, central government has the opportunity to tailor resources and services to meet the needs of particular places.

Read a summary of the Cabinet Policy Committee Paper on Central Government Engagement in Community Outcomes Processes.

The Department of Internal Affairs Policy development guidelines for regulatory functions involving local government have been prepared to assist central government agencies to identify and consider key issues that may arise where local authorities are, or are proposed to be, involved in the implementation of regulatory functions.

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• The Interface Facilitation Team

The Department of Internal Affairs Interface Facilitation Team is here to help central government agencies get connected with local authorities, to build relationships and work together for community outcomes. Contact us or email communityoutcomes@dia.govt.nz.

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