Foreword and Acknowledgements

Foreword

The Department of Internal Affairs actively supports collaboration between local authorities, central government agencies, Māori and a wide range of non-government organisations, to enable more effective planning and better coordination and application of community resources.

This report focuses on collaboration among multiple agencies working together in a particular locality, Kaipara District, a rural, isolated community in Northland New Zealand. It was developed with the Interface Facilitation Team, which is part of the Local Government and Community Branch of the Department. The team has a role collecting and sharing good practice and experiences of collaboration as part of its work to strengthen central and local government relationships.

The story of the Kaipara Community Outcomes Process Steering Group (K-COP) is reported here as a resource to guide other people who are working to develop inter-agency networks and projects in their own areas. These are projects that aim to solve complex issues and achieve community wellbeing.

Acknowledgements

This report recognises the valuable input from a number of members of K-COP. Their honest and thoughtful contributions form the basis of this document.

• Jack McKerchar, Chief Executive, Kaipara District Council
• Beth Neill, Social Development Manager, Ministry of Social Development
• Leonie McGee, Regional Relationship Manager, Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development
• Lisa Kidwell, Community Development and Funding Advisor, Department of Internal Affairs
• Ken Kawiti, Labour Market Knowledge Manager, Department of Labour
• Carol Ashton, Regional Manager, Career Services
• Sheryl Davis, Kaiwhakarite, Te Puni Kokiri
• Deb Harding , Manager, Te Uri o Hau Tangata Development Ltd
• Debbie Evans, Chief Executive, Kaipara Community Health Trust
• Raewyn Fowlie, Contracts Manager, Kaipara Care Inc PHO