Policies

Enhance and improve public engagement through all forms of communication, particularly face-to-face meetings.

Continue to engage with Māori in all aspects of council business, encouraging participation and input to governance.

Take a leadership role across the region around climate resilience and disaster management.

Continue with public forums on major issues with a focus on those that are community-based.

Build resilience amongst workforce to encourage stability and skill based employment.

Encourage and facilitate public engagement with the council. Continue the support of community led groups such as catchment groups.

Ensure there is continued representation of local iwi on the council and its committees.

Ensure the council maintains open and transparent processes with meetings being open to the public and minimise in-committee meetings.

Support our already-strong co-governance arrangements with manawhenua.

Open council workshops to the public.

Encourage greater numbers of petitions and presentations from members of the public.

Advocate for focus group interactions to achieve input from more Southland communities.

Recognise treaty responsibilities and seek broader understanding of co-governance for council and communities.

Strengthen and grow authentic relationships with mana whenua and mana moana, and encourage more indigenous voices to be heard at council.

Support people to come and present their views and concerns at council meetings and community forums.

Increase public participation in focus groups and workshops.