New Plymouth District Council
Local democracy
Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.
Local democracy
Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.
Hold pop-up events in public spaces for councillors to meet residents including minority groups to encourage open communication.
Publish updates regularly in plain language on decisions, projects and outcome of community input.
Facilitate citizens assemblies for direct engagement including Māori, Pasefika, disabled, Rainbow, migrant and youth communities.
Make all public-facing council communications in plain language to ensure accessibility and invest in plain language training for all staff.
Support the development of a youth council.
Communicate effectively to gain trust in and support for common goals, and ensure value for money spent to gather trust.
Be cost efficient to provide benefits to all of community, develop a stronger commercial ethos with less substantive execution considerations.
Regard Māori or any other large specific group requiring representation as an important part of relevant democracy.
Complete three internal staffing reviews by the chief executive in the last 18 months and make external appointments to the audit and risk committee.
Conduct yearly customer service surveys, seek public engagement on all major policies, and ensure iwi representation on two major decision-making committees.
Hold mini-citizens assembly gatherings quarterly with several councillors and improve the council's public engagement to be more genuine.
End race-based policies across local government and treat every resident equally and fairly.
Oppose voting rights for unelected iwi representatives so decisions rest with elected councillors.
Uphold free speech in council venues so lawful community groups can access them without bias.
Increase public engagement within council decisions to better engage the community with the council.
Create a transparent framework for decision-making, policies and projects that earns trust and keeps council accountable to the community.
Implement a robust project management framework with realistic scoping, accurate budgets and proven methodologies to deliver as promised.
Right-size council by auditing services, consulting the community and making the changes needed as the priority.
Bring common sense back into repairs and maintenance within the city limits with fewer road cones and faster repairs and maintenance.
Explore bringing core services back to council departments and staff rather than outside contractors.
Review all systems and council staffing levels to ensure ratepayers are getting value for money.
Hold pop-up events in public spaces for councillors to meet residents including minority groups to encourage open communication.
Publish updates regularly in plain language on decisions, projects and outcome of community input.
Facilitate citizens assemblies for direct engagement including Māori, Pasefika, disabled, Rainbow, migrant and youth communities.
Make all public-facing council communications in plain language to ensure accessibility and invest in plain language training for all staff.
Support the development of a youth council.
Communicate effectively to gain trust in and support for common goals, and ensure value for money spent to gather trust.
Be cost efficient to provide benefits to all of community, develop a stronger commercial ethos with less substantive execution considerations.
Regard Māori or any other large specific group requiring representation as an important part of relevant democracy.
Complete three internal staffing reviews by the chief executive in the last 18 months and make external appointments to the audit and risk committee.
Conduct yearly customer service surveys, seek public engagement on all major policies, and ensure iwi representation on two major decision-making committees.
Hold mini-citizens assembly gatherings quarterly with several councillors and improve the council's public engagement to be more genuine.
End race-based policies across local government and treat every resident equally and fairly.
Oppose voting rights for unelected iwi representatives so decisions rest with elected councillors.
Uphold free speech in council venues so lawful community groups can access them without bias.
Increase public engagement within council decisions to better engage the community with the council.
Create a transparent framework for decision-making, policies and projects that earns trust and keeps council accountable to the community.
Implement a robust project management framework with realistic scoping, accurate budgets and proven methodologies to deliver as promised.
Right-size council by auditing services, consulting the community and making the changes needed as the priority.
Bring common sense back into repairs and maintenance within the city limits with fewer road cones and faster repairs and maintenance.
Explore bringing core services back to council departments and staff rather than outside contractors.
Review all systems and council staffing levels to ensure ratepayers are getting value for money.
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