REGISTER HERE

The Programme

The Workshops

There are two workshop sessions, each with three streams.  The morning session addresses external matters while the afternoon session has a more internal focus.

Morning Workshop Session (10:30 ~ Noon)

• Stream A: Engaging with your Council

• Stream B: Working alongside your community

• Stream C: Building stronger local democracy

Afternoon Workshop Session (1:30 ~ 3:00)

• Stream D: Understanding the law

• Stream E: Organisational governance and management

• Stream F: Future issues - how will they affect residents?

In addition there will be presentations of current research, a guest speaker, and an official welcome by the Minister of Revenue and Leader of the United Future Party, Hon. Peter Dunne, M.P.

Super City

- Wellington seems likely to be next on the menu for a regional makeover... what are the implications at the community level?

- What style of leadership do people at the heart of communities want to see in a "Super Mayor"?

Running a Residents' Association

- What makes a 'successful' residents' group?

- What resources, assistance, information, and networks are available for residents' groups?

Engaging with Councils

- Councils are very big on 'engagement' these days... but it is a two-way street and the community sector is starting to gain a better understanding of best practice.

- The law in this country is heavily weighted in favour of citizens.  The problem is that in many cases we are ignorant of our rights.

- Some Councils are making a sterling effort to engage with their communities... hear about the good AND the bad.

The Venue

Grand Hall - Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

 The 27-metre long Grand Hall is on the first floor of Parliament House.  The arched stained glass windows and stained glass ceiling domes are designed so that lighting behind them enhances the decor of the room.

 The Grand Hall, which is close to the Chamber, was used for most of its history as the Members’ Lounge. It was a place where members could play billiards and socialise, especially during late (or all-night) sittings of the House.  In those days the Grand Hall was only open to the public on high ceremonial occasions like the State Opening of Parliament.

 During refurbishment between 1992 and 1995 a new parquet floor of Australian spotted gum, partially covered with a thick traditional-style carpet, was installed, the heart rimu panelled walls were stripped, strengthened, replaced, and re-varnished gilded plasterwork was replaced to replicate the original architect’s design the arched stained glass panels in the upper walls and the large glass domes in the ceiling were refurbished.

 The Grand Hall today is a sought-after venue for receptions, dinners, and other functions hosted by members of Parliament.

What you need to know about this event and the people behind it…

 The Residents.org.nz database is a collaboration of the Newlands Paparangi Progressive Association and Council Watch.  It was originally an initiative by the New Zealand Resilience Trust: a charitable trust that supports the development of civic responsibility in New Zealand.

 Residents 2010 Conference is a pilot for what is hoped will be several regional forums around the country throughout the next local government triennium.

The conference is a way to capture the vox populis… “the voice of the people”.  This is a conference by the people, for the people.

 The convenor of Residents 2010 and the organising committee are experienced and dedicated community sector leaders who see the power of many people coming together as a single voice as one way to improve transparency and democracy in the local government sector.