A message from the organisers

"Community is the future of New Zealand.  Never before have we seen such an outpouring of effort and energy into our own backyards.  Was it the 'economic recession'?  Is it because we are more connected through cellphones and the internet?  Is it just the current generation's understanding of the importance of society?

 No matter what the cause we must take this spark of community passion and fuel it!  And who better to do this than the very groups which have been protecting the interests of community in New Zealand since the end of the eighteenth century: residents' associations.

 This conference is a place for people from residents' groups to meet one another, discuss issues important to them, and show local and central government that this is a group to be taken seriously.  It is a forum for future thinking, sharing ideas, and building networks.  Most importantly, it is a recognition of the importance of residents' groups to New Zealand society."