Our overriding intention is to work collaboratively to create a healthy community. We see community building as a process, not an activity.
Healthy communities are based on the following:
Healthy Relationships
Between individuals.
Between and among groups, including whanau, hapu and iwi; community groups and organizations; and business associations.
Between people and their natural and built environments.
Social Cohesion
Respect for differences in ethnicity, religion, and political belief.
Clear community goals.
A strong sense of belonging.
Co-operation rather than competition among community groups.
Self Help
Strong communities are built from within, using and developing assets already in the community.
Outside help is valuable and should be sought in partnership with local efforts, and accepted only when it meets our needs; we should not be seduced by the promise of money or other resources on condition that we meet someone else’s agenda.
A Strong Local Economy
Poverty destroys social cohesion by disempowering and disenfranchising people, and making them dependent on outside agencies.
Local jobs and income based on local resources and activities are the keys to generating a strong local economy, creating capital for investment in community development, and improving everyone’s quality of life.
Ownership and Responsibility
People have to take responsibility for their own ideas and actions. We will not run other people’s programmes and activities for them; we will help them to make their dreams become reality. This means that we are particularly interested in projects that:
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Help people to feel good about themselves and their community -
Help people to feel that they belong here and are welcome here
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Put people in touch with each other and encourage them to support and help each other
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Help people to understand each other
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Encourage people to look after themselves, their families, their neighbours, and their environment
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Encourage people to get involved in their community.
