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Community Development Forums

We support a variety of community forums. For more information about the forums please contact the Community Development Team on 06-759 6060 or use the online contact us form.

Disability Forum

This forum is provided in partnership by us, Access Ability Ltd, Taranaki Disability Resource Centre, Disabled Persons Assembly, Tui-Ora and the APEPSI Trust. Four disability forums a year take place for the disability sector and interested community groups.

Maori Community Workers Forum

This forum was established to target Maori working in isolation from other Maori. The group holds informal meetings every second month, with each meeting held at a different venue. During each meeting there will be at least one presentation from a member of the group on a topic of their choice. The first meeting was held in April 2004.

The Positive Ageing Group

The Community Development Team coordinates the Positive Ageing Group, which holds monthly meetings. Members are from the main older persons' organisations such as Greypower and Age Concern, as well as key agencies such as the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), Work and Income, and Sport Taranaki.

The purpose of this group is to work closely with agencies, organisations and the New Plymouth community to create a district where older people are able to live positive lives. The group does this by responding to the needs identified in the council's Positive Ageing Policy.

Positive Ageing Policy

Turangawaewae Forum

Aa community forum was held with Ngati Te Whiti Ahi Kaa and the Human Rights Commission in July 2006. The free forum was an opportunity for the public to discuss “Tūrangawaewae: Authority to Belong”, what does it mean to ‘belong’ in our community? What does ‘tūrangawaewae – a place to stand’ mean to Tangata Whenua? How do I fit into the concept of ‘tūrangawaewae’? What context does this have in 2006 and beyond? Guest speakers included Colleen Tuuta, Wiki Keenan, Kinsley Sampson, Bill Macnaught and Bill Hamilton.

Turangawaewae Forum participant feedback (Five pages 69KB PDF)
Group feedback notes (Five pages 65KB PDF)
Suggested reading list (Two pages 15KB PDF)
Speaker presentations (Kinsley Sampson’s speech) (Four pages 17KB PDF)

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Women in Networks

These bi-monthly meetings are held over lunch and are an opportunity to network and share information on an informal basis. Guest speakers are invited, and recent topics include issues for ethnic women in New Zealand and mental health issues for women. Meetings are held on the last Friday bi-monthly. If you are interested in attending, please contact us.

Youth Forum

The Youth Forum is used to inform young people about what the Youth Subcommittee is doing, and the youth of the district can use this opportunity to tell the Youth Subcommittee what they want them to focus on. We also uses this event to ask young people for their opinions on specific topics.

Youth Workers Collective

The Youth Workers Collective was set up to strengthen networks and provide support to those working with young people/rangatahi. The collective supports group training that aids service delivery to youth, and builds the development of skills and knowledge of the members. It is also an informal opportunity to share information and discuss issues affecting young people.

Our Community Development Team coordinates this forum. It includes representatives from Work and Income, Waitara Project Trust, training providers, youth group leaders from churches, and health service providers.

Anyone who is working with youth, and who wishes to build networks and keep up to date on local events and issues affecting young people, can attend. There is no charge to attend.

Meetings are hosted by various group members on the first Tuesday of each month February to December. If you are interested in attending, please contact the council.

Community Development