Our direction

Our draft long-term plan for 2021-41 is a plan for resilience and growth and Mana Whenua and the Mayor invite your feedback on what is proposed. As part of our vision, we have developed community outcomes to guide our decision making and we want to know if you think they are the right priorities.

Our community outcomes

We’ve developed community outcomes to guide our decision-making. The outcomes reflect input from our iwi partners and the community – from a range of conversations during 2020 and particularly our 'What matters most' engagement. These community outcomes connect to our vision of a thriving environment, vibrant economy and strong communities, which are underpinned by the principles presented in Te Kaupapa Mātua (See page 10 in our consultation document, Securing our future).

• Mana Whenua and Council have a mutually mana-enhancing partnership
• our communities are resilient, safe, healthy, thriving and connected; everyone has a sense of belonging and can access the resources and services they need 
• our local economy is prosperous with ample opportunities for people to work and learn in Kāpiti
• our natural environment is restored and enhanced as we transition to a low-carbon future
• our people have access to suitable housing in Kāpiti so that they can live and thrive.

Mana Whenua and Council have a mutually mana-enhancing partnership

Pūkengatanga/Whanaungatanga | Strong communities – Thriving environment – Vibrant economy

The Council contributes by:

• supporting knowledge sharing between Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā
• partnering with local iwi to identify and achieve Mana Whenua community wellbeing goals
• strengthening capacity of Māori to work within government frameworks
• adequately resourcing Mana Whenua to engage with Council as partners.

Our communities are resilient, safe, healthy, thriving and connected; everyone has a sense of belonging and can access the resources and services they need

Manaakitanga/Whanaungatanga | Strong communities

The Council contributes by:

• partnering with iwi, local organisations, and central government to coordinate and facilitate equitable distribution of resources
• advocating for better facilities and services on behalf of our communities
• using and improving our local knowledge of our communities to identify their needs
• facilitating connectivity across the community (groups and individuals) and between communities
• funding locally led initiatives.

Our local economy is prosperous, with ample opportunities for people to work and learn in Kāpiti

Pūkengatanga/Whanaungatanga | Vibrant economy

The Council contributes by:

• seeking government investment/development of regional hubs
• improving our transport connections such as rail and air
• partnering with iwi, local organisations and others to actively promote existing local business, and facilitate and encourage new businesses to establish
• funding local events, and promoting the district as a destination
• ensuring the local economy benefits our communities’ wellbeing
• growing skills and capability, and potential for jobs, especially for young people
• supporting the growth and promotion of sectors that provide the most potential for economic wellbeing.

Our natural environment is restored and enhanced as we transition to a low-carbon future

Kaitiakitanga/Pūkengatanga | Thriving environment

The Council contributes by:

• leading by example through reducing Council’s carbon emissions to be carbon neutral by 2025
• embedding sustainable practices within Council service delivery
• facilitating and empowering community projects and initiatives
• educating and promoting sustainable practices in the community to see a reduction in carbon and waste
• restoring our environment through dune restoration and native planting
• ensuring our freshwater quality and protection through our stormwater network.

Our people have access to suitable housing in Kāpiti so that they can live and thrive

Ūkaipōtānga | Strong communities – Housing

The Council contributes by:

• partnering with iwi, local organisations, central government and others to deliver housing solutions
• using the regulatory powers available to it to facilitate increased supply
• providing social housing for older persons.

Our contribution to the wellbeing of our community

By working towards these community outcomes, we contribute to the wellbeing of our community.

Council’s focus on wellbeing has been reinforced with the Government’s reintroduction of the four wellbeing into the Local Government Act 2002 – our governing legislation. This means that contributing to the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of our community is a core purpose of Council, which we welcome.

Our focus on responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in this plan links to all facets of wellbeing and particularly social and  economic wellbeing. For this long-term plan we are drawing on the broad definitions of wellbeing prepared by Taituarā (formerly the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers) which many councils are using.

• Social wellbeing involves individuals, their families, whānau, hapu, iwi, and a range of communities being able to set goals and achieve them, such as education, health, the strength of community networks, financial and personal security, equity of opportunity, and rights and freedoms.
• Cultural wellbeing looks at the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviours and identities reflected through language, stories, visual and performing arts, ceremonies and heritage that make up our communities.
• Environmental wellbeing considers whether the natural environment can sustainably support the activities that constitute healthy community life, such as air quality, fresh water, uncontaminated land, and control of pollution.
• Economic wellbeing looks at whether the economy can generate the employment and wealth necessary to provide many of the requirements that make for social wellbeing, such as health, financial security, and equity of opportunity.

Our Mana Whenua–Council partnership to sustain our community