Community kōrero 

Siv Fjærestad, Community Development Coordinator, South Wairarapa District Council 

Ehāra taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. 

(My strength is not as an individual but as a collective.)

Last year the South Wairarapa District Council and Carterton District Council partnered to create a Community Development Coordinator role working across the two districts. We set out to learn about our communities and about what local government Community Development would look like. 

We were humbled and inspired by the number and variety of amazing community mahi that is already taking place in our district. All our communities have different strengths and have carefully calibrated and maintained a variety of mechanisms for enabling wellbeing in their communities. 

I am excited to be in the role as Community Development Coordinator for the South Wairarapa District Council. It is not a small task, but I am not alone. After a few months I have met many people, but there are also so many more to meet. I am standing at the foot of a vast and magnificent mountain. A key focus over the next year will continue to be connecting with and learning from, and together with, those who are at the heart of our communities about: 

what community and wellbeing means to South Wairarapa residents, groups, whānau, hapū and iwi;

• where are the gaps;
• what are some of our opportunities and our aspirations. 

From this information we will be able to start identifying ways in which we can partner with and support our communities in being resilient, healthy, vibrant, supported, and be the catalysts of their own wellbeing.  

I will be sharing bi-monthly updates on some of the challenges, initiatives or opportunities that I am learning about, or case studies from other communities and useful resources around community-led development. These resources will be made available on the Hāpori Community section on the new South Wairarapa District Council website.

Neighbourhood Support

Right now, I would like the community’s feedback on the need for Neighbourhood Support (NS). Our neighbouring regions have a thriving NS community. South Wairarapa has an opportunity to consider the role and place of NS within our community, and what that need looks like.  Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide community-led movement that brings people and neighbourhoods together to create safe, resilient and connected communities https://www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz/

Some of the questions that I’m interested in getting answers to are:

• What is the need for NS in our communities? 
• What are some of the benefits of NS that you have experienced, or you think NS will provide? 
• What are some positive outcomes that you hope to achieve by joining? 
• What are some alternative models or activities that you believe would enhance your community being safe, resilient and connected? 
• What other support do you currently use in your community?

I’d like to hear from you.  Please send your feedback to cdco@swdc.govt.nz