Our vision of 'more life in life' is for communities to flourish, fulfil their potential and live life to its fullest. It recognises that the Whakatāne District offers a great quality of life – that this district is a great place to live, work, play, raise a family and do business.
More life in life
Working together to make living better for our communities, now and in the future
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Our five strategic priorities
Ngā take matua e rima
The following priorities have been identified as the things we need to focus on most to take action on our ‘More life in life’ vision.
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Enhancing the safety, wellbeing and vibrancy of communities
Me mātua whakanui i te marutau, te oranga, me te wana o ngā hapori
What we'll focus on
- Support our smaller and remote communities to plan for their future – what changes should occur in the area and when, all across the district; and invest in making these changes happen.
- Increase safety for people moving around the district (e.g. community safety cameras, good lighting, multi-modal transport, accessibility for people with disabilities).
- Invest wisely in recreation, events and the arts to have a broader range of ‘things to do’ (especially for youth).
- Work with other agencies and community organisations to focus on social wellbeing outcomes (such as health, homelessness and safety).
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Strengthening relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau
Me mātua whakawhanake i ngā kōtuituinga ā-iwi, ā-hapū, ā-whānau anō hoki
What we'll focus on
- Implement strategies and programmes designed to enhance staff and councillor capability and capacity to effectively partner with iwi, hapū and whānau.
- Enable iwi participation in planning, decisionmaking and reflect cultural aspirations through the projects we deliver (e.g. financial support, capability, design).
- Work alongside Māori land owners to support and enable development of Māori land as appropriate.
- Work with iwi, hapū and whānau to improve equity and wellbeing outcomes.
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Building climate change and natural hazard resilience, including our infrastructure
Me mātua whakakaha i te aumangea ki te huringa āhuarangi me ngā matepā taiao tae ana ki te hangaroto
What we'll focus on
- Ensure our key infrastructure (roads and pipes) are resilient to the effects of natural hazards and climate change.
- Ensure the District Plan (rules for how people can build on and develop their land) recognises, manages and mitigates the effects of natural hazards because of climate change.
- Support people to navigate District Plan rules and requirements.
- Partner with at-risk communities about climate change adaptation and what this might mean for them (e.g. those communities that may be impacted by rising sea-levels, flooding).
- Work with communities to ensure the district is well-prepared for emergency management.
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Facilitating economic regeneration and responding to development pressures
Me mātua whakahaere i te tipuranga o te taiōhanga me ngā tonotono whare
What we'll focus on
- Setting direction for where and what type of development should occur using spatial planning, district planning and strategic planning processes for infrastructure, urban development and economic growth.
- Build relationships and partnerships with other councils, agencies and groups to support and advocate for development and growth.
- Back our economy, in particular the tourism and events sectors, to enable economic and employment growth and attract new business and investment into the district.
- Use all of Council’s procurement tools to achieve greater gains for our local economy, workforce and environment.
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Shaping a green district
Kia toitū te rohe
What we'll focus on
- Be actively involved in reducing the district’s carbon footprint and enabling alternative energies (e.g. solar farms).
- Advocate to central government on environmental issues on behalf of the community (e.g. apply for government funding and represent our local views).
- Provide active leadership to minimise and manage waste to develop a more circular economy.
- Ensure Council’s decision-making and operations reflect our environmental priorities.
Further to our five strategic priorities, there are two additional considerations that underpin everything that Council does. These are Māori Relationships and Responding to Climate Change.