Local Government & Planning
Kāwanatanga ā-Hāpori me te Whakatakoto Tikanga
We as a community intend to be more knowledgeable about and more involved in the planning for our area and community. Learning about what local government looks like here and what boards and committees exist is the first step. Understanding the roles of these boards and committees and learning about how planning is done – is pretty interesting! This new Raglan Naturally Focus Area is about bringing all this information into one place and looking at how we can be more involved in planning for our community.
A community that understands these things can get more involved and new leaders can be supported.
We have a district council that is clearly indicating they want to work with a more ‘bottom up’/community led approach to planning. They support our community planning. Raglan also has an elected Councillor at WDC who represents the Raglan/Whaingaroa Ward in a governance capacity for our community.
A pro-active Community Board that responds to community and consults widely with the community. The Community Board is committed to supporting the implementation of the Community Plan and its regular review.
That generally is efficient in making their views known to Local Government; a strong community focus as exemplified by the RN community plan, as well as other groups (Placemakers, etc.).
The Committee manages most maintenance and enhancement of the Historic building. The Town Hall is the 2nd most utilised hall in the district. Users include regular recreation groups involving many youth and local events are run annually by different community organisations. The committee is active in the community and receives many positive comments regarding the facility.
A diverse committee with local knowledge and experience and commitment to the RN process.
We have a constituent member from Raglan, Fred Lichtwark, who is an elected member alongside Pamela Storey, both represent the Waikato. This means that there are representatives focusing on our catchment and lobbying for projects and funding for the benefit of all in our area.
We have a constituent member from Raglan, Fred Lichtwark, who is an elected member alongside Pamela Storey, both represent the Waikato. This means that there are representatives focusing on our catchment and lobbying for projects and funding for the benefit of all in our area.
is seen as the Hub of the Community. We provide a safe space for everyone to share including locals, travellers, visitors, professionals and anyone else who wish to share in our space and this is definitely reflected by our team. The Team are representative of our Community as a whole from Tangata whenua, farming, local business owner, conservationists, surfers, parents, fishers and life long relationships with the community.
Most common themes from the community
Well considered planning and development
Regular community engagement and participation to ensure every part of our community has a say in governance and planning issues affecting them.
Explore what self-governance could look like in Raglan. Explore increased community autonomy and decision making and more control at the community board level.
To be a transparent and inclusive community that is knowledgeable about and involved in the planning and local government for our area.
Strengthen the community’s relationship with whānau, hapū and iwi work towards a true partnership as per te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Raglan Naturally Plan – our ‘living’ community plan is representative of our wider community and is there to help guide the development of this place.
Raglan Naturally is an ongoing process, managed by our community and is part of the connection to the Raglan Community Board. Raglan Naturally is well governed, sustainable, supported by all stakeholders and is able to keep the plan alive and source additional funding for community projects.
All parties (community, Iwi and hapū, local organisations, Councils etc) come together and work towards cohesive and community driven development of Raglan and our rural communities. This would include town centre planning, possible Structure Plan and would take into consideration the key challenges for our communities.
More localised consultation/planning/decision making and implementation.
We have effective elected individuals as councillor, on the community board and steering committees. These people are diverse and representative of the voices in our communities.
We understand and are confident in the rates spending by councils for Raglan and the rural communities.
Possible pathways toward achieving these aspirations
Set up a Charitable trust to take on the community leadership of implementation, convene ongoing training, workshops, discussions to build community leadership and resilience.
- Redistribution of power and authority from WDC to Raglan Community Board. An example is that the community board could manage a Town Development Fund. This could be made up of funds from Harbour Board Leases, boat ramp and parking charges etc.
- Extend Raglan Community Board boundary to include the whole of the Raglan Ward, this includes our rural communities of Ruapuke, Te Mata, Te Uku, Waingaro and Waitetuna
- Waikato District Council sets aside funds to train and introduce its members to their Community Board responsibilities under the Local Government Act
Raglan Community Board to review meeting and workshop times to build inclusivity and participation. A forum is established, as part of community board meetings, to discuss relevant strategy issues
- Continual community learning, engagement and participation through events, summits and agenda setting workshops
- Administration arm attached to the RCB to improve community engagement from all groups, coordinate community input/interest and communicate data/findings. Monitor development consents. Ensure transparency.
- Prioritising infrastructure via local consultation
- RN and RCB to continue working with Iwi and hapū to develop a relationship that is based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is equitable and inclusive
- Consider Raglan rates to benefit local area. Rates review.
- All committees of WDC and under delegation to RCB are open and transparent and include hapu and iwi representatives.
- Seek support from the Raglan Community Board and councils to first, ensure we understand our key challenges and second, ensure that these are taken into account in all strategic planning. One of these being ‘loss of Raglan identity’ and ensuring Raglan keeps it ‘small town’ feel.
- Understand the value of a structure plan for Raglan and decide if this is what we need
- Raglan Naturally continues to work closely with WDC in their Blueprint planning. Raglan Naturally and the Raglan Blueprint come together and feed strongly into the next Waikato District Council Annual and Long Term Plans and District Plan.
- The community decides on Raglan Naturally’s ongoing role, governance structure and sustainability. Action is taken to set this up.
- Raglan Naturally works with the community to create a Raglan Naturally implementation plan with priorities for action.
- Regional Council’s Coastal Plan review. Be informed and involved.
‘West Coast Harbours’ Treaty Settlements. Learn about and support iwi and hapū.
- District Plan Review. Be informed and involved. RN to follow through on its submission to the District Plan.
- Wainui Reserves Management Plan Review. RN and Raglan Community Board to work with WDC to ensure an inclusive and transparent process. RN and RCB support participation from the community.
- Learn about the roles of Councillor, Community Board and Community committees. Elect community members who will be effective, are diverse and representative of the voices in our community.
