I’m an overthinker and so what comes out of my mouth doesn’t always make sense because you haven’t heard the extensive dialogue that my brain processed before utterance.  Council can feel like that too.   We often are completely unaware of all the people, conversations and processes that occurred prior to the final consultation and vote. 

A disappointing Long Term Plan and ecocide at Katherine Mansfield Drive led to some of those conversations about how we could improve the information sharing and relationship between community and council.   A huge thank you to Deputy Mayor Hellen Swales for her collaboration with Orongomai marae who were more than happy to host our vision by providing us with a safe neutral space once a fortnight.  To the Fabians for their research and detailed reporting gifts.  But for them. Minutes from past hui can be found at https://www.nzempowered.com/hui-central.   Our pilot was also supported by Cr Tracey Ultra and other senior staff from Council.   The name ‘Weaving the Harakeke’ was inspired by Roz Brown who often referred to doing just that.   We are aware that people are time poor, so the hui keeps to the hour out of respect for all those attending.  Any further actions and unpacking can be done before and after the hui.

Our purpose: To have a kōrero as a community with representatives from Council kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) for an hour once a fortnight in a safe, collaborative space empowering actions leading to improved outcomes.

A “thank you” to Heather for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

03/03/25