What do you want to kōrero with your councillors about?

Katikati-Waihī Beach and Maketu-Te Puke wards – it’s your turn to get together with your councillors.

Following Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s first Community Forum for the Kaimai Ward, councillors from the Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward and the Maketu-Te Puke Ward have also called meetings for their communities.

Join us

• Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward – Monday 27 March, 7pm - 9pm at the Pātuki Manawa Digital Hub in Katikati
• Maketu-Te Puke Ward – Tuesday 4 April, 7pm - 9pm at the Paengaroa Community Hall

Community Forums are a new meeting format, put in place by Council to respond to the needs of the wider community as they arise.

They’re designed to be a less formal setting to kōrero with Councillors and the Council team. You can expect plenty of opportunity for two-way kōrero and detailed discussion.

This is your chance to set the agenda by putting forward the topics that matter to you and your community.

If you have something you’d like to kōrero about, please email info@westernbay.govt.nz or contact your councillors directly (contact details here) by Wednesday 22 March.

Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward Councillor and hui convener Anne Henry says, “this is a great opportunity for our people to chat to us without any pressure and let us know what’s on their minds and how we can help.”

Maketu-Te Puke Ward Councillor and hui convener Richard Crawford says, “we’d love to see lots of people come along to share their thoughts and be part of some positive change for our ward.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, and you can just turn up - no RSVP is required.

How the forums work

Community Forums are intended to build up relationships, discuss common issues and seize opportunities in your community.

Kōrero will focus on broader issues that relate to the wards as whole.

Forums can take place at any time. They’re initiated by the assigned councillors as needed, rather than scheduled months ahead of time.

Kōrero from these meetings is fed back to Council’s Community Committee who can the take matters further. Community boards have a similar function, but have their own delegation and budget, and they can refer matters to any committee in Council.

We can help with small issues or reports much faster when you contact Council direct, phone 0800 926 732, email info@westernbay.govt.nz or Antenno westernbay.govt.nz/antenno