Developing a Community-Government Relationship Agreement

The steering group of community stakeholders who helped the OCVS organise the forum met for the final time on 7 December 2009.

The forum explored the key elements that might be in a Relationship Agreement, and the steps in the process to develop it.

Three main themes emerged from the forum discussions:

• The need for a robust process
  Participants wanted to see something happen quickly that would build on what has gone before, but cautioned that there needs to be enough time to “ensure the waka is moving forward and we all participate in the journey”. They stressed the importance of the sector and government working together and wide participation of the sector at all levels, with opportunities for extensive engagement and consultation with the sector on a draft agreement.
• A values-based agreement
  Participants strongly emphasised the need for values to underpin an agreement, in particular respect, trust and inclusiveness, and for it to acknowledge the power imbalance between the parties, and the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Implementation of an agreement
  Participants indicated that further discussion is needed about whom in the community and voluntary sector would be identified to sign-up to the final document. Once signed, a mechanism is needed to measure whether the agreement is working and to ensure government accountability. Participants emphasised the importance of a sustainable agreement through successive Governments.

Following the forum, Minister Turia decided to establish a new Steering Group (comprising both government and community and voluntary sector members) to lead the development of the Relationship Agreement. The Minister will seek approval from Cabinet for these appointments.

The new Steering Group will oversee development of the Relationship Agreement and lead and participate in the consultation process on the draft Relationship Agreement.

Nominations for the new Steering Group closed on 10 February 2010. Members of this new Kia tutahi Steering Group will consist of seven community and voluntary sector members and seven state sector members. In addition, the Minister will appoint two co-chairs, one from the community and voluntary sector and one from the state sector.

To be part of the Kia tutahi Steering Group, the Minister needs people who are:

• leaders within their part of the sector
• well networked within the community and voluntary sector
• well respected amongst their peers
• able to present and communicate effectively
• able to provide a collaborative and participatory approach.

Nominations are currently being considered based on these criteria. Members will be selected to achieve a mix that as far as possible reflects the diversity of the sector and makes best use of the skills and experience of the people nominated. In total, 121 nominations covering a broad range of sub-sectors and interest groups were received for the seven available community sector spaces on this Group.  

Government members of the Kia tutahi Steering Group are being selected through a separate process.

The Minister will seek approval from Cabinet for all the Kia tutahi Steering Group appointments through the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee in late March.

Confirmation and announcement of the Kia tutahi Steering Group membership is expected by April 2010.

The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector will act as secretariat for the Kia tutahi Steering Group.

Further information: If you have any questions about this nomination process or the development of the Relationship Agreement, please email ocvs@msd.govt.nz or phone Judith Le Harivel (Senior Policy Analyst) on 04 918 9579.

Discussion about what should be included in a proposed Relationship Agreement between the community sector and Government has already begun online at two websites. 

Community Central and the Community Sector Taskforce are both hosting online discussions about who should sign an Agreement and what should be included in one. 

The online discussions are one of the ways for people who attended the forum AND people from the wider community sector to have a say­ as the process to develop an agreement progresses. Other opportunities to be involved in the development and provide feedback will also be available in 2010.

» Participate in the Relationship Agreement discussion on Community Central

» Have your say about a Relationship Agreement on the Community Sector Taskforce website

A broad range of opportunities for a wide variety of community sector people to contribute to development of the Relationship Agreement will be explored as the project progresses.

Exact details will be determined once the Kia tutahi Steering Group is established, but if you are planning significant community sector events or meetings for the period of June to August 2010, and think your agenda might be able to accommodate an opportunity for discussion about the Relationship Agreement, please contact the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector so we can add your event to the mix of possible options.

» See details about the 2009 community-government forum - including the official programme readings, speeches, notes from caucus discussions, participant lists and photos, and forum steering group members

» Read the 2009 Cabinet paper and minute: Government Commitment to Building Strong Community Relationships

» The 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship

The forum provided an opportunity for the community sector, government officials, the Prime Minister and Ministers to discuss the Government’s response to the following reports:

» Good Intentions - An Assessment of the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship 
– by the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Aotearoa (ANGOA)

» From Talk to Action: Government Engagement with Citizens and Communities – by the Building Better Government Engagement reference group.