Frequently asked questions about developing a Relationship Agreement

It was nine years ago, September 2001, the Statement of Government Intentions was developed – a document that sets out the relationship between the community and voluntary sector and government. It is time to revisit those principles and agree on some mutual objectives.

The Government recognises the important role of the community and voluntary sector and that the government and the sector need to work together to address complex issues and the diversity of the sector.

The Minister for the Community Sector, Tariana Turia, hosted a national Community-Government Forum in November 2009 that explored key elements that might be in a Relationship Agreement and the process to develop one.

The Forum discussions endorsed the idea that government should develop a Relationship Agreement between government and the community and voluntary sector.

Participants at the national Community-Government Forum, November 2009 discussed the need for a Relationship Agreement that expressed a commitment between the government and the community and voluntary sector.

The Forum participants emphasised the need for values to underpin an agreement, in particular respect, trust, and inclusiveness.

A Relationship Agreement is likely to set out principles, commitment and guidance for government-community relationships. Its form and content will be determined following government and community and voluntary sector consultation.

A steering group has been formed to oversee the development of a Relationship Agreement. The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group will consult with the sector and government on drafts and the final Relationship Agreement. The final agreement will be presented to Cabinet for endorsement.

Following on from the national Community-Government Forum, the Minister decided to establish a Steering Group, consisting of representatives from the community and voluntary sector and government agencies, to lead this work.

Both the community and voluntary sector and government need to be actively involved in developing a Relationship Agreement to ensure representation and collaboration across government agencies and community and voluntary sector.

The Steering Group members, selected on their networks, skills, experience and expertise and to provide a mix that as far as possible reflects the diversity of the sector. This includes Maori, Pacific peoples, ethnic groups, disabled people as well as regional, rural and urban voices and people of different ages.

There are 16 people on the Kia Tutahi Steering Group, including two co-chairs – one from a government agency and one from the community sector.

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, in consultation with her colleagues, selected the co-chairs.

The steering group is responsible for overseeing the development of a framework and content for a Relationship Agreement.

The Steering Group’s agreed Terms of Reference include:

• developing a draft Relationship Agreement by the end of June 2010
• consulting with the sector and government during July – early September 2010
• developing a final Relationship Agreement by mid-September 2010
• reporting back formally to Minister Turia by the end of September 2010
• having a final draft for Cabinet approval by the end of October 2010.

The Steering Group has 16 members made up of two co-chairs and 14 members.

The co chairs are Hori Awa and Don Gray.

Don Gray is a Deputy Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development responsible for Social Sector Strategy.

Mr Hori Awa is the Chief Executive of Waahi Whaanui Trust.

The Kia Tatahi Standing Together Steering Group has been appointed by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Steering Group members were selected based on their skills, experience and expertise and as far as possible to reflect the diversity of the sector.

There were 121 nominations from the community and voluntary sector. The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector considered all applicants using the Terms of Reference criteria, with independent checking of the process used.

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector chose two co-chairs who then assessed the applicants and forwarded a recommendation about the list to the Minister.

The Minister’s choice of members was endorsed by the Appointments and Honours Committee (APH) on 23 March 2010 and Cabinet on 29 March 2010.

The sector can be divided into 12 subsectors within the non-profit sector. These are based on an international classification reference.

They are culture, sport and recreation; education and research; health; social services; environment; development and housing; law, advocacy and politics; philanthropic intermediaries and voluntarism promotion; international; religion; business and professional associations and unions; and others not elsewhere classified.

The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group has been brought together for a specific purpose and will cease to exist once its work has been completed under its Terms of Reference.

The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group will recommend courses of action to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

The co-chairs will communicate regularly with the Minister.

The Steering Group is expected to work together to oversee the development of the Relationship Agreement.

They are to:

• develp the first draft of the Relationship Agreement
• review the Relationship Agreement drafts
• draft a consultation process
• oversee the consultation process
• attend and present at regional meetings during the consultation period
• review the feedback from the consultation process
•  review the final draft
• liaise with the Minister.

The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group will consult on the content of the draft Relationship Agreement.

The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group has yet to decide on the consultation process, but it is expected to include online discussion forums and meetings.

The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group will consult from July to early September 2010.

The analysis of the responses and the revised agreement will be prepared during September. Agreement on the finalised Relationship Agreement by the Steering Group will take place in mid-September and this will be presented to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector at the end of September 2010.

It is intended that the Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group will be able to use a variety of consultation mechanisms to attempt to consult with as many stakeholders as possible.

No decisions have been made about this. This is part of the consultation process for the Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group, who will canvas thoughts on this and make recommendations.

» See key details about development of the Relationship Agreement and establishment of the steering group

» 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.