Relationship agreement progress and meetings

The Steering Group confirmed a draft Relationship Agreement for consultation. The agreement is short and high-level, setting out a vision for communities and Government to work together for a fair, inclusive and flourishing society. It is seen as a foundation for building strong relationships between communities and the Government.

The Steering Group confirmed a draft consultation plan for July and August, using multiple engagement methods - regional hui, online discussion forums, written submissions and through the networks of Steering Group members. The Steering Group aims to reach a diverse range of organisations, communities, whanau, individuals and government officials.

The Steering Group briefly discussed options for signing the Relationship Agreement. They propose a flexible approach to enable a wide range of organisations and individuals to indicate their support, eg: by formal signing and online adoption.

The Steering Group intends to consult from July to September on the content of the draft Relationship Agreement and processes for signing and implementing the Relationship Agreement.

In the meantime a paper will be presented to Cabinet seeking approval to consult on the draft Relationship Agreement. Once approval is given, the Relationship Agreement will be finalised for consultation.

The Steering Group met again on 17 June to review the consultation plan and documents for consultation.

Following consultation in July and August, the Steering Group met on 27 August to begin considering the range of feedback.

Steering Group members continued further discussion on an initial draft of the Relationship Agreement. They propose a high-level and aspirational document with a clear vision, preamble, principles and commitments.

It was agreed that the language of the agreement should be simple, accessible and precise.

Members discussed defining the parties to the Agreement and the implications for how it would be signed. The Steering Group acknowledges that communities are self-determining and made up of diverse groups, from the highly structured to the informal. They recognise community and voluntary sector organisations, whanau, hapu, and iwi, but in doing so also want to provide increased focus on the communities they operate in, and on those who are hard to reach.

Any signing mechanism needs to provide a a practical way in which communities are able to show their support and adopt the intent of the Relationship Agreement. The Steering Group will seek the input of community and voluntary organisations, Tangata Whenua, officials and others to develop a signing process.

The Steering Group considered a range of locations for regional meetings. Up to 17 hui are being considered to provide a broad reach around communities in New Zealand. Members are also linking into meetings within their own networks, for instance youth.

It is expected that one official and one community member from the Steering Group will attend each hui and that hui will last for around two hours. Local radio networks, media outlets, online discussion groups, written submissions and social networking will be used to promote the Agreement and seek feedback.

The Steering Group is carrying out a short online survey seeking initial feedback on the proposed elements of an Agreement. 192 have responded to date and initial results show 93% in favour of a short, high-level agreement. Around 90% favour consultation through regional hui and forums, around 80% written submissions, and around 75% using online discussion site "Bang the Table".

Note:  During May 2010, the Steering Group ran a brief online survey so people could give their thoughts on what should be in a Relationship Agreement and how they would want the Steering Group to consult.

Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

The Minister attended the start of the meeting to outline her expectations for the Relationship Agreement. She believes there is an opportunity to develop a significant and enduring document between government and the community and voluntary sector. Trusting and respectful relationships are essential for government and the community to work well together in the best interests of communities, whānau / families.

Minister Turia expects the Steering Group to work with their networks to promote the Relationship Agreement and bring new perspectives to the discussion. She intends to take a hands off approach and will await advice from and listen to the views of the Steering Group and the Community.

The draft Relationship Agreement

Steering Group members discussed an initial draft of the Relationship Agreement and agreed its main elements, such as preamble, purpose, parties, principles, commitments, and review. The Steering Group agreed that it should be an aspirational and high-level document. Discussion also focused on:

• developing a clear outcomes statement around how the Relationship Agreement will contribute to government and community achieving a respectful relationship.
• acknowledging the Treaty of Waitangi and the relationship between the Crown and Tangata Whenua, and continuing to clarify the parties to the Agreement in a way that recognises government and the diversity of the community and voluntary sector
• considering options for reviewing the Relationship Agreement, ie evaluating whether the Relationship Agreement has made a difference, but also whether government and community have adhered to it
• providing guidance on a plan of action for implementing the Agreement and a means to measure performance, with subsidiary documents prioritising action plans.

Consultation

Members discussed options for consultation, including online discussion groups, regional meetings and focus groups to target specific interest groups. Members are already starting to canvas their networks. The Steering Group will also carry out a short online survey seeking initial feedback on the proposed elements of an Agreement.

The first meeting of the Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group was an opportunity for members to get to know one another and discuss the task ahead.

Steering Group members discussed initial thinking on the form and content of the Relationship Agreement in government and community caucuses. The main points from the caucuses were:

• the heart of the Agreement is that it recognises, acknowledges and supports the contribution of the community and voluntary sector
• how the Agreement is implemented and parties held accountable for performance, is critical to the success of the Agreement.

The Relationship Agreement:

• should be an aspirational document that addresses the heart, as well as the intellect
• should recognise and give effect to the place of Te Tiriti and Tangata Whenua in its development
• is like a stake in the ground, providing a base from which people can develop their own relationships
• is real and enduring, enabling all citizens to see themselves as part of it
• a high-level document, but focused at the community, family, and whānau level, so that it supports communities.

The content of the Agreement should:

• include a clear purpose, shared principles and provide a way to build relationships and trust between the government and the community and voluntary sector
• use clear terminology and be accessible to different audiences
• be flexible enough to accommodate the different requirements of a diverse community and voluntary sector
• provide guidance on how it will be implemented and a means to evaluate it.

The Steering Group welcomes initial comments by email to ocvs@msd.govt.nz.

The information papers that the group received are available for your information below.