What if I have an idea for a community project?

Most projects start off as an idea.

You may be a person, member of a community, community group, hapū or iwi and see an opportunity or a need, or find that something you and others want is not available.

Or you may see how resources in the community could be used in a new way or used to achieve a new purpose.

What values or principles guide your work with communities?

Our work with you, your community, hapū or iwi will be guided both by our commitment to honour our Treaty of Waitangi obligations and our commitment to the principles of community-led development.

One way we bring our commitment to the Treaty to life is by ensuring we recognise and support Māori aspirations and values in our work, including:

• Tino rangatiratanga, concepts of self-determination, self-reliance and the desire to be in control of one's vision and destiny
• Manaakitanga, the acknowledgment of the mana of others and demonstrating mutual respect
• Kotahitanga and mahi tahi, concepts of unity and working as one
• Motuhaketanga, concepts of independence, autonomy and supporting self-reliance
• Whakawhanaungatanga, concepts of collective wellbeing and relating well to others.

The second set of principles that guide how we work are those of community-led development, where the focus is on your community, hapū or iwi leading its own development, with our advisors supporting you on the journey and providing advice to help you to get to where you want to go.

With community-led development, we work within five core or guiding principles:

• shared local visions or goals drive action and change
• use existing strengths and assets
• many people and groups working together
• building diverse and collaborative local leadership
• adaptable planning and action informed by outcomes.

Source: Inspiring Communities