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What is the fifth principle of the community-led development approach?

Principle 5 - Learn by doing

Each community-led development journey began with the community, hapū, iwi beginning to set visions and goals for the future and develop plans for how to get there, working with the people, the ideas and the resources available to them. At each stage, it is important to reflect on how things went or what is happening, and to also think and talk about what else is possible.

Read about how these community-led development principles have been brought to life.

Is there an example of the fifth principle of the community-led development approach?

Principle 5 - Learn by doing

Mangakino, a small town in the central North Island

Over a week in September 2012, the people of Mangakino and the surrounding area got together in a community dreaming exercise about what sort of community they wanted to be. They wrote down their memories of the town's history, described the area's strengths and potential, and discussed their wishes and hopes for the future. Many people took part, and more than 200 ideas were collected for the town's “Dream Wall”.

They found they wanted to have more fun at the lakefront and to swim safely. They wanted better sports, play and skating facilities in the town centre.There was also a longing for the community connection that was once built with picnics and rural events that brought local people together.

Watch the video to follow their journey.

With community-led development, we work within five guiding principles developed by Inspiring Communities:

  • Grow from shared local visions
  • Build from strengths
  • Work with diverse people and sectors
  • Grow collaborative local leadership
  • Learn by doing