Building connected communities

The outcomes we want to achieve for Waipā are centred on achieving our vision to build connected communities. With that in mind, in partnership with our communities, we have developed Ahu Ake - Waipa Community Spatial Plan. This is our key strategic planning document and the blueprint for the next 30+ years. It provides the foundation for all our future planning, prioritisation, investment, and the delivery of services and projects across the whole of our organisation. Delivering Ahu Ake requires the Council to take new and different approaches that emphasise collaboration, support and reliance on partners, agencies and community groups over time to be able to achieve the plan’s transformational key moves.

To further build on this work, we have developed an ‘Anchor Institution Framework and Implementation Plan’. This is a well-established approach in the United Kingdom and United States. It is a globally recognised ‘smart’ approach which utilises the role, strengths, scale and influence of ‘anchors’ to deliver effective outcomes for the community. ‘Anchors’ are large, place-based organisations that are intrinsically linked to their communities and are pivotal to their success and wellbeing. They have a long term and enduring commitment to a place, playing a vital role in local economies. They can be large scale employers, major purchasers, have control of substantial landholdings or assets, and are often non-profit or public sector organisations. They include organisations like councils, hospitals, universities and schools.

At a local level, the Anchor Institution Framework focuses on procurement, employment, workforce development, cluster anchors, community collaboration and community assets and infrastructure. It will help to ensure that as an organisation we work efficiently and effectively, leveraging local strengths to address local challenges and opportunities to create resilient, thriving, vibrant and connected communities.