The challenge of Democratic participation in the community development process

The purpose of local government as set out in section 10 ofthe New Zealand Local Government Act 2002 is to enable democraticdecision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communitiesand to promote the social, economic, environmental and culturalwellbeing of communities in the present and for the future.  This paper will cover the following areas.

• Articulate thepurposes and objectives of the 2002 rewrite ofNew Zealand localgovernment legislation, including the empowermentof communities,and the parallel with international practicein local government.
• Examine the theoretical and practical implications of thelongterm council community plan and the community developmentprocess.
• Critically examine the effectiveness of the approachto communitydevelopment by New Zealand local councils where,unlike in othercountries such as the United Kingdom, they donot have the roleof providing social services.
• Explore theparadox of community development within the NewZealand statutorysector.
• Provide a framework that enables a more effectivecommunityconsultation process for community development.