Community Connect
Welcome to the seventh edition of Family and Community Services' e-newsletter.
ISSUE 7 • JULY 2009
E-news from Family and Community Services
Mayors Say, "It's Not OK"
Mayors from around New Zealand gathered in Waitakere in April to discuss ways they can help reduce and prevent family violence in their communities.
About 90 people attended the forum, and 20 councils were represented by their mayor, councillors, and staff. Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule and chief executive Eugene Bowen also participated in the forum.
The forum, hosted by Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, was organised in partnership with the It's Not OK campaign.
Its purpose was to encourage new councils to get involved in family violence prevention; support, motivate, and inspire councils which are already involved; and share what is happening around the country with other councils.
As a result of the forum, family violence prevention will be on the agenda for the Local Government NZ annual conference in July.
The It's Not OK campaign has identified mayors and councils as well placed to provide leadership in their communities for preventing family violence.
"Where local government is involved, this has strengthened community projects. The leadership shown by mayors gives local activity a high profile," campaign spokesperson Gael Surgenor says.
The programme included presentations from four communities – Rotorua, Waitakere, Hamilton, and Gisborne – as well as Auckland University researcher Janet Fanslow. These presentations demonstrated the important role councils can play in preventing family violence.
A toolkit to help facilitate local government engagement in family violence prevention is being developed by the campaign.
