Measuring our communities’ pulse through Waikato Vital Signs

18 April 2016

For Immediate Release

The first community engagement sessions for Waikato Vital Signs will take place across the 2016 pilot region during May. Waikato Vital Signs is a community checkup that reports on the social, environmental, cultural, and economic well being of our communities, and the engagement sessions will serve to join the dots between statistical information and what matters most to people living in our communities.

The first year of reporting features data collated and analysed by the National
Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis (NIDEA), University of Waikato.

Community and business leaders, local residents, philanthropists, volunteers, policy makers, local and central government staff, and others are strongly urged to add their local knowledge and ideas to the July 2016 report by attending these engagement sessions in May.

The inaugural Waikato Vital Signs pilot project covers three regions – Waikato
District, Hamilton City, and Matamata-Piako District. These regions have beenchosen for the pilot year because they offer a mix of rural and urban economies across a range of demographic characteristics. The final report will describe the challenges and opportunities prioritised by people in these regions, and it is expected to foster community initiated action in response to the published report.

The Waikato Vital Signs 2016 report has been sponsored by a group of seven local philanthropic trusts led by Momentum Waikato Community Foundation along with the NAR Foundation, Trust Waikato, WEL Energy Trust, Waikato-Tainui, D.V. Bryant Trust, and Ngati Haua Iwi Trust, as well as NIDEA, University of Waikato.

Independent facilitators Wayne Tainui, a PWC partner, and well-known facilitator and researcher, Dr. Helen Ritchie, have both generously agreed to help facilitate these important community conversations, where everyone is welcome.

Waikato Vital Signs 2016 Community Engagement Sessions:

Morrinsville – Tuesday 3rd May 2016

10.00am-12.30pm, Morrinsville Events Centre

Ron Ladd Place, Morrinsville

Ngaruawahia - Friday 6th May 2016

10.00am-12.30pm, Anglican Church Hall

Corner Market St, Jesmond St and Waikato Esplanade, Ngaruawahia

Hamilton – Tuesday 10th May 2016

10.00am-12.30pm, Western Community Centre

46 Hyde Ave, Nawton, Hamilton

Matamata – Tuesday 10th May 2016

5.30pm-8.00pm, Matamata Memorial Centre

Tainui Street, Matamata

Ends.

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