On World Engagement Day, Hutt City Council is shining a light on its growing commitment to stronger, more meaningful community engagement with the launch of its new Te Whiringa engagement framework. 

Adopted last month, Te Whiringa reflects a clear shift in how communities want to be involved in decisions that affect them. People want to have their say earlier, in ways that matter, and to see how their voices shape outcomes. 

The framework responds directly to that expectation. It focuses on building trust, increasing inclusion, and being clearer and more transparent about how Council works alongside its community. 

Over the past five years, Council has made steady progress in lifting the quality of its engagement. More people are taking part, engagement methods have improved, and results are showing. 

In 2024, Council’s Have Your Say platform reached a 23.6% engagement rate. That’s well above the typical 5–10% seen by councils using the same platform. 

While this is encouraging, Council is clear there is still room to improve. Reaching people whose voices are often missing and continuing to build trust over time remains a priority. 

Te Whiringa has been shaped by strong community input, including feedback from a Community Reference Group made up of 49 residents from across the city. Their lived experience helped ground the framework in real expectations, not just good intentions. 

Community Reference Group member Hilary Chasteauneuf says the process helped bring in voices that are not always heard. 

“This group has allowed input from the elderly, so that their opinions still matter.” 

Director Strategy and Engagement Jarred Griffiths says World Engagement Day is the right moment to reflect on progress while staying focused on what comes next. 

“Trust is built through actions, not words. Te Whiringa reflects years of learning and listening, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made. More importantly, it sets a clear direction for how we continue to work alongside our community and do better together.” 

Council’s engagement journey is far from finished, with more steps ahead to deepen relationships and improve how decisions are shaped with the community. 

You can download the Te Whiringa Engagement framework here - https://huttcitycouncil.cmail20.com/t/y-l-ayudhty-hhdlhrxm-r/

© Scoop Media