Government’s role
In New Zealand, the Government’s role has been to try to avoid central control and bureaucratically directed policies. Instead a number of government agencies are working (as facilitators) with community groups to help them build their social and economic capacity to create wealth and well-being. These include the Community Employment Group (CEG) whose field workers facilitate community responses to unemployment with emphasis on four priority groups - disadvantaged rural and urban communities, Maori and women; and the Department ofInternal Affairs (DIA) whose Community Advisors work to build social capacity within groups and communities which suffer the most disadvantage.
Another range of Ministries have policy functions (sometimes with a facilitation role) which also contribute to economic development. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture’s programme on sustainable land management and resource use recognises the need for facilitation which enhances the ability of rural communities to provide for their social and cultural well-being alongside goals of industry viability and enhancement of the natural resource base. The Ministries of Maori Development, Youth Affairs and Women’s Affairs, have similar responsibilities to facilitate the participation of their particular interest groups in social, cultural and economic affairs affecting the development of the country, while agencies like the Community Funding Agency (NZCFA) work with communities to achieve well-being for individuals and families.
While each government agency has its own particular emphasis, the facilitation techniques adopted are remarkably similar, and have similar outcomes - economic development which is environmentally and socially sustainable, and communities with the capacity to access the services and facilities to provide for their own needs.
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Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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