He Pou Manawa Ora - Pillars of Wellbeing

In February and March 2021, Hamilton City Council sought public feedback on its draft He Pou Manawa Ora – Pillars of Wellbeing strategy.

The draft strategy was developed with input from local iwi, hapuu, maataa waka (Maaori who whakapapa to iwi outside of Hamilton), Council’s Maangai Maaori (iwi and maataa waka representatives), Waikato-Tainui, Te Haa O te Whenua O Kirikiriroa and Te Rūnanga Ō Kirikiriroa.

He Pou Manawa Ora signals a new way of working with our tangata whenua and the wider community on common goals, while recognising Maaori as key partners within and outside Council in determining Hamilton Kirikiriroa’s future. The strategy’s aim is to bring all people of Hamilton Kirikiriroa together for mutual benefit – and to ensure the voices of Maaori, along with all Hamiltonians, are heard at all levels of Council’s decision making.

We invited Hamiltonians to share their thoughts and give us feedback on the proposed outcomes outlined under each of the strategy’s four ‘pou’ or pillars of wellbeing:

• History
• Unity
• Prosperity
• Restoration

(These are based on Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) principles of Partnership, Participation, Protection and Prosperity.)

The history pou states that Council recognises and values the heritage and history of our city. Maaori heritage and history is captured in place, time and events over the last 700 - 800 years. We are committed to sharing, protecting and celebrating our unique Maaori heritage of Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

The unity pou states that Council supports Maaori input into local decision-making for Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

The prosperity pou states that Council recognises that access to housing, health, employment, education, environment and identity are hugely important to individual, whaanau and community wellbeing of Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Council aims to take responsibility as an enabler and leader in the wellbeing conversations. We recognise that we are a part of a partnership approach to supporting Maaori wellbeing.

The restoration pou states that Council recognises the role of Maaori as kaitiaki (guardians) of the natural and physical environment, working in partnership to promote the protection and enhancement of Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

We received more than 1000 responses with the majority of the feedback supporting the He Pou Manawa Ora strategy overall. Submitters were particularly keen to see more ‘measurable’ outcomes within the Strategy. Thirty-two submitters had their say in person.

When asked whether they agreed with the outcomes of each pou, most respondents were in favour of these as shown below.

Pou/Pillar

He Pou Manawa Koorero: Pillar of History

• Yes = 90%     No = 7%     Did not answer = 3%

He Pou Toorangapuu Maaori: Pillar of Unity

• Yes = 89%     No = 7%     Did not answer = 4%

He Pou Manawa Taurikura: Pillar of Prosperity

• Yes = 91%     No =  5%     Did not answer = 4%

He Pou Manawa Taiao: Pillar of Restoration

• Yes = 91%     No = 5%     Did not answer = 4%

The key themes that were identified through submitters’ suggestions were:

History pou

1. Greater visibility and education through storytelling of Maaori history and historical sites.
2. Greater encouragement and support for more Maaori cultural events in the community.
3. Normalisation of te reo in practice and bilingual signage throughout the city.

Unity pou

1. Increased representation and visibility of Maaori in a full and diverse range of roles within Council.
2. Increased understanding and visibility of the application of Matauranga Maaori and mana whenua and mataawaka involvement in Council decision-making.
3. Maaori in the community are supported to understand and be represented in Council decision-making processes in a way that is appropriate for them.

Prosperity pou

1. Employment opportunities and youth involvement in Council.
2. Addressing affordable and social housing shortfalls.
3. Expanding the range of Council support mechanisms for Maaori enterprise.
4. Collaborative partnerships and support for community and Maaori organisations to improve wellbeing outcomes and reduce inequity.

Restoration pou

1. Improve and protect waterways and gully systems.
2. Flora and fauna are actively protected.
3. Better Council support to increase behaviours that address climate change.
4. Maatauranga Maaori supported appropriately.

Hamilton City Council proposed changes and amendments for He Pou Manawa Ora – Pillars of Wellbeing. These acknowledged the public feedback received and include the addition of further additional objectives, actions, and measurable outcomes such as:

• an increase in the percentage of the population who report they could hold a conversation in te reo Maaori
• more Council facilities featuring bilingual signage
• more local Maaori history installations
• that Te Reo Maaori is seen, heard and celebrated more in everyday Council practice and throughout the city
• an increase in the number of attendees and participants celebrating significant Maaori events
• an improved understanding and application of Maatauranga Maaori (knowledge) in Council decision-making
• an increase in the percentage of Maaori rating their overall quality of life positively
• an increase in the percentage of young Maaori in employment, education or training
• improving the water quality of the Waikato River and urban streams and air quality in Hamilton Kirikiriroa
• more new streets with Te Reo Maaori names
• more Maaori voting in local body elections.

He Pou Manawa Ora – Pillars of Wellbeing was formally adopted and finalised by Council on 12 August 2021.

The full and final He Pou Manawa Ora – Pillars of Wellbeing document can be found here (PDF 1.46 MB).