Context

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Context

Origins, authors and background

Who developed this resource

The New Zealand Local Government Toolkit for Child and Youth Participation was initiated in 2003 by a working group of central and local government representatives. They were Local Government New Zealand, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Youth Development and the Department of Internal Affairs.

The working group was responding to a request from councils for a resource, with examples and tips on what works, to help them in their planning and services for children and young people.

This resource was developed in consultation with many council staff, young people, government and non-government agencies.

The Local Government Act 2002 requires consultation

Consulting children and young people about issues and decisions that affect them is a requirement of New Zealand's Local Government Act 2002. The Act requires local authorities to consult with communities, and provides for greater participation by communities in decision-making. Children and young people are members of communities affected by most council decisions.

The purpose of local government is "to promote the social economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities, in the present and for the future", according to the Act.

The Act requires local authorities to take a sustainable development approach to planning and decision-making. This means considering current and future community needs, which includes listening to the views of children and young people.

The community outcomes process

Every district or region must identify medium- and long-term community outcomes. The Act requires local authorities to facilitate this process at least once every 6 years. They must also monitor and report on progress toward achieving those community outcomes.

Long term council community plan

Under the Act, local authorities must develop long-term community plans (LTCCPs).

A council's LTCCP must:

set out the community outcomes for a district or region
show how the local authority's activities contribute to these outcomes
inform all other local authority planning

New Zealand government initiatives

In addition to this toolkit, there are a number of national strategies and guides that support councils' promotion of involving children and young people in decision-making.

Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa

An important strategy behind the New Zealand Local Government Youth Participation Toolkit is the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa. This strategy is about how government and society can support young women and men aged between 12 to 24 years inclusive to develop the skills and attitudes they need to take part positively in society now, and in the future.

(http://www.youthaffairs.govt.nz)

New Zealand's Agenda for Children

The Agenda for Children is a government strategy aimed at improving the lives of New Zealand children. It includes a vision, a set of principles to guide decision making a 'whole child' approach to child policy and service development.

(http://www.msd.govt.nz/work-areas/children-and-young-people/agenda-for-children/index.html)

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

The government is committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC), which it ratified in 1993.

(www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/k2crc.htm)

Youth Development Participation Guide: Keepin' it real

How to increase youth participation in policy development, programmes, services and organisations — from the Ministry of Youth Affairs. (http://www.youthaffairs.govt.nz/pag.cfm?i=347)

Involving Children

How to include children up to the age of 18 years in decision-making — Ministry of Social Development.

(http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/publications/sector-policy/involving-children.pdf)

Good Practice Participate

Guide to getting citizens involved in decision-making.

(www.goodpracticeparticipate.govt.nz)