Restricted Areas

8

Journalists

8

Residents' groups

What is a Residents' Association?

A residents’ association is a group made up of local residents who represent the interests of everyone living in a geographic community.  It helps local people deal with problems they are having as well as organising social networking and activities.

Meetings might be attended by elected officials or state employees (if permission is given). A well-run association will have a constitution and produce agendas and minutes, which are available for everyone to see. Membership should be open to all residents and should not discriminate against any members of the community.

Some residents' associations are formed for a specific purpose, such as keeping watch on a public asset or promoting environmental stewardship in an area.

Residents' associations can also be known as ratepayers or progressive associations, "friends of" groups, public watchdog groups, and may be formal or informal.  See also community association, homeowners association, and neighbourhood association.

What Do Residents' Associations Do?

Who Joins Residents' Associations?

Residents’ associations are pressure groups and the duties of members vary depending on their chosen level of involvement. As a general rule an association will have at least a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

Residents’ associations that are Incorporated Societies or Charitable Trusts and have up-to-date audited accounts may be eligible for funding from their local council or other funders.  They normally run on the goodwill of local volunteers and support from local business.

Anyone interested in his or her local community can and should join a residents' association. Membership is normally open to all local people residing in a defined area (such as a suburb). They represent the interests particularly of those who are socially excluded because of ill health, low income, language and cultural differences, or age.

Residents’ associations help foster a sense of place and help improve community resilience.

Residents 2010 Conference

 Council Watch is a supporter of the Residents 2010 Conference - a day-long forum for residents' associations in the greater Wellington region.  This conference is being organised by the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents Associations and is hosted by Ohariu electorate M.P. Hon. Peter Dunne.

 Attendance to the conference is free for residents' association delegates, but there is a fee for others to help cover catering costs.  The conference will be a chance to network, share information and experiences, pick the brains of some community experts, and participate in workshops specifically created for residents' association members.

Full details of the conference - which will be held on Saturday April 10th at Parliament Buildings - is here.

National Database of Residents' Groups

 The Newlands Paparangi Progressive Association - in association with Council Watch - have set up a national database of residents' groups.  You can find this at www.residents.org.nz.  On the site is information on over 1,000 groups and organisations representing the interests of New Zealand communities.

It costs nothing to list the details of a residents' group, so if your local group is not listed please let add it yourself or let them know here.