As a result they agree to work more closely on common issues with the aim of getting better social outcomes for Christchurch.

Officials from the Ministry last year met with the Council to talk about a better group effort between central government agencies in Christchurch and between those agencies and local government, non-government organisations and Maori.

The Council suggested, and the Ministry officials agreed, that a pilot collaboration project be done.

The MOU is the first agreement of its type in New Zealand. It was signed last month by Councillor Ingrid Stonhill and Ross Judge, the Ministry’s Strategic Social Policy Group general manager.

The pilot collaboration project fits the Ministry’s interest in getting better social policy outcomes for New Zealanders generally, and the Council’s interest in improving the health and well-being of the citizens of Christchurch.

The pilot aims to get definite improvements in the delivery of social services, improved coordination and collaboration, and improved social outcomes of the people in Christchurch.

“We have many common goals,” says Councillor Stonhill, “so it makes sense to identify areas that we can work together to achieve them. The Council will be considered within the Ministry’s planning framework and vice versa, so that initiatives can complement each other and leverage off each other.

“We can undertake local initiatives consistent with central government’s in certain areas, for example employment and education, and achieve a better outcome for all agencies and our community” she says.

The project is expected to build on and support existing collaborations and networks in the city, such as the Social Policy Interagency Network, Strengthening Families Committee, Safer Christchurch and Healthy Christchurch.

A joint work plan, to guide the project’s activity, is to be completed and agreed between the parties by the end of this year.