Aranui community renewal

At a March 2001 Community Hui held at the Wainoni/Aranui Family Centre, 140 local residents voiced strong support for what has become known as Aranui Community Renewal.

Forty residents have formed a Community Committee to develop further the beginning work undertaken by resident focus groups, the Burwood/Pegasus Community Board, Housing New Zealand and the Christchurch City Council.

The main aim of Aranui Community Renewal is to build on the strong goodwill and sense of community pride that already exists in Aranui so as to continue the development of Aranui as a great place to live.

Over the next few months the Aranui Community Renewal partners will continue to consult with the community to build up a greater picture of:

• What is good about living in Aranui.
• What are the community activities and services that already exist in the neighbourhood.
• What are the community's suggestions and solutions to the issues and concerns being faced by local residents.

Information gathered so far from all the community renewal conversations is showing that local people have the wisdom, energy and enthusiasm to address the causes of poverty.

These ongoing discussions are also showing a willingness and a commitment to work, as local residents and community groups, in a collective way with other community and social service providers, local and central government agencies and the business sector that will bring positive benefits to the local community.

The opening of the Aranui Community and Housing Information Centre.

Ideas and suggestions coming from the community would create improved:

• Safety situations for residents through reducing the fear of crime.
• Child, youth and family services, activities, programmes and facilities.
• Locally based work opportunities for local people.
• Shopping facilities.
• Access to health services and learning/education opportunities.
• Social, leisure and recreational facilities in local community centres and on local parks.
• Opportunities for the creative use of local people's gifts and talents.
• Range of housing that will meet the accommodation needs of people and families due to differing family situations, cultures and ethnicity.
• Opportunities for local people to be engaged in the delivery of local community and social services.
• Participation by the local community in the decision-making that impacts on the livelihood of local residents.
• Levels of household income.
• Recognition and support for the local residents undertaking "community work" that continues to strengthen the community's wellbeing.

These community conversations have also clearly identified important partnership roles for local and central government agencies such as the Christchurch City Council and Housing New Zealand. One of those roles is for such agencies to provide the appropriate skills and resources that will ensure participation by local people and local groups in the decision-making and in the delivery of local services.

A local cultural group performs at the Aranui Community Day.