Latest news with #SarahO'Hagan
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Who are the chosen 40? Whanganui council shields citizens' assembly
While the outcome of the initiative would be publicly reported, the council said it was keeping the names of assembly members confidential. It fears publication of members' names would 'likely discourage' future participation. 'Anonymity allows participants to engage fully, particularly if they wish to offer personal opinions or are involved in controversial topics,' the council's chief strategy officer, Sarah O'Hagan, said. The chosen 40 will gather for up to five closed-door sessions, meeting for the first time on Tuesday night at the city's War Memorial Centre. The meetings will not be livestreamed. The council said it was 'formally withholding' the names of the participants to protect them from improper pressure or harassment. 'While the citizens' assembly is under way, we want to provide an environment where the group is free to have discussions without scrutiny on individuals or external pressure,' O'Hagan said. 'With this in mind, we have not published the names of individuals selected for the assembly. 'One of the reasons for this is we want to consider using this participatory approach in the future.' Local Democracy Reporting's routine request for the names was treated by the council as a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. The council said the names were being withheld to protect the privacy of individuals and to protect 'members, officers, employees and persons from improper pressure or harassment'. 'The council does not consider there to be any public interest that outweighs the need to protect individuals' privacy and maintain the effective conduct of public affairs,' O'Hagan said. O'Hagan said after each facilitated session, the meeting run-sheet and high-level minutes would be published on the council website and social media, summarising the process and conversation without identifying individuals. 'In this way, the community can keep up-to-date with what's being discussed at the assembly. 'It's … really important to us to keep the wider community informed of the group's progress.' Representatives of the citizens' assembly will present the group's recommendation on the future of outdoor pools to elected members at a livestreamed council meeting in late June. 'This is open to everyone to watch, as is the meeting where elected members consider the recommendation and make their decision. We'd encourage anyone who's interested to tune into these livestreamed meetings,' O'Hagan said. 'Once the assembly has concluded, photos and video of the process showing the people involved will be produced.' Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said he asked for the citizens' assembly to be investigated in August last year as part of 'taking council to the people'. He had since delegated the process to the chief executive and his team. Advertise with NZME. However, he said there was a fine balance between protecting privacy and being transparent. 'The unintended consequences and risks of providing the names of participants to the wider community comes with significant risk – e.g. criticism on social media, blame for any recommendation they make,' Tripe said. 'Being able to participate in the process unencumbered will mean a better process and – if we agree to undertake the process again – will ensure that other participants step up. 'Obviously the outcome of the process is a recommendation to council and that will be publicly available.' Tripe said he was excited with the direction the citizens' assembly was taking. 'An aquatic review is an excellent choice to trial this process,' Tripe said. 'I thank all those who have put their hand up and I very much hope that it is an effective forum to provide direction on decision-making.' The citizens' assembly is based on a concept of participatory democracy originating in ancient Rome. Chief executive David Langford said earlier this year assemblies had been successful around the world because they brought together a diverse range of voices and allowed participants time to explore an issue in depth.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Whanganui Citizens' Assembly: Māori, Teens, Elders Among Chosen 40
Whanganui is ready to launch its first citizens' assembly to shape the future of outdoor swimming in the district, including Whanganui East Pool. The initiative will test an ancient model of participatory democracy to guide Whanganui District Council toward decisions on a tricky issue. From teens to elders, 40 locals have been painstakingly selected for a diverse assembly that will be paid to discuss and debate the future of outdoor pools and come up with recommendations for the council. The assembly will gather for up to five weekly workshops, meeting for the first time on Tuesday, 6 May. The council's chief strategy officer Sarah O'Hagan told Local Democracy Reporting those appointed were broadly representative of Whanganui demographics. This included 30 per cent Māori, 10 percent from Whanganui East, and a representative range of all age groups from 14 years old to above 80. The initiative is expected to cost $30,000. More than 300 people volunteered in February and March to participate in the assembly – first proposed by the mayor – with council promos urging residents: 'Get paid to join our citizens' assembly!'. Each person will receive $500 to attend a series of four to five meetings facilitated by an independent expert and lasting about three hours each. They will hear specialist advice, consider findings from a study on outdoor swimming in Whanganui, and develop a recommendation on outdoor swimming pools for elected representatives to consider during the annual plan process. During last year's annual plan process, the council proposed closing Whanganui East Pool because of upcoming capital and operating costs. But strong community support for the pool and outdoor swimming in general kept the pool open for another season and councillors commissioned a study on the future of the city's facilities. Normally, council officers would assess the study's findings and identify a preferred option to bring to council for discussion before any community consultation. Instead, the assembly will develop recommendations on behalf of the community. The 40 participants were randomly selected by ballot according to demographic information, to make sure those chosen reflect the Whanganui community. Council chief executive David Langford said earlier in the year that citizens' assemblies originated in ancient Rome and had been successful around the world because they bring together a diverse range of voices and allow participants time to explore an issue in depth. Accredited independent facilitator Kirsty Ferguson will support the assembly to discuss the issues and work toward developing a recommendation to present to councillors on the future of outdoor pools in Whanganui. Five evening workshops have been scheduled at the Pioneer Room at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre, on 6, 13, 20 and 27 May and 3 June.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Whanganui citizens' assembly: Māori, teens, elders among chosen 40
The council's chief strategy officer, Sarah O'Hagan, told Local Democracy Reporting those appointed were broadly representative of Whanganui demographics. This included 30% Māori, 10% from Whanganui East and a representative range of all age groups from 14 to over 80. The initiative is expected to cost $30,000. More than 300 people volunteered in February and March to participate in the assembly — first proposed by the mayor — with council promos urging residents: 'Get paid to join our citizens' assembly'. Each person will receive $500 to attend a series of four to five meetings facilitated by an independent expert, and each lasting about three hours. They will hear specialist advice, consider findings from a study on outdoor swimming in Whanganui and develop a recommendation on outdoor swimming pools for elected representatives to consider during the annual plan process. During last year's annual plan process, the council proposed closing Whanganui East Pool because of upcoming capital and operating costs. But strong community support for the pool and outdoor swimming in general kept the pool open for another season, and councillors commissioned a study on the future of the city's facilities. Normally, council officers would assess the study's findings and identify a preferred option to bring to the council for discussion before any community consultation. Instead, the assembly will develop recommendations on behalf of the community. The 40 participants were randomly selected by ballot according to demographic information, to make sure those chosen reflect the Whanganui community. Council chief executive David Langford said earlier in the year that citizens' assemblies originated in ancient Rome and had been successful around the world because they brought together a diverse range of voices and allowed participants time to explore an issue in depth. Accredited independent facilitator Kirsty Ferguson will support the assembly to discuss the issues and work toward developing a recommendation to present to councillors on the future of outdoor pools in Whanganui. Five evening workshops have been scheduled at the Pioneer Room at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre, on May 6, 13, 20 and 27 and June 3.
