Get involved in local democracy

One of the things that I have wanted to champion is that here at the Waikato District Council, we’re all about transparency and community involvement. That’s why we’ve made it super easy for you to participate in local decision-making.

We’re livestreaming all our council meetings, including committee meetings, so that you can tune in and find out about the key decisions and important debates as they happen.

They’re all recorded too, so you can watch them here at your leisure if you’re busy when the meetings take place.

We’ll also be livestreaming our regular council workshops from June 10. Workshops are not decision-making forums but are intended to enable staff to receive appropriate support, input and direction from councillors when developing things like consultation documents or undertaking bylaw and policy reviews.  

The fact that all the above can be viewed by anyone in the public as they happen is important to us as part of our commitment to you.

It demonstrates transparency and accountability, in that our communities can see how decisions are made and they can see the level of discussion and debate that is undertaken to make important decisions that affect all of us who live in the Waikato district.

It is also a way for you to get to know us better. By viewing how we interact with each other as the elected members and how we interact with staff - it gives you a better idea of how we do things around here.

Basically, it provides the human factor behind a decision that is often seen written on Council minutes, or not seen at all.

If you tune in, you will see that decisions are not taken likely, you will see how difficult it can be to make the tough decisions, you will see we are human after all and we do care about the people we have been elected to serve.

This opportunity has always been available in some form. Anyone has always been welcomed in the Council Chambers, except when items of discussion are labelled public excluded.

But that costs time and money to make the trip into Ngaaruawaahia to sit in and watch and listen what goes on.

It sometimes may also feel like a wasted trip when, for whatever reason, the item you’re interested in is behind schedule or only takes a minute to cover.

Now you can either watch them live from the comfort of your own home or office or watch when you’re back from work.

Join us online, stay informed, and be part of shaping the Waikato district!

Remember, democracy is for everyone, and your voice matters!

So I do encourage you to go to our website here – and simply click on the video camera icon.

Contrary to popular belief, you may even find it interesting.

Ngaa mihi and warmest regards,
Mayor Jacqui