Our Manawatū District continues to grow and change, and so does the role of Council in supporting our communities. Over the past few years, Manawatū District Council has delivered a wide range of work across infrastructure, community facilities, waste management, environmental compliance, and essential services that support daily life in the District.
With new Elected Members, changes in government direction, and increasing financial pressures, it is timely to review our goals and ensure they reflect what matters most to our community today and into the future. This means carefully balancing what we can afford with what our communities need, and making clear choices about where we focus our efforts.
This is not about starting again. Instead, it is about checking that we are focused on the right priorities, that our direction reflects the aspirations of our residents, and that we continue delivering services that meet the needs of a changing district. Getting these goals right is important to help guide the development of our Long-term Plan.
Proposed Strategic Goals
Keep our foundations strong, safe and resilient – investing wisely in local roading, three waters, rubbish and recycling, community facilities, and public services
- Roads and local transport networks
- Drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems
- Rubbish and recycling services
- Parks, reserves and sportsgrounds
- Libraries and community facilities including the Makino Aquatic Centre, halls and recreational complexes, and the Feilding Civic Centre
Back our rural economy and local businesses, and plan for smart growth that considers our most productive land and natural environment
- District Plan and land-use planning – zoning to manage land use and planning for growth
- Protecting our most productive land from development
- Enabling residential, commercial and industrial growth in appropriate locations
- Climate adaptation and resilience planning
- Economic development (delivered through CEDA)
Invest in our community through relationships, advocacy, cultural connections and support
- Community grants and funding programmes
- Support for local events
- Relationship building with iwi and marae
- Business community connection and support via Feilding & District Promotion and our development navigator
- Youth Council
Champion a proud rural district with a thriving town and villages, rooted in strong heritage, cultural diversity, and beautiful spaces
- Community events and business community connection and support via our funding contract with Feilding and District Promotion
- Regional tourism and supporting local business growth via Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA)
- Town Centre Refresh
- Community Committees
- Marae and Hapu Committees
Provide strong leadership, deliver cost-effective, customer-focussed services, and ensure the Manawatū is well represented regionally and nationally
- Regulatory services including animal control, building control, consents and compliance, environmental health and monitoring
- Governance and strategy (engagement and representation)
- Regional partnerships and shared services
- Submissions and advocacy to central government
