Community reference groups
Council has 4 community reference groups: the Disability Reference Group, Pasifika Reference Group, Seniors' Reference Group and Heritage Reference Group.
Groups give opportunities for engagement
Community reference groups give us a direct channel to hear the voices of those with lived experience in a community or demographic. They are a valued resource within Council.
Members share insights and suggestions that help us to plan, develop and deliver services and programmes. They help build stronger relationships between Council and the community, and give us a better understanding of community needs and perspectives.
The Disability Reference Group was formed in 2018, with a Pasifika Reference Group and a Seniors' Reference Group following in 2022. Each group has 8 to 15 volunteers.
Group members need to:
- live within Palmerston North city boundaries at the time of selection
- be available to regularly attend (either online or in person) and contribute to scheduled meetings
Group members need to have:
- lived experience relevant to the purpose and/or demographic of the group
- a broad knowledge of issues relevant to the group
- good relationships and networks with relevant communities
- the ability to work effectively in a team
- an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Meetings are held at least 4 times a year (more, if the group wants to meet more frequently) and are supported by a Council officer and a city councillor.
Join a reference group and be a voice for your community
We’re looking for people keen to make a positive difference in the community and help shape council decisions.
We now have 5 spaces open on each of our existing community reference groups: The Disability Reference Group, the Pasifika Reference Group and the Seniors’ Reference Group. Our new Heritage Reference Group will have up to 15 members.
To be considered, reference group members must live in the Palmerston North City Council boundary and commit to being available to attend all meetings (either online or in person) for the year. A broad understanding of the issues relevant to each reference group’s area of interest would be beneficial. In each group there are 5 roles to fill. Each role will be for a three-year term.
To register your interest in this position, please email us at communitydevelopment@pncc.govt.nz by Friday 24 January 2025.
In that email, tell us about yourself, why you’d like to be part of one of the reference groups and what knowledge or expertise you can bring to the group. If you know of someone who may be interested in being part of one of these reference groups, please encourage them to apply within the above deadline. We’ll be in touch with all candidates soon after the expression of interest period closes.
Disability Reference Group
The Disability Reference Group ensures the needs of people with disabilities are appropriately considered in the context of Palmerston North City Council’s roles and priorities. It does this by:
- Representing to Council the interests, perspectives and expertise of people within our community living with impairments.
- Building strong relationships and establishing channels of communication between Council and disabled people living in Palmerston North.
- Providing guidance, advice, and support to inform Council’s planning and decision-making processes at a strategic level, as well as identifying actual and potential operational gaps in Council’s activities.
Council is guided in its work with the group by the Enabling Good Lives principles
The group is also guided by the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026
Group membership
- Aleesha Kostyrko-Jones
- Amiria Te Whaiti
- Denise Bethell
- Erin McLean
- Helen Sutherland
- Hugh O’Connell (Co-chair)
- Janine Morrah
- Jennifer Brown
- Lisa McEvoy
- Marilou Ward
- Nat McLean (Co-chair)
- Nicola Ross
- Rangirea Williams
- Sara Georgeson
Supported by:
- Councillor Karen Naylor
- PNCC Community Development Advisor Salome Faaiuaso
Heritage Reference Group
The role of our new Heritage Reference Group will be to help strengthen our community's knowledge and connection to our shared histories.
Heritage is about customs, places, objects, and values passed down through generations. It includes tangible heritage like buildings, monuments, and artworks, and intangible heritage such as traditions, oral history, and social practices.
Palmerston North faces some big decisions over the next ten years, including how we will go about funding and protecting our city’s built heritage to meet earthquake strengthening requirements.
This group will assist council with preparing the 2027 Heritage Plan and advise on heritage related issues for our next Long-Term Plan 2027 – 2037.
Members will also help us to connect Council projects with heritage experts and groups, guide which stories to highlight in local projects and advise on heritage-related strategies and plans.
Pasifika Reference Group
The Pasifika Reference Group connects Council with Palmy’s growing number of Pasifika people and communities.
At the 2018 Census, 5.3% of Palmy's population identified as Pasifika, including 1.8% born in the Pacific Islands. At least 11 Pacific Island origin languages are spoken, with Samoan being the fourth most spoken language in the city.
Council and Palmy’s Pasifika community organisations have a longstanding relationship. We are one of the few councils in the country to have a dedicated officer for Pasifika community development. In 2020, Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples dedicated to supporting and empowering Pasifika communities.
The Pasifika Reference Group is growing from these foundations by strengthening relationships and enhancing Council’s strategic and operational activities towards a shared goal of thriving Pacific peoples. The Pasifika Reference Group selection process aims to achieve a variety of members, with people from a range of backgrounds and experiences.
Group membership
- Ana Tu’imana
- Andrew Jamieson
- Courtney Manu
- Epe Faaiuaso
- Helen Talamaivao
- Hickson Lome
- Jenny Sowman
- Leilani Faaiuaso
- Leith Teipo
- Maggie Leota
- Nailasikau Halatuituia
- Sa’ane Mau
- Sonny Liuvaie
- Situe Fata
Supported by:
- Councillor Kaydee Zabelin
- PNCC Community Development Advisor Salome Faaiuaso
Seniors' Reference Group
The Seniors' Reference Group connects Council with Palmy’s growing community of older citizens.
Our over-60 population is about 19% according to the 2018 Census. In line with global trends, long-term projections for Palmy show this cohort will increase as a proportion of the population faster than any other age group. This shift has implications for areas such as housing, health, employment, financial and social issues.
While we’ve worked alongside organisations who work for or with seniors for many years, the Seniors Reference Group provides a dedicated regular platform for older people’s voices to be heard and considered by Council. The group will help us respond to current and future opportunities to create a city that works for everyone.
Group membership
- Averil Nasario
- Beverly Page
- Esmee Rowden
- Janet Kelly
- Jim Jefferies
- Joan Spencer
- Louise Folster
- Luisa Taufa
- Marianne Tremaine
- Mario Garcia
- Melissa Hemi
- Russell Hallam
Supported by:
- Councillor Lew Findlay
- PNCC Community Development Advisor Martin Brady
Photos: (above) Some of the members of the Pasifika Reference Group, pictured with the Deputy Mayor and (top) some of the members from the Seniors’ and Disability Reference Groups.