Participation, Partnerships and Pilots in Community Development Policy

Abstract

This paper critically examines the current New Zealand government’s policy of promoting local participation and ‘partnerships’ in community development and the provision of social services with particular consideration of three pilot programmes: ‘Community-led Development’ (Department of Internal Affairs); ‘Social Sector Trials’ and ‘Make it Happen Te Hiku’ (Ministry of Social Development). A review of New Zealand and international literature reveals that further research into the implications of this policy direction is required around the position of power in local leadership; the roles and relationships between local government and local service providers (both government and non-government); and public private partnerships in community development and social service provision. This paper asks how and why central government is directing ‘community-led’ development and questions government’s commitment to building of capacity at a local level, a fundamental requirement of participative models. It also questions the focus on communities defined by place and considers implications of this policy direction for communities of interest and association.