Media Release

(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

Christchurch City Residents Associations Meeting to Discuss Future

CHRISTCHURCH, 17 March 2012

The City’s residents’ associations are gathering at a one-day forum on April 21st. Forum organiser Jarrod Coburn from the Draco Foundation Charitable Trust says residents’ associations have done their fair share of work as the earthquakes have taken their toll on communities, and it’s time they were afforded the recognition they deserve.

Christchurch is the birthplace of residents’ associations in New Zealand, and according to the Draco Foundation the 118 groups in the City account for 68,000 voluntary hours each year and cover the majority of residential areas.

Whilst the forum is for residents’ association committee members, Community Board members have been offered an opportunity to attend.

“This day is about putting power back in the hands of communities, where it belongs. I don’t think Christchurch City Council officers have much interest in the work that goes on at this level across the city,” says Mr Coburn, “We are going to have a positive day together, a day where the community truly has a platform to exercise their combined voice to people who want to listen.”

The Forum follows a successful conference held in Wellington at parliament’s Grand Hall in 2010. Discussion will focus on the successes and achievements of the City’s residents’ associations and will consider the possibility of forming a federation to provide greater support and cohesion to the local sector.

Jim Candiliotis, President of the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents’ Associations, and Sir Kerry Burke, a former Chair of ECAN and the newest addition to the Board of the Draco Foundation, will be on hand to listen to delegates and facilitiate conversation.

Further information is available at the www.Residents.org.nz website.

ENDS

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