LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS 2022
Robyn McLean
Council
Independent
Which communities will you speak for and about at the council table?
South Dunedin and the flat, Greater Green Island, Harrington Point. I will also speak with a perspective and understanding of the Community Development sector within Ōtepoti as I have connections with most place based community groups within the City and am a member of Community Builders.
What is the number one social and economic issue for the community and for the city? (DCC question). What is the key issue for the region at this time and for the next 10 years? (ORC question)
My number one social issue is Equity of Outcomes (as this entails my two other key values which is that of Community - how we live together and Environment - how we treat the spaces in which we live) If we were to design our city based on the value of Equity of Outcomes (Meaning that every individual from every demographic has the opportunity to reach their full potential resulting in a more economic opportunity for everyone), our city would be a better one for everyone.
I understand that this is a huge concept that many in our city may not be ready to conceptualise however I believe that even taking small bites at this would lead to a better outcome for all. If every decision council made had the perspective of equity within it, even if it was simply part of the discussion, we are then doing a better job at serving everyone who lives here.
My number one economic issue is navigating how our city responds to three waters reform. Although there is still a lot of detail to be worked through, one thing that we do know is that for our city this reform will bring about change, I want to make sure that we are in the best position possible when this reform occurs and that we make it so that instead of "losing assets" we are benefitting from the removal of expensive maintenance to our infrastructure and making the most of any deal that is available for us when time time comes for negotiation (in whatever for that takes) meaning ultimately we have done the best for our city we can and are able to invest in other ways within our city.
How will you elevate community aspirations? How will you know what they are? (DCC question only)
The reason why I am running for Council is to do exactly this. As I currently work at the South Dunedin Community Network, I see where our community is at on a day to day basis and I also understand the key issues we face as far as climate change, an ever increasing cost of living, housing shortages and challenges with transport availability and costs.
However this role does not only show me what issues our community’s are facing, I also see all of the strenghts. I see the resilience, the sense of humor and helping and kindness that is within our communities and I see all of the groups large and small, mostly not for profit (but not all) doing all sorts of great things.
It is through my learning to date working in this space as well as my continued connection to community that I will know what community aspirations are.
And I will raise them at any opportunity I get, just as I do now. By being a connector and ensuring that people are aware of anyone who can help, is doing similar mahi or could benefit from knowledge I hold, I will share it.
I will also make sure that community aspirations I am aware of but also those that are shared with council via the place based fund and others are shared widely so that more people see and can share these aspirations. Awareness is a key part of making dreams happen as that is how more people join in.
(NOTE: I will also protect and defend community aspirations clearly and strongly if I feel that someone may be belittling or disrespecting any aspirations in anyway, (even if they are unaware of the damage their words may be doing). No matter what role I hold in life, after what I have learnt during my time at South Dunedin Community Network, I will be a champion for Community development dreams and Community Aspirations and will always make a professional, respectful attempt to educated, without bewildering, anyone who shows signs of misunderstanding around the importance of belonging to and working on achieving inspiring Community Dreams.
Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are required to maintain and improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to local government decision-making processes. How will you honour this obligation in your role with the Dunedin City Council/Otago Regional Council?
I am very impressed and inspired by the work the Staff at Dunedin City Council have already begun and their aspiration to deepen their understanding and alignment with te ao Māori through the development of a Māori Strategic framework to guide their work. And I also have seen a beautiful respect for te ao Māori from some current members of council.
I am currently, and will always, be on a personal journey understanding more about te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and what that means for how I live my life and the change I want to see in our society.
I personally will honour the obligation our council has to maintain and improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to local government decision-making processes by holding the space for our mana whenua and when opportunities to do so arise, taking action or speaking up. I believe that by continuing to move through key decisions and challenges, aware that we are navigating these waters in partnership and need to partner with, respect and discuss with our local Rūnaka as though we are two waka travelling together side by side, looking after each other and the land that nourishes us. As the whakatauki (proverb) says “He waka eke noa” – “we are all in this canoe together”.
I know that it is not that simple, that our history makes everything difficult and messy. However, I see that the role of a councillor is to set the strategic direction of our city and this should be a constant long term goal for everything that we do.
What is your usual approach to achieving collegial and constructive relationships with the people you work with? What is the most important element of a constructive working relationship?
My approach is the same with people I am working with as it is with people in other aspects of my life. I really like to truly get to know a person, to feel warmth and connection from my understanding of who they are and what their story is. This helps me truly see them and understand further their position on things and why they are who they are.
There is a Māori principal called whanaungatanga that is a good way to explain what I naturally seem to have done in all of the roles that I have held in my life. Whanaungatanga is about forming and maintaining relationships and acknowledging that this is the glue that binds people together.
It is about persevering until you are able to build a level of connection, trust, and understanding and then continuing to build upon that as you work together. For me it is about finding the good in people and the things you have in common.
In my experience even when there is very little that I have in common with a person about I have always been able to be professional enough to create enough of a hint of whanaungatanga for a constructive relationship to exist. It is important even though everyone is different to each other to be able to pursue your personal best no matter who you work with* and the way that I do that is through whanaungatanga.
* Pursue your personal best no matter who you work with is a key concept from Play is the way, the play based social and emotional learning methodology used at Green Island School, while I was typing these answers a poster displaying that concept was on the kitchen table (amongst my children’s school things) and seemed very fitting for writing this answer. – How we teach our children to be is how we should be acting in the Council Chambers, it’s that simple, and unfortunately is lost at some point in adulthood.
The DCC's place-based community fund has been a game changer for community-led development and growing connected and resilient communities in Ōtepoti. What more will you do as a councillor to support community development in the city? (DCC candidate question only)
I agree completely with this statement that Place-based funding is a game changer and I feel so grateful that it is available to communities in Ōtepoti, I'd like to acknowledge the Councillors who came before me and pushed for this fund to be available and for its recent growth in the short term future.
Having had first hand experience in this space, working in a Place Based Organisation (South Dunedin Community Network) I will be pushing for this fund to always grow in a sustainable way that meets the needs around our communities. I would also be pushing for the system that allocates this fund to be improved to be more equatable, more easily accessible and supportive for all communities.
Currently I am seeing community groups still struggling with the concept that they are all contesting for the same pot of money. I think there could be a more respectful process that allowed the place based groups to be more involved in decisions and discussions around how that fund should be shared out amongst it's recipients, for the better of the entire city. Involving the place based groups in more hui around how the fund works with increased transparency would be a good start. I believe this change would be pivotal in enabling more collaboration between place based groups across the city.
I will not be able to stop myself from actively supporting any community development occurring within the city!! And I would always be willing to have scones not wine for deep korero and relationship building knowing that it might help make a difference. One of the things I am hoping being a councillor may afford me is more time to connect with other groups and be able to support them in all the ways I can.
I will also be watching the Communities team within Council to see how it is reshaped and I will be making sure that it is designed to provide more wrap around, practical and accessible support to all of the groups doing the mahi out in our communities.
May I please add here that I truly believe that it is through connected, engaged communities that we build resiliency and a sense of place and belonging, these things are so important with the challenges we are facing in the next 10 - 50 years. And community development is a long game so we need to start now, knowing that it may take generations to see outcomes.
I would like to thank everyone who is involved in the Place Based Groups as well as other grass roots community organisations as most of it is voluntary or low paid work and it is hard, emotionally exhausting work, and also very important work – I see you people, and I love the change you are making - kia kaha.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
123-456-7890
