I’m always on the look out for ways to improve how we consult with our community so an article by Brent Toderian on 10 Lessons in more engaging Citizen Engagement really grabbed my attention. I was particularly inspired by one of the suggestions to use Pecha Kucha to increase civic participation as I am a big fan of Pecha Kucha Auckland.
I therefore really thrilled when the Waitemata Local Board Chair agreed to collaborate with Pecha Kucha for the launch of our draft Local Board plan on 16 July 2014 .
As far as I’m aware it was the first time in New Zealand the Pecha Kucha format was used as a platform for local government consultation. We called the event a Town Hall special edition. I had the wonderful experience of curated the event with Renee Tanner, Arts and Culture Advisor who has previously worked with Luka from Pecha Kucha Auckland (Luka brought the concept to New Zealand). We aimed for a really good mix of speakers who all contribute in some way to the beating heart of Tāmaki Makaurau. Speakers had free rein over the content of their presentations we just asked that one slide respond to what they would like to see in the Local Board plan.
Over 300 people came along on the night- a huge number for a council consultation event. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People loved the quick format, the venue and most of all the excellent presenters. I especially enjoyed the event because of the young people involved (the youngest presenter was only 11) and the new faces who came along that we don’t normally see at consultation events. It was also fun as a Board member to present with my colleagues using the Pecha Kucha format (20 slides divided between 6 board members)
I highly recommend using Pecha Kucha to engage with the community instead of or in addition to the usual Council- style public meetings. Thanks to Brent Toderian for the idea!
PKN_AKL_ special Town Hall edition in collaboration with the Waitematā Local Board // Wednesday 16 July 2014 // doors open 06.30pm / start 07.30pm // Town Hall, Concert Chambers, Queen St, Auckland CBD // free entry // come early as there will be limited seats
List of presenters (in this order):
Ngarimu Blair // Ngati Whatua // Maori In the City
Jessica Ji // Year 7 Inner city resident // Do Children Feel Safe in Public Educational Spaces
Anja Vroegop // Walking and Cycling coordinator, Auckland Transport // The Future of Cycling in Auckland
Shelagh Coop // Parnell Heritage // Older citizens fired up
Alex Swney // Heart of the City // Tarmac – oh so yesterday – urban place making now past tipping point
Elected Representatives // Waitematā Local Board // Plans plans plans – there’s more to us than plans
Emma McInnes // Generation Zero // Smart campaigning to influence decision makers
Alycea Meredith-Lelei // Year 12 AGGS // Roots Pollinate: Art, community and Youth go POP
Ben Bell // Low Impact // One less rubbish truck
Esther Hjelmstrom // Council Landscape Architect // Greenways – delivering the dream
Denise Bijoux // Inspiring Communities // Building community and being locally-led
NZ Sign interpreters present at the event