Our Way Southland

Our Way Southland was developed by the Shared Services Forum - a collaborative arm of the four southern councils - Southland District, Gore District, Invercargill City and Environment Southland.

Adopting a Southland-wide approach to the legislative requirement to establish community outcomes was thought to be more effective as it would involve all organisations that could influence the social, environmental, economic and cultural wellbeings.

The project started in 2003 with focus groups and the preparation of a snapshot report that comprehensively described the region's people, economy, environment and culture.

Go to the Our Way Southland website

Community Outcomes Identified

The community consultation phase began in 2004 and the feedback was analysed and used to develop the draft Community Outcomes report, released to Southlanders in May 2005.

The final Community Outcomes report was launched in late 2005. Please click on the link below to see a PDF copy of the report.

Our Way Southland Community outcomes report 2005

The outcomes belong to all of Southland and the report details activities already delivered by organisations. It also includes new activities which are hoped to improve the wellbeings of the community.

The seven outcomes are:

• Southland is a great place to live
• A diverse economy built from our strengths for growth and prosperity
• Safe places in a caring society that is free from crime
• We are healthy people
• Strong, effective leadership taking us into the future
• A treasured environment which we care for and which supports us now and into the future
• A well-educated and skilled community continually seeking further opportunities to learn

First Progress Report Released

A monitoring report has recently been released which details progress being made towards the community outcomes.  This report uses a series of indicators to track key outcomes of importance to the community - namely what Southland is like as a place to live, the local economy and environment, how safe roads and communities are, how healthy and educated Southlanders are as well as aspects of leadership.  These indicators will be used to monitor progress being made over time with this initial report covering the period 2005-2008.  The report discusses where Southland is doing well, together with some areas of concern.  it is designed to initiate discussion about whether or not the community's desired outcomes are being achieved for the people of Southland.  The next monitoring report will be produced in 2011.

Our Way Southland Community Outcomes Monitoring Report 2005-2008

The Our Way Southland team held a forum to discuss the results of the report on 29 September 2009.  For more details of this, please contact the Our Way Southland co-ordinator (contact information below).

The Our Way Southland co-ordinator, Dr Aaron Fox, is based at Environment Southland (phone 03 2115115). His email is aaron.fox@es.co.nz