An agreement to be signed by Waikato Regional Council with WEL Energy Trust will help to end poverty, fight inequality and act on climate change.

Councillors voted unanimously last week to sign the partnership and funding agreement, which will see WEL Energy Trust commit $3 million over five years to the Waikato Wellbeing Project.

In turn, the council will provide $100,000 and in-kind resourcing to kick-start the support function. This contribution will be a reprioritisation of existing funding and staff time.

The Waikato Wellbeing Project identified specific targets through a series of intensive workshops (including in Thames) with hundreds of local leaders and experts last year. The targets are a  blueprint to help citizens, governments, businesses and organisations to help end poverty, fight inequality and act on climate change.

“Working together is key for our council, so we’ll help to facilitate collaboration, ensuring the right people come together to address the complex challenges we face as a region.   “We’ll also work to ensure a connection and partnership with iwi, Government, health, business, education, community organisations and funders,” WRC chief executive Mr Payne said.

The well-being Project has strong support from the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who spoke at a symposium in Hamilton in February.

Oversight for the Waikato Wellbeing Project is being provided by the Waikato Plan Leadership Committee which is administered by the Regional Council and includes most local authorities, and other government and private sector stakeholders.  Unfortunately, Thames-Coromandel District Council has chosen not to be a member of the Waikato Plan Leadership Committee and will therefore not have a direct say in how $3 million in funds will be allocated.

It’s hard to understand the reasoning for TCDC’s noninvolvement in such an important committee.

To find out more on the wellbeing targets, see waikatowellbeingproject.co.nz