This community-led initiative has been designed in response to the feedback gathered for the Just Transitions process via the engagement with the Community Capability work stream, known as Strong Communities Murihiku. The project sets a strong platform to grow and develop over time in response to the needs of the community and social sector. The Connected Murihiku proposal is a means to bring all these agencies, organisations and people together, build connection and resilience and ensure we get the best out of all the community and social activity in Murihiku.

Connected Murihiku is currently governed by a Joint Committee made up of representatives from Southland District Council, Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council, Waihōpai Rūnaka, Te Rūnanga o Awarua, Hokonui Rūnaka, Te Rūnanga o Ōraka Aparima and three community representatives Jess Domigan, Robyn Morris and Stacy Hughes. The Joint Committee had their first meeting on 31 August 2023. 

Connected Murihiku is an online platform together with a project lead and platform content creator. The project lead role is connected with the community and social sector and to start to champion the platform with them. The project lead also gathers the information for the website and is building a picture of what exists and where the gaps are. They facilitate in-person support to the community and social sector in the form of in-person hui and is accessible to those not able to access the online platform.

About Connected Murihiku

Project Lead

Becs Amundsen

PROJECT LEAD

  • Becs Amundsen is a community leader with a proven track record of serving the community. Their journey began 15 years ago when they first became involved in a grassroots initiative where they were able to learn about community-led development. Through this experience Becs learnt first hand the power of community and the opportunity that comes from walking alongside community.

    This led to developing expertise in community engagement and an understanding of the value of fostering connections. Becs has spent many years in governance roles in both the not for profit sector and local government (nine years as a city councillor). They are passionate about making a difference and taking action. Becs is a big picture, strategic thinker with natural leadership skills.

    Their strength lies in using this skillset and experience to connect people, identify and bridge gaps across community, and seeing opportunities. Whether through organising meetings, leading volunteer efforts, or collaborating, Becs is committed to building strong and resilient communities and uses their unique skill set for this purpose.

    With a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of the community and social sector in Murihiku, Becs is excited to be supporting positive change, fostering collaboration and empowering individuals and organisations to achieve the best results for their communities through the role of Project Lead for Connected Murihiku.

    For fun Becs is an enthusiastic (sometimes obsessed) genealogist and enjoys getting out into the bush or travelling around in a house bus.

Our Joint Committee

The Joint Committee is chaired by Pania Coote, she is one of four Rūnaka representatives and represents Te Rūnaka o Awarua. The other representatives are Evelyn Cook, Waihōpai Rūnaka; Tracey Wright-Tawha, Te Rūnanga o Ōraka Aparima and Terry Nicholas, Hokonui Rūnaka.

There are representatives of each council - Steve Broad, Invercargill City Council, Sarah Greaney, Southland District Council and Paul McPhail, Gore District Council.

There are three community representatives - Jess Domigan, Stacy Hughes and Robyn Morris.

To support and harness the collective power of social and community organisations in Murihiku.

Our Mission

 FAQs

  • The Government has cemented its commitment to securing a bright economic future for Southland by launching an economic roadmap for the region as it navigates the impending closure of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter.

    MBIE’s Partnership Just Transition team has been collaborating with the region since early 2021 to support a just transition following the announcement that the owners of the smelter plan to close it at the end of 2024.

    This collaboration has resulted in the release of a Just Transitions Work Plan aimed at building the region’s economic, environmental, and social resilience through and beyond the smelter’s planned closure. This transition presents the region with an opportunity to build a fairer, more sustainable, and more resilient local economy.

    Connected Murihiku is the outcome of the community capacity-building workstream, facilitated by the Strong Communities Working Group.

  • The Strong Communities Working Group was established to manage the Community Connections workstream of the Just Transition program. The group consisted of the following members: Rebecca Amundsen, Tammi Topi, Pauline Smith, Gary Tong, Anne Pullar and Jackie Flutey.

    The group’s purpose was to facilitate a locally-led, future-focused process within our community, aimed at exploring opportunities for a thriving and sustainable future in Murihiku, Southland. Through a community engagement process, feedback was collected and used as the foundation for the Connected Murihiku project.

  • Connected Murihiku supports the entire Southland region, including the areas governed by the Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council and Southland District Council.

  • The Invercargill City Council is supporting the project by managing the Central Government funding and providing administrative support for the Joint Committee.

  • This committee will bring together the strengths of representatives from Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, Murihiku Papatipu Rūnanga and the community.

  • Initially, the committee will be established for a period of 18 months, focusing on recruiting key roles and supporting the platform development and launch period. At the end of this term, the Joint Committee will re-evaluate and consider an extension if required.