Collaboration, finding solutions for the future of heritage buildings, care and storage of archives, greater engagement of younger people, working with the new curriculum, website development and marketing, training, the need for a paid resource and support for strategic planning were just some of the topics raised in the Buller District heritage planning workshop last week in Westport.
Held across all three districts by Heritage West Coast, the workshops were aimed at bringing together those leading heritage projects, councils and professionals to chart a path for future growth and longevity of the local heritage and culture sector. They also aimed to foster collaboration, discussion, and the exchange of valuable insights. All information gathered is currently being compiled into implementable strategic documents for District and Regional Planning.
“Our workshops were attended by 25 participants, representing over 30 different organisations, creating a diverse and knowledgeable environment for strategic insights”, Laugharne Kemp, Capability and Resilience Project Manager for Heritage West Coast, commented on the success of the workshops. “The positive outcomes of these strategic planning workshops enthuse us. A high level of engagement, the open exchange of opinions, and the commitment to pursuing strategic alignment were all fantastic. Strategies developed due to these workshops will help guide the West Coast toward a regenerative and sustainable heritage future. While each district had special issues and opportunities, these were definite common themes to all three districts. The Buller District discussion included a strong focus on youth, including how to best help support the new history curriculum and engage a younger generation in the heritage space.”
Draft strategies will be prepared from the workshop’s findings and submitted towards all Councils’ Annual and Long-Term Plans. The work is part of the first stages in Heritage West Coast’s Ministry of Culture and Heritage-funded Capability Project that also includes a range of sector training events, the development of a regional website, supporting schools with the new curriculum and assisting with project planning.
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Laugharne Kemp
Project Manager
heritageproject@labk.co.nz
