Our vision and values

Our mission, vision and values set the future direction of the Gisborne District Council.  This is our guiding light and should ensure that all our strategies, actions and decisions are aligned.  

Our mission

Lead and support the social, cultural, economic and environmental development of our communities.
Mō te Tairāwhiti (meaning: For the Tairāwhiti)

Our vision

First to see the light.  First choice for lifestyle and people, enterprise and environment.
Ka mau te wehi (meaning: fantastic! awesome! accepting the challenge.  Used to give positive acknowledgement, recognition and encouragement)

Our values

• Giving service
• Doing it right the first time
• Innovation
• Can do attitude
• Solution focus
• Learning and improving
• Working together

What we will do

Gisborne / Tairāwhiti needs to be more than a place just for today.  Those who follow after us must find a place that is better than it is now.

Council will take responsibility for leading the community now and into the future. It will not direct but will help to shape: collaborating with and listening to its communities and seeking the best advice.

Tuatahi ka mārama mai nei
Tuatahi ka whiriwhiri mai rā
Mahia

Meaning:

The first thing is understanding 
The first thing is engagement
Now, lets do something about it

What do we hear people asking?

■ Lead and be advocates with and for the community.
■ Enhance the environment so we can provide for the needs of our tamariki, mokopuna (children, grandchildren).
■ Create a place that looks and feels great and where lifestyle and enterprise thrive together.
■ Provide us with guidance and support but allow us the freedom to live our lives.
■ Protect our assets, not just the pipes and the roads but also our heritage, taonga and our social and cultural assets.
■ Be prudent with our finances.
■ Value everyone - do it together.

Mō mātou ka tahi
Mō koutou ka rua
Mō tātou ka toru
Mō rātou ka whā
Ka mau te wehi

Meaning:

Firstly it is for us
Secondly it is for you
Thirdly it is for us all
Fourthly it is for them, the next generation
And that's awesome.
(Used to acknowledge the all-encompassing role and responsibility of council and the community to the Tairāwhiti)

Gisborne / Tairāwhiti is New Zealand’s preferred region for lifestyle based on the quality of our environment, the enterprise of our people and our special identity.