21 communities from around the world can now compete to become one of the top seven finalists to be named Smart Community of the Year
The Whanganui District Council’s approach to climate change has helped the city gain international recognition as a leading model for economic and social development, for the seventh time.
Whanganui was again named Smart21 City by the US think tank, the Intelligent Community Forum, and is the only New Zealand city to make this year’s list.
21 communities from around the world can now compete to become one of the top seven finalists to be named Smart Community of the Year.
The economic development agency Whanganui & Partners, which is funded and follows the strategic direction established by the Whanganui District Council, said initiatives in areas including employment, innovation, equality and inclusion have been key components of the Whanganui application. but the board’s approach to sustainability and its digital strategy has turned the balance upside down.
After community consultation and discussion, the council declared a climate emergency in 2020 and pledged to take action on climate change.
A climate change strategy, written in partnership with iwi, outlined priorities and goals for the council, including:
- leading for example
- working collaboratively
- increase resilience
- and encourage everyone in the community to do their part.
The strategy was founded in December 2021 with the appointment of a city councilor for climate change.
The board’s digital strategy, approved in 2019, based on the early 2012 launch of ultrafast fiber, which put Whanganui ahead of most of Aotearoa, said Whanganui & Partners. The strategy has an ambitious vision of “harnessing digital opportunities to empower and enrich our community”.
The board appointed Connected Community Advisor Jo Buckingham in April 2021 to lead the strategy’s action plan. Buckingham built the Smart21 City application with the support of Lou Tyson Walker, strategic leader of Whanganui & Partners.
