Marfell, In New Plymouth, has many local strengths, including the Marfell celebrations in March this year.  Sadly, though, it has been identified as the most deprived area within urban New Plymouth. Despite much effort over the years, Marfell has seen relatively little progress towards improvement: however, this is set to change in the near future as the community implements more bottom-up, community-led development initiatives which focus on community leadership and cohesion, and result in a strong community in which its residents and stakeholders have pride.

The Marfell Combined Culture Trust in New Plymouth opened in the 1980s and provides a long-standing basis for developing community leadership in Marfell. The Chairperson, Glen Bennett, says it was not the Trust's intention to be “the be all and end all” but rather to provide an access point for residents in the Marfell area. Using a community development focus, the objective is for Marfell to become a stronger and resilient community. Simon Cayley of the Bishop’s Action Foundation, says that new leaders are needed who can focus on the community’s regeneration.

Marfell experiences higher unemployment, lower average household earnings, and fewer internet connections than the rest of new Plymouth. Government and statutory agencies deliver a range of services in the area and fund a vast number of consultation exercises - sometimes resulting in “consultation fatigue”. In spite of this there has been very little progress, development or sustainable change in the last two decades.

One continuing issue identified by the community is the need for greater capacity and cohesiveness to be a driver of its own development. While community leaders do exist, they do not yet hold the mandate of the larger community. This has meant that engagement within Marfell remains top-down, with the community as a key informant rather than as a leader. As a result the Marfell community has identified the need to focus on developing the capacity of the community to come together with strong leadership - and through these leaders to identify a vision for its future.

If a funding application is successful, the community will appoint a community worker who will work for the local community and develop leadership capability. This will enable the community to identify their own needs and strengths, and engage with appropriate agencies and stakeholders to develop responses to them.

A key element of the engagement process will be an asset-based approach. The initiative will work from the perspective that everyone living and working in, or engaged with, the Marfell community has something to offer. Focus groups will be held with sections of the community to ascertain skills, capacities and resources. Themes and issues emerging from these discussions will form the starting point for an action plan.

Over the next three years it is hoped that Marfell will become a strong cohesive community in which the residents have pride. But first there is a need for a unified vision for the future. Strong community leaders will be identified, supported and resourced. Collaborative relationships will be nurtured with government departments, community organisations, the local authority, business and funders. These diverse sectors will be involved in co-ordinated activities and programmes. Systems and processes will be developed to sustain a comprehensive, multi-sector strategy for the increase of social capital in Marfell. Neighbours will know and support each other and residents will have the capacity to resolve the complex issues they face. Inspiring Communities is ready to work with and support Marfell.

Prepared by Simon Cayley of the Bishops Action Foundation and
Elaine Chair of the Taranaki Employment Support Foundation