On 17 November 2010, exactly two years after the first draft of the Tamaki Inclusive Engagement Strategy (TIES) was completed, the Ties Team gathered to launch their book and accompanying resources, entitled Creating TIES that strengthen.

The TIES Team came together in 2008 to explore better ways of doing th i n gs across Tamaki communities and with government and interested others. With l oca l support and the commitment of  the Tamaki Transformation Programme, Inspiring Communities, the Tindall Foundation and the ASB Community Trust, the book  documents the first eighteen months of the TIES journey. Recalling his memori es of working in Tamaki 40 years ago as a community adviser, Professor Ian Shirley’s forward to the book highlights how the book draws on stories and lessons of the past to illuminate the present, and pave ways for the future. It also discusses context and catalysts, including the government-led Tamaki Transformation Project (TTP) that seeks to drive transformational change in Tamaki.  Pat Sneddon, the Chair of TTP, explains that in driving change across Tamaki participating government agencies intend to “…utilize our collective resources to assist the community to take charge of their own circumstances… and to reach for a brighter future”.

The idea of transformative change and doing things differently struck a chord with members of the TIES Team.  Their community-led initiative sought to respond to TTP by developing collaborative relationships that positioned Tamaki communities as agents of change, and as co-developers and decision-makers in any initiatives affecting their futures.  The TIES book reveals the confidence and assurance of communities who know they have parts to play in transformational developments, and also know how they want to play those parts.

Working with a scribe, the book was coauthored by 11 members of the TIES Team with additional contributions from more than 10 community storytellers. Beautifully presented, the book documents and passes on local stories, wisdom and knowledge for others to hear, know and understand. It highlights what has worked well so far in Tamaki from the perspective of local communities as well as the challenges faced and persistence needed to forge community-led initiatives. The book offers a principle-based  framework and tools to guide effective community engagement in Tamaki:

We promote collaborative reflection on and in action, on the basis that many eyes can see more than one set and a room full of ears will hear more than one pair. We strive to speak as a collective voice; respecting our individual interests and various connections, and knowing our communities will keep us in check. (P24)

Alongside other achievements of TIES, particularly in contributing to the development of TTP through community commentator roles, strategic advice and planning hui, this book is a positive and tangible outcome of community-led development. It is a huge source of pride to TIES and the wider community. The book will be used in Tamaki as a strong basis for working together, and is offered as a resource to support other communities seeking to collaborate with diverse partners. The coauthors from TIES also hope their book will encourage other communities to document their stories and ways of working.

Said Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse at the launch, “It has taken me to come to Glen Innes to feel really comfortable [with the Auckland Council] because this is the stuff of my heart and this is exactly the place to start…the best  thing that you could possibly have done is record the things that work. We need these stories to know the right thing to do. And the first thing to do is to come and talk to the community. You have done the homework, the mahi, the time, you have put the energy into recording the stories of who you are and how you want to work with us and I just want to say thank you, thank you so much.”

The book was launched in the Glen Innes library, in the company of over 200 guests from across Tamaki, Auckland.  The festive programme powerfully demonstrated this community’s knowledge and its determination to be an active partner in decisions and developments affecting their future.  Speeches were relished by a group of talented youth from Tamaki College, who expressed their understandings of TIES through poetry, rap and dance. The kapahaka roopu of Ruapotaka Marae sung heart-stirring songs and a multimedia presentation communicated reflections on the journey from TIES team members. Longtime resident, active community worker, and dearly loved kuia, Dolly Walker, blessed the book and read the TIES poem, which was followed by the sharing of food.

In endorsing the book, Tamaki Transformation Chair Pat Sneddon reminded everyone of the transformational power of community action:

“…it’s a truly transformative power when a community expresses to those in power exactly where the brilliance lies, and the brilliance lies in people taking control of their own destiny and in this community with this process you are narrating that dream, you are telling that story because that story is foundational…you must be the authors of your own future in this process”                 Pat Snedden

You can buy a copy of the book and read more about TIES at www.tiesbook.org.nz

More reading – Knowledge from Kings

To learn more about some of the special residents of Tamaki, download the inspiring e-book: Knowledge from Kings: Stories and wisdom from the Kings Road Housing Complex published earlier in 2010 by the Tamaki Transformation Project.

Social work student Rebecca Harrington and social practice student Candice Reed co-authored this work, telling the first hand stories of the residents of the former council-owned dwellings now under refurbishment and with beautiful photographs of the people and place of Tamaki.  Download Knowledge from Kings

See also the government's announcement of the go-ahead for the Kings Road project.  http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1011/S00102/13-million-housing-redevelopment-in-tamaki.htm