12 November 1997 Lincoln University and Labour Department's Community Employment Group join forces for rural community development

An alliance to promote the development of rural communities throughout New Zealand has been formalised between the Department of Labour's Community Employment Group and Lincoln University.

The partnership will encourage processes aimed at job creation, business development and income generation in local rural communities and a Memorandum of Understanding between the two bodies was signed at the November 11 meeting of Lincoln University's Council.

"New initiatives will assist rural community practitioners to extend their networks and gain access to both high quality information as well as resource people conversant with up-to-date research findings," explained Dr Lynette Hardie Wills who has worked on the Rural Community Development project at Lincoln University since August, 1996.

"High levels of unmet tertiary education needs exist in most rural communities throughout New Zealand. Current research has already voiced many of the needs of rural NZ communities. Our focus is now shifting to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of relevant training and educational opportunities. These will include some innovative instructional design and delivery modes. Network development and the dissemination of high quality information and resources throughout New Zealand is seen as a very high priority," said Professor Tony Zwart who has chaired the Community Employment Group/Lincoln University Working Party.

The immediate establishment of a full-time position at Lincoln University would ensure that the momentum the CEG/LU Working Party has established continues beyond discussion, according to Hilary Allison, Regional Manager (Southern South Island) for the Community Employment Group based in Dunedin.

"Planned orientation programmes involving both Lincoln University and CEG staff will develop areas of need and indicate where our mutual interests intersect.

We are keen to ensure that the partnership's ultimate delivery to rural communities throughout New Zealand is of the highest quality," said Ms Allison.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at the Lincoln University Council meeting was attended by six members from the Community Employment Group (Department of Labour) led by its General Manager, Parekura Horomia (Wellington) and Hilary Allison, CEG Regional Manager based in Dunedin. Garry Moore, CEG Regional Manager based in Christchurch was present along with Gail Parata, Maha A Iwi Co-ordinator (Wellington), Community Employment Advisers – Danny Gresham (Geraldine) and Peter Vink (Amberley, North Canterbury) and the three Lincoln members of the working party, Professor Tony Zwart, Don Crabb, Director of Continuing Education and Dr Lynette Hardie Wills.

Professor Tony Zwart., Department of Economics & Marketing., Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand

Hilary Allison, Regional Manager, Community Employment Group, Department of Labour, Dunedin, New Zealand