Put your opinions where they matter.

Citizens' Assembly is a group of everyday people, working together to
tackle big questions about what's next for Napier.

Napier's first Citizens' Assembly participants were welcomed by Napier City Council at Pukemokimoki Marae ahead of their first Assembly session on Saturday 13 September.

A huge thank you to the 652 people who put their hands up for Napier's first Citizens' Assembly. From those, 40 participants were selected with a wide mix of ages, backgrounds and experiences. The group included five young people aged 16-18, parents of school-aged kids, renters, jobseekers, and even two Hastings residents who use Napier's services. There were also six reserves. The Assembly met for four full-day sessions and will share their recommendations with Council in late October.

The focus of the Assembly was the future of the Napier Aquatic Centre, also known as Onekawa Pools. Napier City Council has promised to publish the Assembly's recommendations in full, invite members to present to Council, respond to each recommendation in writing, and incorporate their advice into planning for a new facility. The development of a new pool remains in our Long Term Plan, and the Assembly's insights will help shape the design brief.

Over the sessions, participants heard from experts, learnt about community views, and worked together to form their recommendations. Expert presentations and daily summaries were published here.