The populations of New Zealand’s towns are growing and becoming increasingly urbanised. In response, Matamata-Piako District Council created a new programme that could engage with communities to prepare for these changes.

Place Creative worked with MPDC staff to develop Pride of Place (‘POP’) a programme that crosses over co-design, engagement, communications, community development, activations and events, to find community voices that will shape the future of their town centre. Utilising many methods of collaboration with local people, the programme aimed to uncover their aspirations, and articulate them in a Place Plan. 

Place Creative led information gathering, strategic support and advice for the MPDC project team, workshop design, monitoring and evaluation design, and plan writing.

A copy of Matamata’s POP Plan can be found here.