Seven ways to structure your advice
People who work in the local government sector are swimming in information, which is a heady mix of central government and consultants’ reports,...
debraOctober 2, 2021
Three takeaways from a writing workshop
Over the past month I have been developing in-depth content for a writing workshop which will include a two-hour overview in the morning...
debraSeptember 3, 2021
Working with consultants – 15 ways to reduce the risks and maximise the benefits
Working with a consultant for the first time carries some risks. There’s a lot of trust involved – you discuss your project and...
debraJuly 30, 2021
How to overcome resistance, fear and self-doubt when you write
Writer's block can strike in any of the following ways: resistance to getting started fear of writing a boring report not knowing exactly...
debraJuly 2, 2021
Review: Navigating Critical 21st Century Transitions
A report on Navigating Critical 21st Century Transitions outlines five transitions we all need to make to: low emissions livingbe better prepared for...
debraJune 1, 2021
How to summarise and report on submissions
I’m the first to admit that summarising submissions is not glamorous work … but it is an essential element of consultation. When submitters...
debraApril 26, 2021
Viable options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The Climate Change Commission's 2021 report includes a number of recommendations for central and local government to work together on reducing New Zealand's...
debraFebruary 20, 2021
Audit New Zealand advice on LTP consultation documents and community engagement
Over the next couple of months New Zealand councils will be releasing their Long Term Plan (LTP) consultation documents, so it’s timely to...
debraJanuary 31, 2021
How to write an interesting consultation document
One of the challenges of writing a concise, interesting resource management or Long Term Plan consultation document is that the starting point is...
debraJanuary 11, 2021
How to write a submission on a council plan
Here's a checklist for writing a submission on a council plan. (This content is informed by a submission I edited for Ian McComb...
debraNovember 30, 2020
