How to make a submission - your voice matters

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Community involvement and feedback is an important part of Council's decision-making process.

Any individual or group/organisation can make a submission, this is the best way to ensure your voice is heard and that elected members consider your views before they make a decision.

We want as many people as possible to share their views with us so we have developed this simple guide to help you write your submission to Council.

__________________________________________________________


Before making a submission

Before making a submission, you need to understand what the proposal involves and how it might affect you. Take the time to read all the documents provided.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions, or would like a little more information, please email us at submissions@poriruacity.govt.nz or call us on 04 237 5089.

Plan your submission

Consider what you want your submission to achieve. Create an outline of points you want to make and the order you'll put them in before you start writing your submission.

Make it clear what your submission is about

If you're not using a Council form, give your submission a title and use headings.

Make your position clear

Tell us whether you support or oppose the proposal. If you want changes made, state what parts you want amended and how you recommend they are changed. You may want to think about the positive or negative impacts that proposed projects or programmes may have on the environment, the community, the economy or cultural well-being.

Give reasons for your position

Tell us why you support or oppose the proposal. Where possible, provide examples and supporting evidence.

Keep your submission relevant to the proposal being discussed

By keeping on topic, your submission will be stronger and easier for the Council to understand.

Tell us who you are

Provide your name and contact details so we can acknowledge your submission and keep you informed. If you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, include its full name and your position there.

All submissions are public information. This supports our drive to be as transparent as possible, but if there are any personal details you don't want made public, please let us know.

Let us know if you want to speak in support of your submission

A hearing is often held at the end of the submission period. You can choose to make an oral submission. This gives you an opportunity to emphasise your most important points from your submission and the Council an opportunity to ask questions about your submission.

After making a submission

Your full submission is presented to Council along with any other submissions we receive. Council will make a decision after considering all submissions received. If you have supplied your email address, we will email you with information about the final decision.



Community involvement and feedback is an important part of Council's decision-making process.

Any individual or group/organisation can make a submission, this is the best way to ensure your voice is heard and that elected members consider your views before they make a decision.

We want as many people as possible to share their views with us so we have developed this simple guide to help you write your submission to Council.

__________________________________________________________


Before making a submission

Before making a submission, you need to understand what the proposal involves and how it might affect you. Take the time to read all the documents provided.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions, or would like a little more information, please email us at submissions@poriruacity.govt.nz or call us on 04 237 5089.

Plan your submission

Consider what you want your submission to achieve. Create an outline of points you want to make and the order you'll put them in before you start writing your submission.

Make it clear what your submission is about

If you're not using a Council form, give your submission a title and use headings.

Make your position clear

Tell us whether you support or oppose the proposal. If you want changes made, state what parts you want amended and how you recommend they are changed. You may want to think about the positive or negative impacts that proposed projects or programmes may have on the environment, the community, the economy or cultural well-being.

Give reasons for your position

Tell us why you support or oppose the proposal. Where possible, provide examples and supporting evidence.

Keep your submission relevant to the proposal being discussed

By keeping on topic, your submission will be stronger and easier for the Council to understand.

Tell us who you are

Provide your name and contact details so we can acknowledge your submission and keep you informed. If you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, include its full name and your position there.

All submissions are public information. This supports our drive to be as transparent as possible, but if there are any personal details you don't want made public, please let us know.

Let us know if you want to speak in support of your submission

A hearing is often held at the end of the submission period. You can choose to make an oral submission. This gives you an opportunity to emphasise your most important points from your submission and the Council an opportunity to ask questions about your submission.

After making a submission

Your full submission is presented to Council along with any other submissions we receive. Council will make a decision after considering all submissions received. If you have supplied your email address, we will email you with information about the final decision.



Page published: 09 Jun 2026, 10:24 AM