A citizens’ assembly is a group of everyday people brought together to learn about an issue, discuss it with others and make recommendations to council. It’s a way for communities to help solve tough problems through careful, respectful and informed discussion.

Citizens’ assemblies help when issues are complex, potentially controversial, and there is no clear direction. They are a way for the public to be directly involved in shaping decisions, offering alternative perspectives and practical ideas.

Anyone 16 or over who lives in Napier can apply. Participants are selected through a process called sortition. It randomly selects people in a way that ensures the Assembly reflects the wider population in terms of age, gender, background, ethnicity and location. If you are randomly selected, you’ll be invited to join!

You can also stay involved by following the process, reading reports, or attending public events linked to the citizens’ assembly.

Napier’s first Citizens’ Assembly will focus on one question:

“What type of aquatic facility would best meet the needs, values, and priorities of the Napier community, and where should it be located?”

Participants will hear from a range of experts, explore community views, and work together to develop recommendations for the council to consider.

You'll learn about the issue from experts and community voices, discuss what you've heard in small groups, ask questions, and work toward shared recommendations. It’s thoughtful, respectful, and often inspiring.

The full session plans will be made available to Assembly members, but each day will follow a similar format and run from approximately 9:30am to 5:00pm, including morning tea, a one-hour lunch break, and afternoon tea.

The first two Saturdays will focus on learning - with a range of speakers and a bus tour of facilities to help set the context. The third and fourth Saturdays will focus on deliberation and forming recommendations.

The Assembly will hear from subject-matter experts from within Council as well as experts from outside of Council like contractors and consultants who have experience in the area of pools and recreation.

There will be people with lived experience, advocates and critics. Information is balanced and reviewed to ensure it is accurate and fair.

No. A citizens’ assembly is made up of regular people, not experts. Participants are given all the information they need to understand the issue and make informed recommendations.

Napier’s first citizens’ assembly will take place in September. Participants will need to attend workshops in the weekends and some evening meetings. Participants will be compensated for their time and expenses, so no one is left out due to cost. Other supports will also be in place like childcare and transport.

The council has committed publicly to:

Publishing an unedited version of the Assembly's recommendations on the Council website within one day of their handover.

Inviting representatives of the Assembly to present to Council at the meeting, where recommendations are formally considered.

Acknowledging in writing each recommendation, explaining next steps and rationale.

Incorporating the Assembly's preferred sites into planning, subject to confirmation of feasibility.

Keeping the development of a new aquatic facility within Council's Long Term Plan (LTP).

Using the Assembly's advice on features and purpose to inform the design brief and community outcomes sought.

Surveys and public meetings often gather quick opinions. A citizens’ assembly takes time for people to listen to in-depth information, consider complex facts, learn from experts, consider a wide range of perspectives and deliberate together. It’s designed to reach well-informed, collective recommendations.

This is the first time Napier has run a Citizens’ Assembly, and our goal is for it to help shape how we engage with our community going forward.

We hope the relationships built through this process, not just with Assembly members, but also with those who applied and weren’t selected, will continue well beyond this project, creating more opportunities to work together on Napier’s big decisions ahead. We’ll be staying in touch with everyone who registered, providing updates and outlining next steps.

No. We will keep the names of Assembly participants confidential. Comments and views shared by participants may be shared with names removed and only age and gender identified.

We will have experienced facilitators on hand during the sessions. There will also be lots of different ways of participating in discussions and decision-making.

Yes. Our trained facilitators understand that people participate in different ways, and the sessions are designed to make everyone feel comfortable. A quiet space will always be available, and if you feel uncomfortable at any time, a dedicated wellbeing lead from our team will be there to support you.

Yes. If you applied for this Citizens’ Assembly and weren’t selected, and you’re happy to be contacted, we’ll keep you informed about future opportunities to be involved - including updates related to this project and any potential future assemblies.

Absolutely. We’re committed to making the Assembly accessible to everyone. If you’re selected, we’ll work closely with you to make sure your access, participation, and support needs are met (like mobility assistance, NZSL interpreters, or other assistance). The venue (Napier War Memorial Centre) has been designed with accessibility in mind.

We’ll work with you on a case-by-case basis. If you need to miss a session, one of the Assembly team can meet with you during the week to help you catch up. Speaker presentations will be recorded, and key information will be available through an Assembly member login or on paper.

We understand that people have whānau responsibilities. If you need help with childcare, eldercare, or other support to attend, we’ll work with you to make it possible.

Yes. Our goal is for the Citizens’ Assembly to reflect the diversity of Napier, including strong Māori representation. We use publicly available demographic data to guide recruitment and ensure a wide range of perspectives are included. A steering group has supported the planning process, helping to embed cultural considerations and guide the team in upholding tikanga throughout the assembly.

We are committed to making the process accessible for everyone. If you have specific support needs such as a support person, interpreter, or other assistance we’ll work with you to make appropriate arrangements.