Our work is driven by our Impact Framework. This enduring, overarching structure helps us define, measure and communicate the difference our work is making for the environment and communities of Waitaha/Canterbury.
Our impact in Waitaha – What we’re doing and why
This framework helps us focus our efforts for maximum positive outcomes for the environment and community. It provides:
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a clear link between what we do (the services we provide) and the outcomes or long-term change we want to achieve
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a way to measure and report on our success
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a way to see how our work contributes to the bigger picture.
As the regional council for Waitaha, our specific responsibilities are set out in legislation. Our priorities and the outcomes we seek are shaped by our role and responsibilities.
We can’t achieve outcomes alone – to make the greatest impact, we must work with our partner Ngāi Tahu, other agencies, and the people of Waitaha. And in all our work, we must also take into account the effects of climate change.
View our Impact Framework overview
Our core services
In 2024, we made a fundamental shift in the way we organise our work to become more outcome-focused and purpose-driven. We are focusing our activity on three core services. Organising our work into these core services allows us to achieve the greatest environmental, social, economic and cultural outcomes for Waitaha.
Environmental regulation and protection
We’re an environmental regulator managing air, soil, water, and land. We work with mana whenua, stakeholders, and communities to protect and sustain our natural environment.
Community preparedness and response to hazards
We help communities prepare for and respond to natural and human-made hazards, focusing on flood and river resilience through advocacy, planning, and delivery.
Outcomes and outcome measures
Taking action together to shape a thriving and resilient Waitaha/Canterbury, now and for future generations | Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te iwi.
Outcomes: Our Council has identified a set of outcomes for our environment and communities – the enduring changes we want to see, which move us towards the Council’s vision for Waitaha. Each outcome has one or more measures to monitor progress towards these outcomes over time.
Outcome measures: For each outcome, we have developed one or more outcome measures, which will help us to monitor how effectively we are making progress towards these outcomes over time.
Service measures
To measure the performance of our core service delivery, we have 34 service measures with targets. We report to Council each quarter on our progress with core service performance.
Service measures: The 34 service measures, organised by core service, are a way to check whether we’re delivering services to the standards we’ve set. Each has one or more specific targets, which track our performance in these key areas of work.
Financial performance: We manage finances to benefit our community, reporting performance to the Council against budgets.
Our vision and aspirations
The Council has agreed a vision for Waitaha and a strategic direction that includes our values, long-term aspirations, strategic priorities, and guiding principles.
These underpin the Council’s vision for the community over the long-term and provide a basis for how we work together with partners and stakeholders.
Our Long-Term Plan
Our Long-Term Plan/Te Pae Tawhiti 2024-34 (LTP) reflects our impact framework – it sets out our strategic vision, commitment and accountability to the community.
It outlines the outcomes we aim to achieve, how we’ll measure impact, and our planned work and funding over the next 10 years. The Council updates the LTP every three years, with Annual Plans produced in between.