Helping rural communities thrive
The Office for Rural Communities is a team within the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Established in 2017, we provide a rural perspective in government policies and decisions and help improve the resilience of rural communities across New Zealand.
Our policy advice includes topics like:
- social development
- equitable access to services
- infrastructure
- regional economic development
- environmental resilience.
Our team helps make sure our rural communities thrive.
If you have a question or want to find out how we can help, email OfficeRuralCommunities@mpi.govt.nz
How we help ensure policies consider the needs of rural communities
We run tailored "rural proofing" workshops for staff at government agencies.
We’ve also developed an education module to support agencies to consider rural communities in their decision-making processes.
Rural proofing online education module
This module will help you consider the unique needs of rural communities when developing policies, including:
- identifying policy objectives and rural stakeholders
- analysing the effects on rural communities
- engaging with rural stakeholders
- identifying ways to mitigate any negative impacts.
We provide support to government agencies through the policy process, which includes encouraging them to use our checklist.
Rural proofing impact assessment checklist [PDF, 203 KB]
We also work with organisations that provide support to rural communities.
Other parts of MPI support the rural communities portfolio by working across government and with regional partners to incorporate the needs of rural communities in the delivery of essential services.
Our minister
The Minister for Rural Communities is Mark Patterson. You can read his short biography on the government website, Beehive.
