Information
The provision of information is a two way process which ensures that rural communities are involved in the policy formation process. The information supplied helps rural people provide information back to government, which influences policy which in turn comes back to rural people.
MAF’s information flagship is the Rural Bulletin published monthly and distributed to over 2500 local networks, through which it reaches several thousand people. Since it has been made available on the internet it is now regularly received by international audiences as well. People as far afield as Eastern Europe are making use of the good ideas for rebuilding their social networks and local economies.
The Bulletin provides information on new policy developments - information which is appreciated by MAF staff and other government agencies in addition to its target rural audience. A key feature is the advice it provides to rural people on how they can have input into the policyprocess.
The Bulletin passes on "good news" stories of initiatives taken in rural areas, outlines findings of research carried out by MAF (particularly our unique work in the field of rural social science) and research and information from other organisations. Another key feature is its information on sources of funding for community groups, and tips on how a community can work to manage the issues confronting it.
The Community Help Directory is published annually as an extensive and exhaustive source of information about Government and private agency services. Its purpose is to assist people access information about, and phone/fax or mail contact to, a wide range of services that are fundamental to people’s work and social lives. There are twenty chapters covering everything from emergency services to taxation issues, from transport and communications to tourism and recreation, from education to health and welfare, from agriculture and business to housing, from daylight saving to copyright protection, from Maori organisations to members of Parliament. An additional chapter provides information about specific Government policies and programmes for rural residents (eg school transport). The Directory which began as a pilot in 1992 is now produced commercially, part sponsored (to keep the price down) by a range of Government agencies.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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