Real consultation please

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 529, 29 March 1994, Page 4

Real consultation please

• I would like to share with your readers some ideas about consultation. As I read the Bulletin week after week I notice letters, articles, advertisements, public notices which involve aspects of consultation between people and public bodies. I was excited recently to hear a radio comment by Margie Comre, Business Communications lecturer at Massey University. The message she gives is that, whilst public bodies honourably fulfil the requirements of the acts which require them to consult, citizens often have a suspicion of being steam-rollered because they feel there is a gap between the requirements of the acts and their expectation of real consultation. She said "too often, bodies required to consult with the public really see the process as a chance for persuasion. They listen to, but aren't influenced by, opposing views. Proposals are being fully developed before they reach the light of day and then sprung suddenly on the public. the proposers are geared to face opposition rather than to listen and adapt. The frequent result is rigid thinking and a lack of creativity and problem solving. Consultation should take place as you think about the problem not after planning the solution". Ordinary people understand this. That's why they're dissatisfied with 'mode' consultation. Making any decision requires weighing up the interests of one group against another and public bodies do strive for sound choices but their narrow listening range, restricted to business people and large organisations, handicaps them and from the public 's viewpoint. Nothingis more annoying than being asked for an opinion, making the effort (which all too few do") to respond and then having your concerns brushed aside. In running a consultation process that really doesn't consult, public bodies risk alienating their community. Those who make the decisions which run our lives are right to be concerned about the heavy costs and the inconveniences of true consultation, but we're on the brink of technologies to make this much easier and we should remember that the unthinking rush to solutions has compounded many of our public problems. Really listening and consulting widely could give us better solutions. Ones we're all prepared to live with! Many of us will relate to the ideas expressed here. Those of us who have felt 'brushed off or 'steam-rollered' know that their opinions are valid and they are entitled to have them acknowledged. The Japanese have a term 'Kaigen' meaning continual improvement. Our combined energies will bring continual improvement in consultation in the community. Blessed be. Ani Vincent