An historic meeting of the political wings of the Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty District Health Board has resulted in a vow to work together to improve community health, including issues associated with homelessness.
Yesterday's first-ever get together vowed to make a difference and "get runs on the board" by combining the expertise and resources of each organisation.
Although the meeting did not drill down to specific actions, Mayor Stuart Crosby said Tauranga's rapid growth meant the council and the DHB should be looking for opportunities to work together to benefit the community. "It is about getting to know each other and identifying opportunities."
There was already a strong move towards an environment where people did not have to go to hospital. Current community initiatives included walking groups and green prescriptions for overweight people.
Housing and the growing number of families resorting to living in cramped accommodation like garages was another area where the DHB and the council could co-operate, he said.