Community Enterprises
Throughout its history New Zealand has had a love affair with community enterprises. In the nature of love affairs, at times the relationship has been close; at others, distant. At times during the years since the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) these forms of organisations have been turned to as a first choice to address an institutional need. At others, the public policy climate has been less than welcoming. Yet throughout those years they have survived both as a concept and a reality.
The oldest surviving community enterprise in New Zealand is probably the TSB Bank formed in 1850. Electricity supply was often provided by community owned enterprises. Over the years, communities have sought to protect their interests by forming such diverse entities as health, local hospitals, education and forestry trusts.
Community ownership is well suited to the sale and governance of sensitive products like alcohol and gaming. Licensing Trusts were moderating the use of alcohol in their communities long before harm minimisation procedures became the national vogue. Accountability back to the community through the known and easy access of elected trustees has been a powerful mechanism for moderation.
Read more about this topic: Licensing Trust
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