You can’t make a difference by complaining about what someone else should have done.

Hands Up began life in May 2006 when a group of locals got together at The Boathouse on Nelson’s iconic waterfront to debate the future of the region. Dissatisfaction with where Nelson was compared to other Regions, the perceived negative culture within our Councils the competition between them, and the lack of a consistent and inspirational long term vision across the entire region fuelled a desire for change.

Hands Up was born out of the need for people in the community who have hitherto been sitting on the sidelines to get onto the playing field. The mission was to move from complaint into action. Our objective has been to inspire debate on a better future and make it possible for everybody to participate in its delivery.

We facilitated debate on key elements of a long term vision in an organised workshop in October 2006, we sponsored visiting speakers such as Mark Blumsky to come and talk to us about “making a difference”, we spoke and consulted with many different interest groups in the Community and united and inspired many people to come forward with offers of help.

Hands Up have been encouraging and identifying fresh and action oriented leadership talent to put themselves forward as candidates for the Local Government Elections in October 2007. These people we believe can contribute to the region in exciting ways through the powerful combination of clear thinking and good governance, people who will promote the development of a clear regional vision that residents can get in behind and help to deliver. An alignment of thinking and agreement around key platforms through a team approach is the best mechanism to move the region forward

Hands Up is not a pro amalgamation or a business lobby group. We are a collection of residents who believe best outcomes will come when the people of both Nelson and Tasman harmonise their talents and differences and move together towards common goals.

The Hands Up campaign represents a community effort with people from all walks of life, who inspired by the message have provided time and resources to ensure the Hands Up candidates are known and understood. We have undertaken a comprehensive search programme to find and encourage emerging talent within our community that will truly bring new and inspirational leadership qualities to the key governance roles in Nelson and Tasman. We have focussed on people who exhibit values of freshness in thinking, an orientation for action, who show a willingness to work together with energy, passion and commitment to make Nelson a better place for future generations and finally a desire to change the culture within and between Councils.

That is their commitment to us… our commitment is to support them in their quest to get elected and post election to link to the wealth of knowledge and experience in our networks and galvanise key stakeholders in the community to support them in their mission to restoring this region to a place we are all proud of.'

After the election and outside of government, more projects will follow. Hands Up will continue to work independently to find other ways for people to contribute to making the Nelson region the best place it can possibly be.