Welcome to New Plymouth District ... An Accredited International Safe Community

What is an 'International Safe Community'?

International Safe Communities (ISC) is a World Health Organisation (WHO) concept that recognizes safety as  "universal concern and a responsibility for all". This approach to safety encourages greater cooperation and collaboration local and government agencies, community organisations and the business sector. 

In order to be designated as an ISC, communities are required to meet six criteria developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Community Safety at the Karolinska Institute for Social Medicine in Stockholm Sweden. The ISC accreditation process provides an indication of a level of achievement within the field of community safety.

Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand (SCFNZ), as a Certifying & Affiliate Support Centre for the WHO Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion, accredits communities using the international criteria. 

In 2005, New Plymouth injury Safe and New Plymouth District Council put together a successful application to SCFNZ to have New Plymouth District accredited as an International Safe Community. New Plymouth District was officially designated a Safe Community on 10th October 2005.

Our Virtual Safe Community Information Centre

 The New Plymouth Safe Community Website has been set up as a community resource for those with an interest in promoting safety across Taranaki. The development and hosting of the site is funded by New Plymouth injury Safe. The ongoing maintenance of the site is led by a team of 'safety coordinators' who are responsible for keeping different sections of the website up to date. 

Through this approach, the site brings together a wide range of safety related information into one place - a kind of 'one stop shop' for community safety in our region.  As a result, local organisations and groups can use the site to find out more about safety issues or to share information about their own services and projects with others. 

While the focus is largely on New Plymouth District, the website is available for use by groups and organisations across Taranaki. A number of the coalition groups and related community safety programmes profiled on this site operate at a regional level.

You will find a wealth of information within this site. Everything from injury statistics and information about community safety initiatives through to contact details for local safety networks and links to other relevant websites. 

If you are involved in a local community safety group or programme that is not currently mentioned on this site we would love to hear from you! Please contact New Plymouth injury Safe and we will put you in touch with the relevant safety coordinator.