ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates the relevance and value of the group relations (GR) model in understanding and working with groups in the context of a local government and civic engagement. It focuses on migration and re-discovering self and the New Zealand context: the Maori people, and later immigration patterns and increasing ethno-cultural diversity of the most ethnically diverse city; context of local government. The chapter discusses the lieu or a small or large study group: observations and reflections drawn from regular Panel meetings–the group finding and making a place for itself, in the external world and for itself. It illustrates through a personal narrative, the working of a group, set up by a local government, in its establishment phase. The chapter highlights the relevance of insights and use of GR in working through the challenges of providing advice to the group outside of a standard group relations conference.
