PROGRAMME

View more details here.

View more details here.

Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki, Cnr of Hobson and Leach Street

Open to Council Chief Executives only.

Kindly sponsored by Beca

Pā Harakeke o te whānau: Passing the tourch
How collective leadership enables us to stand firm, lead with compassion, and remain steady under pressure.

AI and emerging tech in action
Exploring how the sector is utilising emerging technologies and AI to drive innovation and service efficiencies. 

Strengthening communities through arts and culture
Local government is increasingly tasked with fostering community connection, yet our must powerful cultural assets – libraries, museums, and galleries, historically operate in silos. New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is challenging this status quo by bringing these institutions together into a single, integrated division designed to amplify collective social impact. Drawing on insights from developing a cultural strategy for Launceston, Tasmania, Tracy Pukloswki, NPDC’s Director, Cultural Experiences, will connect this practical local case study with John Hawkes’ landmark framework: culture as the essential fourth pillar of public policy and sustainability.
Facilitated and sponsored by Creative New Zealand

Simpifying local government
As the national reform agenda intersects with local reorganisation, how do councils successfully navigate transition? In this fireside chat, three Chief Executives will share their experiences leading organisations through change. Discover how they manage uncertainty, engage with elected members, staff, and communities, and prepare their councils for the future.
Facilitated and sponsored by Morrison Low

Kindly sponsored by Civic Financial Services

13 Ways to Kill Your Community
Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, is bringing his powerful insights to Te Hui Taituarā. With wit, wisdom, and real-world stories, he’ll inspire us to rethink challenges, take ownership, and spark meaningful change in their communities.

The Lighthouse Leader: Guiding teams through complexity and change
Drawing on her Lighthouse Leadership philosophy, Angela explores how leaders can navigate complexity, sustain their own wellbeing, and create the conditions for their people and organisations to thrive in uncertain times.

An informal evening of food, music, and connection, sponsored by Beca.

Join us for a vibrant, relaxed evening of networking and good company at the iconic White Hart Courtyard. 

We’re transforming this spectacular laneway space into a street-food market featuring an eclectic menu of fresh sushi, charcuterie, steamed dumplings, hot yakitori skewers, pizza, and sweet treats on offer.

With smooth grooves and electronic beats from DJ jünglehaus, this is your chance to unwind, connect with others in the sector, and enjoy an evening in Ngāmotu New Plymouth.

In keeping with tradition, the gnome (IYKYK) will be awarded on the night for ‘Most Distinctive Style’. 

Please note that this is a casual cocktail-style event with food stations and grazing bites, rather than a formal seated dinner.

Partnering for Flood Resilience 
How do we secure the long-term infrastructure investments needed to protect our communities from flooding? This session previews the upcoming business case, Taking the long view of flood risk resilience in Aotearoa NZ. Bringing together perspectives from across the sector—including regional council and TLA professionals—the panel will discuss the framework required to build a sustainable local-central government partnership. Bring your questions for an open Q&A.

Kindly sponsored by PwC

Economics of being local 
Big changes are affecting the world, New Zealand and local communities. Local government is caught up in this maelstrom, amplified by massive changes to its governing regulations and the rules it delivers. Economics, surprisingly, can give us hope in these times. 

Kindly sponsored by Frank Capability

Partnering for the Future
A showcase of best-practice sector projects that demonstrate the power of authentic, long-term partnerships mana whenua. We’ll showcase local government projects that have redefined community and iwi partnership, including:

• Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga (South Taranaki): Discover how South Taranaki District Council and Ngāti Ruanui partnered to create a vibrant civic hub. You'll hear how the building's stunning architecture—from the roofline to the interior shelving—was co-designed to honor their revered ancestress and echo the landscape of Maunga Taranaki.
• Destination Kāwaroa Park (New Plymouth): Learn how New Plymouth District Council, Taranaki Foundation, and Ngāti Te Whiti transformed a historic foreshore reef into a world-class intergenerational play space. We’ll explore how they wove narratives of the whenua, moana, and te taiao into interactive play features that welcome thousands of visitors daily.

Building resilient communities: Leading through a changing hazard landscape
Natural hazard management is changing rapidly, from new national initiatives to innovative local approaches. This panel brings together leaders from across the hazard system to explore the partnerships, innovations and practical lessons that can help councils play their part in building resilient communities.

Leading through change
Addressing the critical challenges of workforce leadership and the essential strategies for supporting and retaining our people.

Kindly sponsored by TechnologyOne

Belonging, Autonomy, Purpose: Leadership that Delivers
In a fast-moving landscape, former Army Engineer Officer and leadership expert Dr. Ellen Joan Ford will deliver a pragmatic blueprint for modern workplace culture. Grounded in belonging, autonomy, and purpose, this high-energy session provides actionable tools to build resilient, high-performing teams where everyone thrives.