PROGRAMME

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Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki, Cnr of Hobson and Leach Street

Open to Council Chief Executives only.

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Kindly sponsored by Frank Capability

Kindly sponsored by Beca

Resistance, Resilience and Reconciliation
The story of Parihaka as an example of nationhood and hope

Keeping risk front-of-mind – recent case law, developing reforms and real challenges
Identifying and managing risk has been a long-standing challenge across the sector. Given the broad scope of council activity, and wide range of assets managed by councils, ensuring risk is fully understood and that there is proper oversight is difficult to manage. 

In light of two high profile reviews in the media at present, there is a growing focus on considering risk as part of good council decision-making. This session will provide an overview of the risk context for the sector, discuss recent case law and developing reforms (good and bad), and outline several challenges that need to be overcome in order to support good governance.

1 | AI in action: practical innovation delivering community outcomes
Sponsored by MartinJenkins and facilitated by Philip Shackleton, Principal Advisor, Sector Readiness, Taituarā 

This session presents two practical council case studies showing how AI can improve productivity, strengthen risk-based decisions and deliver community value, while maintaining governance, transparency and human oversight.

Turning the Tide: Large Woody Debris AI-assisted Removal 
Sarah Pohatu, Principal Project Advisor, Woody Debris at Tairāwhiti Gisborne District Council, shares the council’s Supreme Excellence Award-winning response to Cyclone Gabrielle. Using aerial and drone imagery, AI and a Multi-Criteria Assessment framework, the council prioritised woody debris risk and targeted recovery efforts. More than 600,000 cubic metres of debris has since been removed, helping protect infrastructure, transport routes, water supplies, farmland and coastal communities.

AI-Volution: scaling responsible AI across a council
Jared Griffiths from MartinJenkins will explain how Hutt City Council’s award-winning AI-Volution programme grew from experimentation to organisation-wide use. Guided by an AI strategy and policy grounded in Tika and Pono, the council introduced 300 secure licences and 15 custom AI assistants. The programme is reported to save 44,000 staff hours and $900,000 annually. The case study covers the governance, leadership, workforce capability and measurement needed to adopt AI safely at scale.

What you will take away

• Choosing AI applications that solve clearly defined problems and deliver public value.
• Using AI, geospatial information and structured assessment to strengthen risk-based decisions.
• Building the governance, human oversight and staff capability needed to scale AI responsibly.
• Measuring and communicating productivity gains and community outcomes.

Who should attend
For local government leaders and practitioners working in digital transformation, innovation, information management, emergency management, infrastructure, customer experience or community engagement, and anyone responsible for AI governance, organisational capability or technology investment.
Attendees from outside local government are also welcome.

2 | Strengthening communities through arts and culture
Sponsored by Creative New Zealand and facilitated by Taranaki Regional Councillor, Bonita Bigham, KSM

How cultural leadership, collaboration and major events can strengthen identity, connection and local wellbeing.

Arts, culture, and creativity are essential community infrastructure supporting wellbeing, strengthening local identity, attracting visitors and talent, and contributing directly to local economic prosperity. As local government takes a more active role in fostering connected, resilient communities, cultural institutions and events offer powerful opportunities to bring people together, express shared values and strengthen a sense of place.

What the session will explore
New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is taking an innovative approach to libraries, museums and galleries by bringing these cultural assets together in a single integrated cultural infrastructure division. Other councils are also working in a more joined up way. 

Tracy Puklowski, NPDC’s Director, Cultural Experiences, will share the thinking behind this model and the opportunities it creates to amplify collective social impact. Drawing on her experience developing a cultural strategy for Launceston, Tasmania, she will connect this practical local case study with Jon Hawkes’ influential framework of culture as the fourth pillar of sustainability—alongside social, environmental and economic considerations.

Emere Wano, former Project Manager for Te Matatini in New Plymouth and now Programme Director at WOMAD, will offer a complementary perspective from the planning and delivery of a major cultural festival. She will share insights from working with four councils over two years, highlighting what effective partnership, cultural leadership and coordinated delivery can achieve for host communities.

Together, these perspectives will examine how councils can move from supporting individual cultural activities to building an integrated cultural ecosystem—one that strengthens local identity, deepens community connection and delivers lasting public value.

What you will take away

• Practical ideas for connecting cultural institutions, strategies and events across local government.
• Lessons on collaboration across councils, cultural organisations and communities.
• A stronger understanding of culture’s role in sustainable public policy and community wellbeing.
• Insights into turning major cultural initiatives into enduring local benefits.

Who should attend
This session will appeal to council leaders and practitioners working across community development, arts and culture, strategy, events, place-making and wellbeing. It will also be valuable for cultural organisations, festival and event leaders, and anyone interested in how stronger partnerships and an integrated approach to cultural investment can create more connected, resilient communities.

3 | Simpifying local government
Facilitated and sponsored by Morrison Low Advisory

As the national reform agenda intersects with local reorganisation, how do councils successfully navigate transition?

In this fireside chat, three local government senior leaders, Alex Parmley, Chief Executive at Waitaki District Council, Monique Davidson, Chief Executive at Horowhenua District Council, and Jason Marris, GM, Strategy and Democracy at, Whangarei District Council 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.

Kindly sponsored by Civic Financial Services

13 Ways to Kill Your Community
What if everything you're doing to help your community is actually holding it back?

In this thought-provoking, entertaining and funny keynote, Doug Griffiths flips conventional thinking on its head. Rather than telling us how to build thriving communities, he reveals the 13 sure-fire ways to kill one.

From ignoring young people and resisting change to blaming everyone else for local challenges, Doug explores the attitudes and behaviours that quietly undermine community success. Through compelling stories, and practical examples drawn from communities across North America, he challenges audiences to recognise these patterns, and replace them with actions that inspire growth, resilience and optimism.

Whether you're an elected member, chief executive, manager or practitioner, this keynote will help you to see your community through a different lens and feel energised about the role you can play in shaping its future.

You'll leave with:

• A fresh perspective on the challenges facing our communities.
• Practical ideas to foster stronger, more resilient places.
• The confidence to take risks and challenge the way it’s always been done.
• Inspiration to become a more effective leader and community champion.

The Lighthouse Leader: Guiding teams through complexity and change
Local government leaders are being asked to do more than ever before: deliver for their communities while navigating reform, financial pressures, workforce challenges and constant organisational change.

Drawing on her Lighthouse Leadership philosophy, Angela Parquist will share a practical framework for leading with confidence when the path ahead isn't always clear. Rather than simply managing change, Angela will explore how leaders can create the conditions for their people to stay connected, focused and motivated, even during periods of uncertainty.

This practical session is designed specifically for leaders working in complex environments like local government where influence, resilience and strong relationships matter just as much as technical expertise.

You'll learn:

• Practical tools to lead your team through ongoing change while maintaining trust and engagement.
• Ways to foster greater ownership and accountability without adding to people's workload.
• Practical approaches to balancing organisational performance with the wellbeing of your people.
• A leadership framework you can apply immediately to support your team, your organisation and ultimately better outcomes for your community.

Dress code: “Nowhere to wear it” - that outfit that’s been sitting in your wardrobe forever, now’s the time to finally wear it!

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.

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 
Sponsored by Insurance Council of New Zealand

How do we secure the long-term infrastructure investments needed to protect our communities from flooding? This session previews the upcoming business case Before the Deluge 3.0 Taking the long view of flood risk resilience in Aotearoa NZ. Bringing together perspectives from across the sector, Graeme and Leigh will discuss the framework required to build a sustainable local-central government partnership. Bring your questions for an open Q&A.
Speakers:
Graeme Campbell, Principal Advisor Flood Risk Management, Te Uru Kahika
Leigh Griffiths, General Manager of Operations, Environment Canterbury

Kindly sponsored by PwC

Economics of being local 
The world is changing rapidly. Global uncertainty, population shifts, changing demographics, housing pressures, infrastructure demands and economic constraints are reshaping the communities councils serve.

So what does it all mean for local government?

In his keynote, Shamubeel Eaqub will unpack the major economic trends influencing New Zealand and explore what they mean for the future of our regions, towns and cities. From growth and productivity to affordability, investment and resilience, he'll connect the dots between global forces and local realities.

Rather than focusing on doom and gloom, Shamubeel will offer a balanced, evidence-based perspective on where opportunities lie, and why local government has a critical role to play in creating thriving, resilient communities.

You'll come away with:

• A clearer understanding of the economic forces shaping New Zealand and your community.
• Insights into the demographic, workforce and productivity trends councils need to prepare for.
• A fresh perspective on the opportunities for regional growth and local prosperity.
• Practical ways to think about investment, resilience and long-term decision-making in an uncertain environment. 

1 | Partnering for the Future
Facilitated by Monique Davidson, Chief Executive, Horowhenua District Council

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 ofvisitors daily.

2 | Building resilient communities: Leading through a changing hazard landscape
Sponsored by Insurance Council of New Zealand and moderated by Abby Matthews from Taranaki Regional Council

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.

The panel brings together a valuable range of perspectives:

• Naomi Whitewood (Recovery Manager, Gisborne District Council): Gisborne's innovative approach to making recovery a regular business function.
• Sarah-Jayne McCurrach (Head of Risk Reduction, Natural Hazards Commission): Improving public access to hazard and risk information to support decision-making.
• Chantez Connor-Kingi (Kai Whiri Iwituna, Northland Regional Council): Supporting community action, including the award-winning hapū-led managed retreat project at Whirinaki.
• Kris Faafoi (Chief Executive, Insurance Council of New Zealand): Keeping insurance accessible and available, minimising the protection gap, and the importance of investment in risk reduction and resilience.

What you will take away
You will come away from this session with practical ideas you can apply across risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery, including:

• A clearer understanding of how councils can embed recovery and resilience into everyday business.
• Examples of how hazard and risk information can strengthen governance, planning, investment and community decision-making.
• Insights into partnering with iwi, hapū, communities, central government and the private sector to deliver locally led solutions.
• Practical lessons from managed retreat, risk reduction and insurance to inform long-term choices and strengthen resilience planning.

Who should attend
Ideal for local government professionals working in resilience, emergency management, planning, infrastructure, climate adaptation, community engagement, governance, risk and long-term investment.

3 | Leading through change
Facilitated by Frances Smorti from Manawatū District Council, and Trudie Hurst from Invercargill City Council

Local government professionals are navigating a period of significant reform, uncertainty and workforce pressure—all while continuing to deliver essential services and maintain confidence within their organisations and communities.

What this session will explore
This participatory session will tap into the collective wisdom and experience of the room. Together, delegates will identify the strengths the sector will draw on, share approaches that are working, explore common traps and develop practical actions across seven critical workforce themes.

The conversation will focus not only on responding to immediate pressures, but also on how we can protect capability, sustain our people and create opportunities through change.

What you will take away
You will:

• Gain practical ideas and approaches from leaders facing similar challenges
• Identify strengths and resources you can draw on within your own organisation
• Explore common workforce risks and opportunities arising from change
• Test your thinking with peers from across the sector
• Build connections with others who can provide insight and support
• Leave with a practical action you can apply in your workplace (and maybe even a few treats!)

Who should attend
This session is designed for senior leaders, and people, culture and capability professionals responsible for guiding their organisations through change.

It will also appeal to leaders working in transformation, organisational development or workforce planning, and to managers supporting teams through reform, restructuring or uncertainty.

Kindly sponsored by TechnologyOne

Belonging, Autonomy, Purpose: Leadership that Delivers
What does exceptional leadership look like when we are under pressure?

Drawing on her experiences leading soldiers in the New Zealand Army, researching leadership at doctoral level, and helping coordinate the evacuation of 563 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, Dr Ellen Joan Ford shares her leadership principles that enable people and organisations to thrive. While Ellen has thrived in tough environments her leadership model emphasises authenticity, empathy and collaboration. 

In this inspiring and highly practical keynote, Ellen will explore how creating belonging, autonomy and purpose builds resilient, high-performing teams, strengthens organisational culture and delivers better outcomes in times of both stability and change.

In a sector facing constant change, increasing complexity and growing demands, this keynote offers practical tools to help leaders build resilient teams that remain engaged, adaptable and focused on delivering for their communities.

You’ll come away with:

• Practical strategies to build trust and psychological safety within your team.
• Tools to create a culture where people feel they belong and can do their best work.
• Leadership techniques that increase ownership, motivation and accountability.
• Practical actions support your people through change.