Themed Workshops
Workshops take place from 1.30pm to 3.00pm Monday 26th July. Capacity may be limited so we recommend you select the workshop you wish to attend on the registration form as well as a second choice in case that workshop is fully subscribed (if you are registering online the system will show you when a workshop is full).
Infrastructure - Future Challenges and Opportunities
Chair: Mayor Kerry Prendergast, National Council
Speakers:
- Michael Deegan, Infrastructure Coordinator, Australian Infrastructure
- Richard Forgan, Director, National Infrastructure Unit
- Stephen Town, Chief Executive, Tauranga City Council
Infrastructure is a vital part of building prosperous places.
Local government is collectively responsible for the management of fixed assets with an aggregate value of approximately $84 billion. Behind the government, we are New Zealand's second largest owner and manager of physical assets in the country. Our existing asset base is also expected to grow significantly with many councils planning substantial capital works programmes over the coming decade.
However, the wider benefits of this investment may not be being fully realised. Infrastructure does not exist in isolation and it affects, and is affected by, all components of the environment it is situated within. Taking a more strategic, holistic approach to infrastructure can leverage our investment to ensure that the value of the networks we are creating is greater than the sum of its parts.
This workshop will consider some of the challenges and opportunities for infrastructure, now and in the future, that will enable us to more confidently invest in the projects that can grow our communities. The Panel will provide context from international, national and local experiences and perspectives.
Kindly sponsored by 
Economic Development - The Local Government/Central Government Nexus
Chair: Peter Tennent, National Council
Speakers:
- Dr Ganesh Nana, Senior Economist, BERL
- Leon Grice, Director, RWC 2011 Office
The Government has set a bold economic growth agenda for New Zealand. It is the responsibility of all sectors to work collectively, and individually to respond to this call.
This workshop will consider the overall contribution of local government towards economic development, and the opportunity Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 provides to showcase New Zealand to the world and promote wider economic growth strategies, and benefits.
Local Government is critical to the delivery of economic development; from investment in infrastructure, through to interventions and partnerships with key stakeholders, to grow New Zealand's economic performance. In 2010 Local Government New Zealand established the Economic Development Committee, and through project work streams has identified local government's contribution towards economic growth is in the areas of:
- Leadership / Partnership / Facilitation
- Infrastructure/ Planning/ Resource Management
- Regulation
- Services
- Business and Industry Development
- Social and Community
Ganesh Nana, Chief Economist, BERL will expand on these areas, and demonstrate local government's contribution through presentation of specific case studies.
Rugby World Cup 2011 provides significant opportunities to bring economic benefits to New Zealand - both during the event and into the future by establishing international relationships.
The New Zealand 2011 Office is co-ordinating a nationwide festival, developing and implementing a hosting programme, and developing a business engagement programme to showcase the best of New Zealand's innovation and creativity. Leon Grice, Director of the New Zealand 2011 Office will outline the work underway across the country on this programme.
Kindly sponsored by 
Local Boards - Are they the Model for the Future?
Chair: Adrienne Staples, National Council
Presenter: Peter McKinlay, McKinlay Douglas Limited
Panellists:
- Barbara McKerrow, Chief Executive, New Plymouth District Council
- Mike Cohen, Chairman of NZ Community Board Executive
- Mayor Jenny Rowan, Kapiti Coast District Council
- David Wilson, Director, Institute of Public Policy, AUT
One of the unique aspects of the new Auckland City Council has been the creation of local boards. The Government has stressed on many occasions that these boards, while intended to improve engagement with citizens, are not community boards. But how different are they and will this new form of neighbourhood governance prove to be the successor to community boards as we know them.
The workshop will provide an overview of the local boards, their role and the manner in which they will relate to the governing body of the Auckland Council. Four panellists have been asked to provide their perspectives on the national implications of this new model and whether or not it might have relevance to other parts of New Zealand,
The panellists represent different parts of the local government.
The workshop is designed to provide participants with an update understanding of the local board provisions and to stimulate debate and discussion on the the question of whether or not this new form of local governance has value to the sector as a whole.
