RMLA Regional News - December 2014
Bay of Plenty - Cushla Loomb
Well, the 2014 year has been an eventful one for the bay of Plenty branch of the RMLA. We have had a number of really thought provoking events held at various member organisations throughout the year and finished the year with a bang this week with a combined RMPL and NZPI end of year social event. Our thanks go to Cooney Less Morgan for hosting what was a fun filled evening of socializing for our members.
We look forward to hosting the RMLAs 23rd annual conference in Tauranga next year. The theme is ‘Matauranga Maori’ and it is shaping up to be a great event with a line-up of high caliber international and national keynotes and some exciting combined workshops/field trips. We look forward to challenging the norm and getting some healthy debates going. In addition, we will of course keep our regular events going to assist us all with our continuing professional development.
I would like to thank the committee for their support this year and a special thanks to Karol for the continuous assistance and guidance.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to all.
Hawke's Bay - Scott Smith
We were very pleased to host an iteration of the Conditions of Consent Roadshow in early November. From our perspective it went very well (absent Air New Zealand disrupting the presenters' departure the following day), and the attendance exceeded our expectations. I hope that those of you that came along enjoyed the afternoon and found it beneficial as well. We are looking forward to more of the like in 2015.
Instead of a Christmas function we are planning an event for early Feb (yet to be confirmed). The plan is wine tasting at, and a tour of, one of the well-known local vineyards, followed by an open invitation to invade their restaurant for dinner. We'll get an email around as soon as the plans firm up. In the meantime, if you have any ideas, suggestions, requests, or gripes please feel free to contact any one of the branch committee: myself, Angela McFlynn, Charlotte Drury, Janeen Kydd-Smith, or Michelle Nicol.
I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Taranaki - Cam Twigley
The Taranaki Branch held their Xmas Party at the Hour Glass at the end of November. The night was well attended and it was a good chance to catch up with RM colleagues. Thanks to the hard working committee of Andrea Te Puni, Lauren O’Byrne, Lauren Wallace and Hamish McHaffie for your efforts in 2014 and a special congratulations to Lauren W on the birth of her second boy Fergus.
The committee wishes all our members a safe and very happy Xmas and New Year.
Wellington - Nicky McIndoe and Maia Wikaira
The Wellington Section of the RMLA wrapped up the year with well-attended festive drinks on 2 December 2014. These were an opportunity for members to reflect on the challenges of the year, and consider what next year will bring. The year ahead is going to be interesting, with possible Wellington local government reorganisation, and likely Resource Management Act reform. There will be plenty of issues for members to debate.
Maia and I would like to thank the Wellington Committee members for their enthusiasm and work over the year, and wish all Wellington section members a Merry Christmas and relaxing summer holiday break.
Nelson/Marlborough - Antoinette Besier
The local branch would like to wish all its members a relaxing holiday break. We are looking forward to 2015 and have ideas about holding more locally run events in Nelson and Blenheim.
Queenstown / Central Otago - Jan Caunter
Here in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago, we have ended the year with some focused Ipad training, to assist us to better understand the Court’s use of Ipads in Court hearings and how we might organise our own internal systems to prepare for this. Rachell Staunton from the Environment Court Registry in Wellington travelled to Queenstown and ran us through the system over about an hour and a half. All attendees found this session really helpful.
Our Christmas function will be held on 11 December, in tandem with NZPI, NZILA and NZIS. We will round off the year in style down by the water at The Boat Shed Café, Frankton Marina, hopefully enjoying some warmer summer weather.
Merry Christmas everyone and have a great summer break.