NZPI Conference to Tackle New Zealand’s Big Planning Issues
Water quality and availability, rapid urbanisation, and the impact of natural hazards and climate change are among the
top three planning issues to be discussed at the New Zealand Planning Institute’s conference Breaking New Ground held in
Tauranga from 21 to 23 March 2018.
Other topics such as agri-food disruption, housing supply, biodiversity offsetting, new technologies and reviewing the
implications of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity are also on the agenda.
Minister Phil Twyford and Minister David Parker will both be participating in the panel discussion to debate key
planning issues held on Friday March 23. Chaired by conference MC, Wallace Chapman, the forum will see both ministers
take the floor with international keynote speaker Erin Barnes and New Zealand Professor Paul Spoonley. Each speaker will
tackle key issues raised during the conference, followed by questions from the floor.
This year’s conference will also tap into the considerable learnings of international speakers who will share their
insights and best-practice approaches to key issues.
“Attendees have the opportunity to interact with presenters and establish relationships that may assist in developing
skills and capabilities, as well as to observe and interact with technology initiatives that address a number of these
key issues,” adds NZPI Chair Bryce Julyan.
Keynote speakers include:
David Dixon – Boston, USA
- International expert in urban planning and design
Erin Barnes – New York, USA
- Founder of ioby.org, an online crowdfunding platform focussed on neighbourhood improvement
Stuart Moseley – Melbourne, Australia
- Chief Executive Officer at the Victorian Planning Authority
Ian Proudfoot
- Leading strategic thinker on agribusiness in New Zealand
Jacinta Ruru
- Co-Director of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga New Zealand’s Centre of Māori Research Excellence
Richie Poulton
- Co-Director of the National Centre for Lifecourse Research, a research centre based in Dunedin
Jamie Fitzgerald
- Motivational speaker and leadership development consultant
Paul Spoonley
- Programme Leader of a research programme on the impacts of immigration and diversity
Held annually since 1964, the NZPI’s 2018 conference will be attended by more than 500 delegates including industry
leaders, iwi, resource management experts, urban designers, scientists, environmental advocates, and local and central
government representatives. -ENDS