Former Australian PM as keynote speaker

Rt. Hon Paul Keating, former Australian Prime Minister is this year's distinguished keynote speaker at the NZ Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) 2008 Annual Conference. The SOLGM 2008 Annual Conference is on 7-9 September at Paihia, Bay of Islands.

Other international guests and presenters include Presidents of Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE), International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Chief Executive of Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) about local government managerial issues in their own countries.

The conference theme 'Creating Wellbeing in Communities' is highly relevant and timely as local authorities are preparing for the 2009 Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP).

Conference details

Date 7 September - 9 September 2008

Venue Copthorne Hotel and Resort in Paihia, Bay of Islands

Download 2008 SOLGM Annual Conference Programme Brochure (PDF 887 kb)

Registration details

Registration Fees
(received on or after Tuesday, 5 August 2008)

• SOLGM Member - $ 1,200 (does NOT include any accommodation)
• Non SOLGM Member - $1,300.00 (does NOT include any accommodation)

• Day Registration - $500.00 per day - (does not include any accommodation or social function tickets)
• SOLGM Life Member - $700.00 (inclusive of two nights accommodation)

All fees include GST

How to register

Register online at www.solgm2008.co.nz

Download 2008 SOLGM Annual Conference Registration Brochure (PDF 376 kb)

Programme lineup and speakers include:

Promoting Social Wellbeing

• Don Gray and Particia Reade of the Ministry of Social Development will present their views on the role of local authorities in the social field.
• This will be followed by two breakout sessions featuring council case studies on dealing with community violence and creating community partnerships.

Promoting Environmental Wellbeing

• Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, will give an international perspective on environmental wellbeing.
• This will be followed by two breakout sessions featuring council case studies dealing with built-up environment and the natural environment.

Promoting Economic Wellbeing

• Peter Townsend, Chief Executive of Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce, will give his New Zealand perspective on the role of local authorities in promoting economic wellbeing.
• This will be followed by two breakout sessions featuring council case studies looking at metropolitan and rural economic wellbeing.

Promoting Cultural Wellbeing

• Kim Hill, well known broadcaster, will chair a panel discussion of leading commentators in this area.

Other conference sessions will include presentations from:

• Simpson Grierson on legal developments important to local authorities in New Zealand
• Civic Assurance
• Representatives from international organisations on critical issues affecting local government in the USA, Australia and the UK.