Future Focus for Local Government New Zealand annual conference

The future is the focus of the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) annual conference at the Wellington Convention Centre 11-12 July.

Entrepreneur and sustainability advocate Melissa Clark-Reynolds will discuss peak oil, green growth and building economically viable and sustainable businesses from the bottom of the world.

Clark-Reynolds is one of only a few people worldwide to have trained with Al Gore to present the slideshow at the core of the film An Inconvenient Truth and she will be presenting this to the conference following her keynote address.

Harry Verhaar, head of sustainability initiatives at Philips Lighting, will also discuss the challenges of increasing urbanisation throughout the world and how sustainable initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting are transforming cities internationally.

Conference 2011 will also address spatial planning and what cities need to consider for growth, digital strategies and the ultra-fast broadband project.

Prime Minister John Key is opening the conference while Local Government Minister Rodney Hide will also speak.

LGNZ President Lawrence Yule says local government plays a vital role in planning for the future for communities throughout New Zealand.

“Whether it’s about technology or transport or trees, councils have to look ahead and prepare themselves and their residents for the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Yule.

For the conference program, visit www.lgnz.co.nz.