What’s happening to our coastline?

What’s happening to our coastline?

Ask the New Zealand Coastal Society! The organisation that is keen to promote understanding of the coastal zone is holding their national conference in Hokitika. Fairly pertinent really, since recent relentless sea and wave action is seeing urgent action being taken by local councils to secure the town’s main street into the future.

Constant change is a recurring theme around the country’s coasts, so the conference is themed The Coast: Rough Around the Edges. Eight out of ten New Zealanders live and work within 20 kilometres of the sea and we’re keenly eyeing the changes that are forced on our islands. Expert conversations about coastal environment issues and how communities can help to decide their own future will be key. Another major theme of the conference is about how we balance long term planning with short term hazard management.

“We will be having exciting discussion with coastal planners, scientists, consultants and other professionals who will reveal new ideas for hot topics such as how does the community engage with current coastal management issues. This subject is close to so many New Zealanders, it’s a vital conversation to engage in,” said Don Neale, conference chair. “This is a great opportunity for all of us, who live on and love our coast, to learn more about it.”

“What’s more, the conference is straight after the whitebait season, so it’ll be the perfect chance to taste the West Coast, literally!” An assortment of New Zealand’s top academics and coastal managers will present and discuss new thinking around coastal science, hazards and conservation at this year’s conference.

Paul Komar is joining us from Oregon State University, where he is emeritus Professor of Oceanography with more than 40 years of a celebrated career to draw from, and a great speaker. Other guest speakers include eCoast’s director and tsunami expert Jose Borrero, and the Society’s 2013 ‘Coastal Champion’ Bill Southward from Rakaia.

Join the discussion in Hokitika, 19 – 22 November for more about living in the land that is Rough Around the Edges.

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