CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
27 February 2009

2009 Community Boards' Conference

Prime Minister John Key will attend the Celebratory Dinner incorporating the Best Practice Awards, for the Community Board Conference 09 in Christchurch next month.

The Christchurch Convention Centre will be hosting community board members, other local government officials and community workers from around the country from 19 to 21 March to mark 20 years of community board services in New Zealand.

Underpinning the conference will be the looming outcome of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, a decision that could see changes in all regions, says Yvonne Palmer, chair of the New Zealand Community Boards’ Executive Committee.

“It was 12 years ago when we first met in Christchurch for the inaugural Community Boards’ Conference and it is appropriate that we return to Christchurch where we will debate 20 years of Community Boards,” says Ms Palmer, who is a member of the Shirley/Papanui Community Board.

The Prime Minister’s attendance at the Celebratory Dinner will boost the prestige of the Best Practice Awards which is presented to community boards ‘which have made significant contributions to the process of achieving excellence in local government’.

In keeping with their commitment to the community, the Celebratory Dinner will eschew wines in favour of healthy fruit juices, to show that the community leaders are being responsible hosts.

Another highlight to the conference is the Disaster Recovery Dinner on Saturday March 21.

This offers participants an opportunity to talk about the events which have impacted on our communities in recent times, says Helen Shrewsbury of Conference Innovators Ltd, which is organising the conference.

“The terrible events in Victoria, Australia, have highlighted the importance of being prepared for a civil emergency.  Leaders need to know what has to be done to help their community and be aware of the consequences of their actions, or inactions.  You only need to look at New Orleans to see what happens when community leaders are not prepared for a natural disaster,” says Ms Shrewsbury.

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