News
Presidents Update
Posted 26 09 2024
in News
On the 12th of this month, we sadly said goodbye to Lori Keller-Coughtrey, who had been our Operations and Engagement Lead since July last year. Many of you who participate in working groups or branches would have worked with Lori and benefited from her extensive experience. Lori will be embarking on a new career. Although we’re sad to see her go, the Board is excited for her and wishes her all the best. The management team is currently working on finding a replacement for Lori.
The Environmental Legislation Committee Working Group (formally known as RMA working group) has been working with the Department of Conservation (DOC) in pre-engagement discussions on the review of the Coastal Policy Statement. At DOC’s invitation, NZILA (via the working group) was invited to provide a more detailed response to some specific questions (circulated to the membership two weeks ago via direct email). The working group summarised the feedback and drafted a response which has now been forwarded to DOC and is available to read on the NZILA website. The Board once again thanks the Environmental Legislation Committee Working Group for their hard work and valuable expertise.
Our events manager, Trina Edwards, and the creative panel have been shaping up an exciting and topical programme for the next wānanga, which is to be held in Heretaunga Hastings on 22 - 23 May 2025. We’ll be sharing more about this event as the program evolves but be sure to block out these dates in your calendar!
I was incredibly honored to have represented Tuia Pito Ora at the 60th IFLA World Congress in Istanbul earlier this month. The kaupapa was Code Red for Earth! It was a global exchange of knowledge, issues, ideas, and experiences. Ashleigh Hunter from WSP attended the Congress as an invited speaker. Ashleigh shared her korero on Te Ao Māori and how, through an Indigenous lens, we can find pathways for a more resilient future. I presented on the climate change program – Te Kori a te Kō in Akaroa Harbour as an example of mana whenua leading climate action. Both Ashleigh and I were participants in panel discussions, myself on Bridging the Divide: Collaborative Design for a Planet in Crisis and Ashleigh on Weaving Cultural Threads into a Sustainable Tapestry: Cultural Landscapes, Natural Heritage Planetary Rights.
Throughout the three-day event, including the IFLA World Council meeting, which proceeded the Congress, there were many presentations that were incredibly stimulating and insightful. Of note, it was interesting to learn more about the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Cities Unit, and the levels of support they can provide counties, from supporting governments to develop policy, to providing resources for professionals and organisations to increase their capacity in nature-based solutions, down to supporting at project level. The UNEP website contains a wealth of resources; I strongly recommend, if you haven’t already, to visit the site and utilise the resources available.
I’d also like to congratulate James Corner, who received the IFLA 2024 Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award, and Dr. Maria Ignatieva, who received the IFLA 2024 Presidents Award in recognition for her outstanding contribution to the profession and groundbreaking work in urban biodiversity.
Dr. Maria Ignatieva has kindly agreed to participate in a Tuia Pito Ora webinar as part of an upcoming biodiversity series being delivered as part of our Knowledge Growth Strategy.
And lastly, a big shout out to our esteemed IFLA President and Tuia Pito Ora whānau, Dr. Bruno Marques, who gives so much time and energy to the global Landscape Architecture profession. His vision and drive are truly inspirational. The success of the IFLA 60th World Congress is a testament to this.