More than 70 local government chief executives and their partners, from around New Zealand and Australia, will converge on Whakatāne this week for a two-day conference.

The Local Government Chief Officers Group (LGCOG) of Australia and New Zealand meets three times annually at different locations for professional development, information exchange and networking.

Whakatāne District Council chief executive Marty Grenfell says he is very proud to host his counterparts for the first time.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to showcase the district and its people, to talk about the challenges and successes and share our plans and aspirations for the future,” he says. “For many of the conference guests, this will be their first visit to the Eastern Bay, but once they’ve experienced what the area has to offer, I’m sure it won’t be their last.”

Ngāti Awa will welcome conference-goers to the district with a traditional pohiri and light show at Mataatua Te Mānuka Tutahi on Thursday morning.

During the conference, participants will hear from guest speakers including Sir Wira Gardiner, Chairman of the Local Government Commission; Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua chairman Tamati Kruger and chief executive Kirsti Luke; Jacob Kajavala, the owner of KFL Logging; and Jenni Giblin from the Giblin Group.

Conference-goers will also visit a high-tech dairy farm and local boatbuilding operation, Extreme Boats, and will have the opportunity to visit Whale Island with White Island Tours; and take a heritage hikoi with local tourism company, Nativ ConnectioNZ. 

Conference participants’ partners will enjoy a guided walk along the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway with Walking Legends, and a guided tour of Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi – the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre.