Please note the programme is subject to change in the event of illness or weather events. See our speaker tab for details about each speaker and their abstract for their presentation or workshop.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 - free pre-conference workshop 4 to 6pm Reynolds Hall, Ūawa.
Nature-based solutions for coastal communities - workshop with Jim Dahm, Coastal Scientist, Eco Nomos Ltd
This workshop will focus on east coast North Island beaches – including the key natural coastal processes at work and the key role of nature-based approaches and coastal restoration in protecting these beaches and coastal communities.
Day 1: Wednesday 12 March 2025
| Time | Topic | Speaker/Facilitator |
|---|---|---|
| 08.30 | Pōwhiri at Hauiti marae folowed by light refreshments | Kaumatua, Hauiti marae |
| 09.10 | Move to Reynolds Hall, registration opens | |
| 09.40 | Welcome to Ūawa | Dr Wayne Ngata, Hauiti marae |
| 09.50 | Welcome to the conference | Laura Shaft Chair, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 10.20 | Conference video | Janet Andrews and Simon Hoyle, Southlight Studio |
| 10.30 | Morning tea - (20 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
| 11.00 | Key note speaker The erosional impact of the 2017-present stormy cycle on the coastal environment of Gisborne/Tairawhiti | Dr Murry Cave, Principal Scientist, Gisborne District Council |
| 11.30 | Making the invisible visible: the nature of sand is to move | Dr Amber Dunn, Environment and Science Manager, Gisborne District Council |
| 12.00 | The Ūawa Environmental Sustainability Project | Victor Walker, Ūawa Environmental Sustainability Project |
| 12.20pm | Lunch - (60 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
| 13.20 | Coastal Restoration Trust Resources | Tim Park, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 13.30 | Coastal Restoration Trust Projects | Dr David Bergin, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 13.35 | Coastal Restoration Trust video series | Janet Andrews and Simon Hoyle, Southlight Studio |
| 13.55 | Community led coast care: Musings from the beach | Jennie Harre Hindmarsh, Researcher and Wainui Coastcare Group |
| 14.30 | Regional Roundup - 1st session | Graeme La Cock, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 15.30 | Afternoon tea - (20 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
15.50 - 17.00 | Field trip to Kaitawa estuary and wharf dunes | Alison Waru, Coastal Restoration Trust Oriana Rojas, Gisborne District Council |
Day 2: Thursday 13 March 2025
| Time | Topic | Speaker/Facilitator |
|---|---|---|
08.30 | Mātaiao: Observations, reflections and predictions of a changing world | Dr Wayne Ngata, MNZM |
| 09.00 | Reforming dunes | Jim Dahm, Coastal Scientist, Eco Nomos Ltd |
| 09.30 | Estuarine sedimentation, the challenges and opportunities of sea level rise | Dr Phoebe Stewart-Sinclair, Marine Ecologist and economist, NIWA |
| 10.00am | Morning tea - (20 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
| 10.20 | Mana taiao Tairāwhiti: Key elements and lessons learnt from community activism for change to protect the environment | Manu Caddie, Adjunct Research Fellow, University of Waikato |
| 10.50 | Special plants of the coastal environment around East Cape | Graeme Atkins, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 11.20 | Regional roundup - second session | Alison Waru, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 12.20 | Travel to Anaura Bay | |
| 12.45 | Pōwhiri at Hinetamatea marae, Anaura Bay | |
| 13.00 | Lunch - (60 mins) | Anaura Bay |
| 14.00 | Field trip at Anaura Bay including afternoon tea | |
| 17.00 | Day finishes | |
19.00 - 22.00 | Conference dinner and awards Kapa haka |
Day 3: Friday 14 March 2024
| Time | Topic | Speaker/Facilitator |
|---|---|---|
| 08.30 - 10.30 | First workshop choice: Waka on the Uawanui-a-Ruamatua river – (max 45 people) | Dr Wayne Ngata, Hauiti marae |
or | Weed species control for Tairāwhiti Dune Restoration Projects | Glenn Brown and Don McLean, Gisborne District Council |
or | Raranga workshop | Ūawa weavers |
or | Identifying lizards: skinks and geckos at the beach. | Moniqua Nelson-Tunley, Waikato Regional Council |
| 10.30 | Morning tea (20 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
| 10.50 | Second workshop choice: Monitoring coastal restoration | Laura Shaft, Coastal Restoration Trust |
or | Producing sand dune plants | Jo Bonner, Coastlands Plant Nursery |
or | The basics of katipō conservation | Arnim Littek, Foxton Beach |
or | iNaturalist - how to use this global biodiversity recording database | Tim Park, Coastal Restoration Trust |
12.50 | Closing addresses | Laura Shaft |
| 13.00 | Lunch | Reynolds Hall |
| 13.30 | Travel home or drive north for those on the post confernce trip |