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.
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 Murray Cave, Principal Scientist, Gisborne District Council |
| 11.30 | Making the invisible visible: the nature of sand is to move | Dr Amber Dunn, Prinicpal Scientist, Gisborne District Council |
| 12.00 | Community-led coast care: Musings from the beach | Jennie Harre Hindmarsh, Researcher and Wainui Beach Coastcare Group |
| 12.30pm | Lunch - (60 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
| 13.30 | Coastal Restoration Trust Resources | Tim Park, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 13.40 | Coastal Restoration Trust Projects | Dr David Bergin, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 13.45 | Coastal Restoration Trust video series | Janet Andrews and Simon Hoyle, Southlight Studio |
| 14.05 | The Ūawa Environmental Sustainability Project | Victor Walker, Ūawa Environmental Sustainability Project |
| 14.20 | Regional Roundup - 1st session | Graeme La Cock, Coastal Restoration Trust |
| 15.10 | Afternoon tea - (20 mins) | Reynolds Hall |
15.30 - 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, 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 | Tokomaru Bay field trip (optional ) or travel home |