Over 600 delegates expected to attend NZPI’s ‘Weaving Strands’ conference

These and other hot topics such as future food security, driverless cars and Maori involvement in freshwater planning are up for discussion at NZPI’s annual conference in Napier this week (2 -5 April).

Urban growth, climate change and water quality are some of the biggest issues facing our planners in 2019, according to the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI).

These and other hot topics such as future food security, driverless cars and Maori involvement in freshwater planning are up for discussion at NZPI's annual conference in Napier this week (2 -5 April).

Speakers include former US State Legislator Sue Minter. Sue will talk about planning in an unstable world, drawing on her experience as a planner in post-apartheid South Africa, state transportation leader, disaster recovery chief and political candidate in the US.

Environment Minister David Parker, Maori Development and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, Waikato University Demography Professor Tahu Kukutai, renowned designer and sustainability champion David Trubridge, and Director General of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Kosi Latu are other notable speakers.

NZPI chair Karyn Sinclair says planners are in the spotlight in high-growth cities, as they work to avoid urban "poverty traps" and overcome infrastructure challenges.

"Urban planning challenges we face every day include stormwater damage of waterways, providing adequate housing and infrastructure, such as schools, amenities and transport," says Karyn.

"There's also the challenge of finding ways to regenerate declining suburbs.

"We're planning for future cities where the top of mind considerations include big data, robots, drones, autonomous vehicles and 3D-printing. We need to think carefully about how people, government and business can function together in a highly interconnected environment."

In the rural sector, Karyn says the planning industry's focus is on the current challenge of maintaining productive primary industries with an increasing awareness of their potential effects, including water quality.

"Our aim is to ensure a long-term sustainable rural sector."

More than 600 delegates are expected to attend NZPI's 'Weaving the Strands' conference – including industry leaders, iwi, resource managers, urban designers, scientists, environmental advocates and local and central government.