THURSDAY WORKSHOPS

A RMLA Conference staple: This workshop will provide attendees with an overview of and the opportunity to discuss recent and significant cases involving key environmental and resource management matters.

A practical session for people who want to live and lead at the intersection of high-performance and wellbeing.

Burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s the slow leak of energy, purpose, and joy, often invisible until we’re running on empty. It can creep in quietly, especially when we care deeply, lead others, or operate in high-pressure environments. In this session, we’ll unpack what burnout really is (and what it’s not), how to spot the early warning signs in ourselves and others, and what to do before it takes its toll. This session is ideal for everyone, especially those responsible for people, performance, or wellbeing—starting with your own. You’ll walk away with practical tools that help you feel more grounded, more energised, and better able to support the people who count on you.

With replacement of the RMA underway, MfE is keen to hear practitioners’ perspectives of how the system could work. Situated just after the MfE update on the replacement bill, this workshop will explore some of the building blocks of the new system.

As climate change intensifies, coastal communities face increasing risks from sea-level rise, flooding, and erosion. This workshop explores the critical role that spatial planning can play in effective adaptation - specifically through the lens of planned relocation.

Focusing on New Zealand’s first initiatives, including the planned relocation of Westport and Amberley Beach, the workshop will examine:

• Environmental, social, cultural, and economic drivers behind relocation decisions.
• Spatial planning tools and frameworks that support equitable and resilient transitions.
• Governance models and community engagement strategies that foster trust and long-term success.
• Lessons learned from this “ground shifting” work.

Through case studies, the workshop will demonstrate how place-based strategies can support safer, more sustainable futures for vulnerable communities.

This workshop will take one natural hazard, wildfire, and look to discuss how our changing climate will affect their frequencies and scale and explore options to reduce harm and build resilience for our communities and environment in the future. Recent data from Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa shows Blenheim as having the highest average number of very high or extreme fire danger days per year for 30 sites monitored between 2014 and 2023. What could we expect our wildfire future to look like and how can we respond?