Generating future leaders in recreation industry
A conference designed to support future leaders in the recreation industry kicks off in Queenstown next week, and the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes district councils are getting right behind it.
Organised by the Generate Network, the little sister organisation of Recreation Aotearoa (nzrecreation.org.nz), the event is about creating a connected industry for the people in the parks, sport, recreation, aquatics and cemetery industries.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) staff members will be attending the national two-day conference being held for the first time in Queenstown 1-2 August, with Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) as the lead sponsor for the event.
CODC Parks Officer Maria Burnett is on the Generate Network steering committee and is the conference lead this year. Joining her on the conference committee is Cassandra Horton (Invercargill City Council), Tom O’Neil (XYST), Samantha Strong (Thrive Places and Spaces) and Bailey Henderson (QLDC). There are speakers from as far away as Johannesburg – City Parks and Zoo’s Bishop Ngobeli.
“The Generate Network conference will showcase what opportunities there are in parks and recreation industry in Central Otago/ Queenstown Lakes regions,” Ms Burnett said.
“We hope it will encourage more talent to the area resulting in better outcomes for the public and public spaces, and also retention in the industry, to keep people engaged, and confirm that they’ve made a great career choice that will take them places, especially those who are new to the industry.”
CODC Group Manager Community Experience David Scoones is a speaker and CODC Road Safety Adviser Chris Foggin is the co-MC and will bring in an active transport lens by giving a quick bike skills session before the team takes to the trail at Lake Hayes on a group exercise.
Quoting Mr Scoones’ daily mantra about enjoying what you do for a job: It’s not work if you love it.
“People working in the recreation industry do it because they are truly excited about what they do and have a real passion for pursuing better outcomes, which is part of the conference theme this year.”
Conference goers will hear from Mike Rewi from Mana Tāhuna, a kaupapa Māori Charitable Trust which is partnered with DOC and Friends of Lake Hayes to restore Wai Whakaata – Lake Hayes; also, Jana Davis from Te Tapu o Tāne, an iwi-owned and operated charitable conservation organisation which was recently awarded the contract to deliver an aspirational vision to “recloak” Coronet Forest with native planting.
“Because this conference is targeted at emerging professionals, we have worked hard to make this learning opportunity affordable. This was particularly important this year given the current economy. We’re humbled by the support of the speakers and the community to get this conference off the ground,” Ms Burnett said.
