2021 Conference
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![](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/2021_Conference.2e16d0ba.fill-2000x1100.format-webp.webp)
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The 2021 LGNZ annual conference and EXCELLENCE Awards was held in Blenheim from 15-17 July 2021.
The theme for LGNZ Conference 2021 was Reimagining Aotearoa – from the community up. It was about the once in a generation reform programme – three waters, resource management and Future for Local Government – which created both uncertainty but also opportunity and the sector's chance to help shape a new kind of local government to support stronger, more resilient communities.
Approximately 600 delegates attended, such as mayors, chairs, chief executives, councillors and senior management from New Zealand's councils, government representatives and the private sector.
Below is a selection of photos for the main conference sessions.
![Opening ceremony](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-61__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0MD.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Opening ceremony | Mihi Whakatau
![Welcome from Host Mayor](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-176__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Welcome from Host Mayor | He whakatau nā te Mea o te Rohe
John Leggett, Mayor
![Government’s address from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-226__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Government’s address | Tā te Kāwanatanga kōrero
Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
![LGNZ President’s address](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-255__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
LGNZ President’s address | He Kōrero nā te Tumuaki o Ngā Kaunihera Paetata o Aotearoa (LGNZ)
Stuart Crosby, President
![Te Maruata address](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-200__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Te Maruata address | He kōrero nā Te Maruata
Cr Bonita Bigham, Chairperson
![Panel discussion: Better water everywhere?](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-317__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Better water everywhere? | He wai pai ake ki nga wāhi katoa?
Mayor Rachel Reese, Nelson City Council
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Local Government
Hon Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance and Minister for Infrastructure
![The Future for Local Government – Reimagining the future](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-363__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
The future for local government – reimagining the future | Te ingoingo hōu i te anamata
Hamish McDouall, Vice President
Jim Palmer, Chair, Review into the Future for Local Government
Craig Churchill, Ministry of Social Development
Tamzin Letele, Whangamata Community Board
![Creativity as a driver of community making and well-being](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-374__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Creativity as a driver of community making and well-being | Ko te auahatanga te kaikōkiri o te waihanga hapori me te hauora
Caren Rangi ONZM, Arts Council of New Zealand
Rangi Kipa, Artist
Sandra Hazlehurst, Mayor, Hastings District Council
Meg Williams, New Zealand Festival of the Arts
Elisapeta Heta, Senior Associate
![Taking the pulse of local government 2021 – Jonathan Salter and Matt Conway, Simpson Grierson](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-413__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Taking the pulse of local government 2021 | Whakamātau ana i te kakapa o te kāwanatanga ā-rohe 2021
Jonathan Salter and Matt Conway, Simpson Grierson
![Simpson Grierson Welcome Reception](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-535__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Simpson Grierson Welcome Reception | He Mihi Whakatau nā Simpson Grierson
![Vodafone breakfast session](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-703__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Vodafone breakfast session | Mahinga a te ata
Dr Michelle Dickinson
![Chief Executive’s address – Susan Freeman-Greene](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-720__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Chief Executive’s address | He kōrero nā te Kaiwhakahaere
Susan Freeman-Greene, Chief Executive
![Natural capital discussion – the Marlborough story](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-744__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Natural capital – the Marlborough story | Uara māori – tā Te Tauihu o te Waka kōrero
John Leggett, Mayor
Jane Orphan, Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Ben Glover, Winemaker
![Minister of Local Government address](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-788__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Minister of Local Government address | He kōrero nā te Minita o te Kāwanatanga Paetata
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Local Government
![Resilience in the face of natural hazards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-892__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Resilience in the face of natural hazards | Te aumangea hei ngā pānga a ngā matepā māori
Rachel Hyde, Chief Advisor to the CE, National Emergency Management Agency
Dr Lorraine Eade, Operations Manager, Te Tauihu
Stuart Woods, Waka Kotahi NZTA
Raewyn Bleakley, Fire and Emergency NZ
Mike Mendonça, Wellington City Council
![Building towards sustainable supply – panel discussion](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-915__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0M.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Building towards sustainable supply | Anga whakamua ana ki te rawa tautīnei
Shamubeel Eaqub, Partner at Sense Partners
Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Housing
Don Cameron, Ruapehu District Council
Glen Cornelius, Habitat for Humanity New Zealand
Troy Brockbank, Pou Ārahi - Māori Advisory, Pattle Delamore Partners
![Closing keynote session – Jamie Fitzgerald](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1075__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Closing keynote session | Whakakapinga a ngā kōrero matua
Jamie Fitzgerald
![Closing ceremony](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1102__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Closing ceremony | Te whakakapinga
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1275__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1326__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1341__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1363__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1370__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1415__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1440__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ
![Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ Excellence Awards](https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/images/LGNZ21-1465__ResizedImageWzYwMCw0.width-500.format-webp.webp)
Fulton Hogan Conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards | Tā Fulton Hogan Kai a te pō mō te huihuinga, me ngā Tohu KAIRANGI A LGNZ