Join LIANZA for an online panel to discuss how libraries can and do contribute to the future of local governance. Compered by Jehan Casinader, panelists will discuss how libraries will become the cornerstone for local government - strengthening community well-being and relationships, providing access to local and global information, and supporting (digital) literacy and life-long learning.
This online hui is open to anyone in local government and regional councils, libraries, local boards, and library users. You’ll want to be part of this important discussion which will feed into the future of local government review.
Monday June 27 at 3-4pm
Register here
This online hui is open to anyone in local government and regional councils, libraries, local boards, and library users. You’ll want to be part of this important discussion which will feed into the future of local government review.
Monday June 27 at 3-4pm
Register here
COMPERE:
Jehan Casinader is a journalist, speaker, and mental health advocate. He was named “Broadcast Reporter of the Year” at the Voyager Media Awards, and “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards.
In the aftermath of natural disasters, terror attacks, sporting triumphs, and everything in between, Jehan has helped hundreds of Kiwis to share their vulnerable and deeply personal stories with the rest of the country. Now, he works with organisations to promote wellbeing, leadership and diversity – through the power of personal storytelling. He is the author of This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life (HarperCollins
Jehan Casinader is a journalist, speaker, and mental health advocate. He was named “Broadcast Reporter of the Year” at the Voyager Media Awards, and “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards.
In the aftermath of natural disasters, terror attacks, sporting triumphs, and everything in between, Jehan has helped hundreds of Kiwis to share their vulnerable and deeply personal stories with the rest of the country. Now, he works with organisations to promote wellbeing, leadership and diversity – through the power of personal storytelling. He is the author of This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life (HarperCollins
PANELLISTS:
Alex Walker has been Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay since 2016 when elections delivered a strong mandate for change and new energy for the future. Taking a patient approach to re-building the council business, from the community up, has meant strong governance, community engagement, clear strategic direction and high-quality executive leadership is really starting to take effect. Mayor Alex and her team have prioritised infrastructure investment and are taking particular pride in resolving long-term resilience and environmental issues with wastewater treatment. But an important part of the transformation has been the establishment and strengthening of the Central Hawke’s Bay “network of networks” approach to community action, enablement, and wellbeing. With this in mind, their library spaces have become access points for a wide array of wellbeing initiatives.
Alex Walker has been Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay since 2016 when elections delivered a strong mandate for change and new energy for the future. Taking a patient approach to re-building the council business, from the community up, has meant strong governance, community engagement, clear strategic direction and high-quality executive leadership is really starting to take effect. Mayor Alex and her team have prioritised infrastructure investment and are taking particular pride in resolving long-term resilience and environmental issues with wastewater treatment. But an important part of the transformation has been the establishment and strengthening of the Central Hawke’s Bay “network of networks” approach to community action, enablement, and wellbeing. With this in mind, their library spaces have become access points for a wide array of wellbeing initiatives.
Laurinda Thomas is the Manager, Libraries and Community Spaces Manager at Wellington City Council. Laurinda has worked across the libraries and information field for more than 20 years, holding positions across both the private and public sector. She is a former President of LIANZA and lifelong advocate for the transformative power of libraries, speaking at TEDxWellington in 2016. Laurinda also sits on multiple boards, focused on literacy, leadership, and digital inclusion.
Laurinda Thomas is the Manager, Libraries and Community Spaces Manager at Wellington City Council. Laurinda has worked across the libraries and information field for more than 20 years, holding positions across both the private and public sector. She is a former President of LIANZA and lifelong advocate for the transformative power of libraries, speaking at TEDxWellington in 2016. Laurinda also sits on multiple boards, focused on literacy, leadership, and digital inclusion.
Mirla Edmundson is an experienced and passionate local government leader who believes in the importance of building leadership and strong teams in the service of all Aucklanders. Since moving from Christchurch to Auckland with her family in 2004, she shifted from the tertiary education sector to local government starting off as part of Manukau City Council before shifting to the supercity of Tāmaki Makaurau in 2010 as part of the amalgamated Auckland Libraries management team. During this time, Mirla led major repositioning of the workforce and service focus to meet the changing needs of an increasingly diverse and growing city.
Wendy Walker has been Chief Executive of Porirua City Council since 2015 and has guided the city through the challenges of growth, aging infrastructure, climate change, responding to Covid-19 and major local government reform.
Ms Walker is of Ngāti Mutunga O Wharekauri descent and at the time of her initial appointment in 2015 was the first Māori wahine to become a local government chief executive of a city council.
She has more than a quarter of a century’s experience in local government, including 18 years at Wellington City Council.
Ms Walker is of Ngāti Mutunga O Wharekauri descent and at the time of her initial appointment in 2015 was the first Māori wahine to become a local government chief executive of a city council.
She has more than a quarter of a century’s experience in local government, including 18 years at Wellington City Council.
Ko Maungatautari te maunga
Ko Tanui te waka
Ko Topehaehae te awa
Ko Ngāti Hauā te iwi
Ko Werewere te hapu
Ko Laurel-Jean Dennison ahau
Laurel-Jean Dennison’s whakapapa links back to Waikato-Tainui, however, she was born and raised in Naenae - Te Awakairangi ki tai. She graduated from Massey University in 2017 and has since then, worked for the Hutt City Council in different roles within the community. Her current role is Library Diversity & Workforce Development Advisor which was established through the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme. Through this mahi Laurel-Jean is working towards ensuring library spaces, content, programmes, and events are consistently designed, delivered, and evaluated in a way that is inclusive and honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ko Tanui te waka
Ko Topehaehae te awa
Ko Ngāti Hauā te iwi
Ko Werewere te hapu
Ko Laurel-Jean Dennison ahau
Laurel-Jean Dennison’s whakapapa links back to Waikato-Tainui, however, she was born and raised in Naenae - Te Awakairangi ki tai. She graduated from Massey University in 2017 and has since then, worked for the Hutt City Council in different roles within the community. Her current role is Library Diversity & Workforce Development Advisor which was established through the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme. Through this mahi Laurel-Jean is working towards ensuring library spaces, content, programmes, and events are consistently designed, delivered, and evaluated in a way that is inclusive and honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Gael Surgenor’s career has been in local and central government as well as the community and social enterprise sectors. She has a reputation for being innovative inside big bureaucracies and bringing an entrepreneurial spirit to the public service. Until late 2021 she led the Community and Social Innovation Team at Auckland Council which are grappling with some of the most complex social and economic challenges in South and West Auckland. Currently, Gael is a panel member on the Ministerial Review of the Future for Local Government in New Zealand.
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