Upcoming Workshops
Current course information:
Standing Orders Online Course Thursday 3 December 2026
Standing Orders are part and parcel of all formal meetings in local government, whether Council, Committee, Sub Committee or Community Board. Being familiar with Standing Orders and being able to offer advice to elected members in the political meeting environment is a prerequisite for staff who attend and support elected members at meetings.
This workshop will also be of interest to reporting staff and senior staff who support political meetings. Elected members would also benefit from this workshop.
District Licensing Committee and Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Tuesday 1 December 2026 Tasman District Council
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (SSAA) introduced significant responsibilities for local government. This workshop will provide District Licensing Committee (DLC) members, support staff, and inspectors with an overview of the Act and the systems and processes that a committee follows, including the process in which meetings of the committee are undertaken. This workshop includes an explanation of the roles of the various parties, and a description of systems and processes used by staff.
Governance Professionals Annual Symposium
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 January 2027
An opportunity to share experiences, reflect and refresh on good practice that impacts your role as a Governance Professional who has the prime responsibility for interaction with the governance arm of Council.
2027 will be packed full of challenges for the local government sector. A new government will be setting out local government-related policies. All councils will be working through their long-term plans. The impact of recent legislative changes will be taking effect.
The symposium will have a focus on changing times in local government in New Zealand. The sessions will relate to the role of the Democracy Services team in 2027.
New Governance Professionals Symposium
Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 March 2027
Governance Advisors play an integral part in supporting the governance systems, processes, and elected representatives within the local government sector. This role is highly professional, requiring skills and knowledge to support elected members in making good decisions in a framework that complies with legislation and good practice.
This two-day introductory course for people new to the role will provide all the core elements of knowledge that a new Governance Advisor will need to undertake the role in their initial stages of development.