How would you like to hear from internationally recognised asset management experts, all while seeing the sights of beautiful New Zealand?
Here's your chance: every two years IPWEA arranges an asset management study tour to New Zealand, coinciding with their NAMS Advanced Asset Management Forum.
The 2016 tour is fast approaching and will include the forum on 'Returning to the Top', together with visits to councils and agencies in and around Wellington and Christchurch.
This is your chance to hear from internationally recognised asset management experts on their home turf. Conducted in the week starting November 6, it is a beautiful time of the year to visit NZ.
The tour will again be led by Peter Way PSM, Chair of the IPWEA NAMS Australia. With his many contacts in NZ, Way has again put together a great program for the week.
The tour start with the forum in Wellington and visits to various agencies there, before flying down to Christchurch to learn about their challenges in rebuilding their infrastructure following the devastation of the earthquakes in 2010/11.
Glowing feedback from previous attendees
Take a look at some highlights from the IPWEA’s 2014 Asset Management Study Tour, involving 10 keen asset management delegates, which will provide some insights into why these study tours are so popular and are such good value.
The 2014 tour began also at the NAMS NZ Advanced Asset Management Forum in Auckland followed by meetings with the Auditor Generals Office, and Auckland Council and District Councils around the Auckland region. Issues like the 30 year AM Planning horizon, community consultation on levels of service and the positive culture displayed in many Councils, impressed the Group.
Whitehorse City Council’s Asset Management Strategy Coordinator David Braby was keen to learn more about the development of the new 30-year Infrastructure Strategy and was glad to find that Auckland wasn’t neglecting the basics in its quest to become the world’s most liveable city.
“I’m really pleased that they haven’t lost sight of the foundations of good asset management,” said Braby. “Each site we visited they talked about the need for good quality information. Without it, you really can’t expect to make good quality decisions.”
Moree Plains Shire Council’s Asset Manager Kylie Kerr particularly enjoyed the visit to Matamata-Piako District Council where the culture is to encourage all levels of the council to get involved in a project and feed back their on-the-ground experience and knowledge.
“What I liked there was how well they had buy in from their field staff, people who were operating their sewerage treatment plants, their water treatment plants and how much they got involved,” she said.
According to fellow delegate Troy Anderson, Director Works and Civil at Clarence Valley Council, Matamata-Piako District Council’s culture was “all about the accountability being at the right level in the organisation to make the process work”.
All agreed that they would recommend the trip to others, agreeing that the networking with delegates and their hosts alike, was an incredibly valuable part of the trip.
“It was one of the highlights of my professional career,” said Anderson. “You can’t match the learning experience.”
Something for the punters
For those delegates with a horse racing bent, the week of 8-12 November is the racing carnival in Christchurch. There is an anniversary public holiday on Friday, November 11. There is harness racing on that day, and the NZ galloping cup is held on Saturday, November 12. You may want to arrange your own sightseeing to see more of NZ either side of the tour.
Now is the time to secure your spot on the 2016 Study Tour. At a cost of just $3800 (plus GST) per delegate which covers accommodation, meals, the forum and flight from Wellington to Christchurch, you receive great value.
Delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs to Wellington and home again from Christchurch. The tour commences with a welcome dinner and briefing on the Sunday night and concludes with a farewell dinner on the Thursday night. Accomodation Sunday night through Thursday night is included. Partners are also welcome.
Click here for more information on the tour, or here for more on the forum.