Cultivating Connection: Practical Approaches to Modern Community Engagement

In recent years, community engagement has shifted beyond procedural compliance with statutory consultation. It is emerging as a strategic area of expertise that, when done well, builds public trust and local buy-in. It can foster a more authentic understanding of a project’s social impact across communities.

Join the Wellington branch of the RMLA for an insightful session on community engagement with specialists in this area from Boffa Miskell:

• Dr Anne Cunningham, Engagement Specialist with 30 years of experience in the research, design and delivery of public participation processes and practices in the context of urban and rural planning, landscape architecture and public place/ landscape governance.

• MC for the event will be Pauline Whitney, Senior Principal Planner with over two decades’ experience, both as a policy planner and as a regulatory planner in the area of the Resource Management Act 1991 and its practical application to a wide range of development proposals, planning assessments and policy provisions.

This talk will examine current thinking, grounded in research and practice, on how to cultivate constructive relationships with communities.

It will consider the strategies, tools, and techniques essential for preventing and diffusing disruption, managing misinformation and disinformation, and working with diverse and dissenting perspectives.

Attendees will be invited to reflect on how best to champion meaningful engagement and explore the value of approaches such as values-led messaging, deliberative forums, and social impact assessments.

This seminar is invaluable for anyone working on projects where community support is key to the success of a consenting process.

 Drinks and nibbles will be provided ahead of the seminar at 6pm.

 All welcome. Tickets are limited and are $35 for RMLA members and $45 for non-members.  CPD available: 1 hour.