SOUND FUTURES | HE RARANGA KŌRERO CONFERENCE 2025 – IT’S A WRAP!

On behalf of the convenors, it’s my pleasure to reflect and report on what was an incredible few days in Wairau Blenheim last week.

It’s been a privilege to host the 2025 RMLA Conference in beautiful Wairau / Blenheim – a region steeped in history, rich in natural beauty, and home to some of Aotearoa’s most iconic landscapes. Over three days, more than 380 delegates gathered to explore the theme “Sound Futures/He Raranga Kōrero”, challenging us all to consider how we can collectively shape resilient, integrated, and equitable outcomes for our environment and communities. Not an easy task in this period of rapid change and uncertainty, but I take heart in the conversations that I have been involved in that we have many talented, dedicated and bright people that will help us all navigate the new system.

Throughout the conference, we explored what Sound Futures/He Raranga Kōrero could look like for marine management and freshwater, how we can adapt and become more resilient to our changing climate, and what future spatial planning could look it. Our workshops delved into active adaptation responses for Westport, how indigenous fire planning can assist with wildfire mitigation and Dr Bex Bell’s session on burnout reminded us that sustainable futures also requires sustainable people.

Highlights

To pick highlights is truly challenging, our range of distinguished speakers, panellists and workshop leaders all brought their perspectives, shared their knowledge and passions and inspired us to have challenging conversations.

We began by being grounded at place with Dr Pete Meihana’s 800-year history of Marlborough, while Rawiri Faulker challenged us on how we will measure our success when it comes to RM Reform through the love story of River and Charlie. His well-deserved standing ovation aside he warned us to “Be careful what you wish for!”.

Equally thought provoking was Professor Elizabeth Fisher’s keynote presentation reminding us that resource management law is complex and challenging, and we must be on guard for magic wands, flight tickets to utopia and seemingly global solutions. Instead, our focus should be on doing a bundle of law jobs well. We also had the opportunity to hear directly from Janette Campbell, who led the Expert Advisory Group developing the blueprint on the new resource management reform and how this reform is fundamentally different.

Environment Court Judge Hassan’s “thought from the Court” was a timely personal reflection of the fundamental importance of ensuring equitable access to the judiciary through the Reform and Wynn Williams delivered the ever-popular case law update with the ingenuity we have come to expect.

In addition, we were honoured to host the Honourable Chris Bishop MP, Under Secretary Simon Court MP and Rachel Brooking MP, whose discussions on Phase 3 of RMA reform was eagerly anticipated. While the loss of summer holidays might not be favoured, the announcement that the two Bills are being targeted for release in November was welcomed.

Our fieldshops took delegates from the Marlborough Sounds to the saltworks of Lake Grassmere, from aviation heritage to viticulture innovation. Whether cycling in the Marlborough Sounds, exploring Kaipupu Point Sanctuary or tasting the region’s finest wines, these experiences brought our theme to life in tangible, memorable ways.

The Taste of Marlborough and the Conference Dinner at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre were highlights – a chance to connect, reflect, and celebrate outstanding contributions to the profession in memorable surroundings.

Our Gratitude

Many have contributed to the success of Sound Futures/He Raranga Kōrero, without you all the conference would not have been possible, our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.

To our sponsors – your support and investment enables the delivery of a high calibre conference for the benefit of our members. Without you this event would not be possible, our sincere gratitude.

Te Tau Ihu Iwi, ngā mihi nui. Our deep thanks for your involvement in the pre-conference hui, and to Rangitāne o Wairau for your generosity in hosting the hui at Ūkaipō – the Rangitāne Cultural Centre.

Rangitāne o Wairau and Ngāti Rarua thank you for the mihi whakatau which welcomed us so beautifully to the Wairau whenua and grounded the conference at place. Dr Peter Meihana thank you for both your insightful history of Marlborough and the fascinating fieldshop bringing cultural history to life. Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui, Alan Riwaka and whānau, the fresh kaimoana was a highlight that will be remembered and talked of into the future, thank you.

To our MC, Jesse Mulligan, yet again you have enhanced the RMLA conference experience. We thank you for your energy and professionalism, your ability to bring humour combined with thought provoking questions  is evidence of your dedication to understanding the topics and ensuring all participants have the time and space to provide their views.

To our speakers, panellists, and workshop leaders – thank you for your insight, generosity, and challenge. We had hoped this conference would be thought provoking and you sure delivered.

To the RMLA Conference Organising Committee (Quentin Davies, Kim Lawson, Clementine Rankin, Pere Hawes, Samantha Young, Evie Rainey, Dr Pete Meihana) - what a team, thank you for all your hard work and the many hours we have spent planning, coordinating and pivoting! This conference would not have made it without all your time and effort.

To the Conference Innovators Team (Rachel Cook, Georgia Watson, Leanne Sherwood, Te Awa Forrest and Te Oranoa Wawatai) – we are in awe of your sustained organisational skills. You are all truly amazing and we thank you for your guidance over the last year, your never wavering calm and control that have kept everything running smoothly and your care for all our delegates was boundless.

And to our attendees – your energy, curiosity, and commitment to get involved have made this conference truly memorable.

In closing….

As we close the chapter on this year’s conference, we do so with renewed purpose. The conversations we’ve had here in Marlborough will ripple outward – into our work, our communities, and our collective future. As a profession we can ensure that we achieve Sound Futures, traversing the Reforms together. Reflecting on both Professor Elizabeth Fisher’s and Rawiri Faulkner’s words….doing our jobs well, exercising legal imagination, taking legal calculability and valuing the skills we all have as professional and applying them to the task of understanding and responding to resource management issues, and aspiring to the ongoing management of environmental quality.

If you’d like to re-watch any sessions or if you missed a session that you’d like to see, Conference delegates will receive an email with details on how to view our conference session recordings. These are available until mid-December (at which point they will be available to RMLA members on RMLA’s website).  That email also asks for feedback, and we would welcome hearing from you so that we can continue to meet and exceed delegate expectations.

Finally, please save the date!  Next year’s conference is taking place in the beautiful Bay of Islands from 11th to 12th September 2026.

Until next year – kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui, (be strong, be brave, be steadfast)
Sarah Pearson, Conference Co-convenor