2021 Royal Federation Conference & AGM – Day One

The day dawned and Wellington turned on a very ‘still’ day accompanied by thick fog which delayed several members arriving at the conference. Flights were diverted around the country with an Auckland flight that departed earlier in the day being turned back to Auckland and attendees placed on a later flight.  It was certainly an interesting start to the day for some, with air miles and points being accrued left, right and centre.

The official welcome commenced at 12:00 pm with Duane Williams (President, Wellington JP Assn) and Garry Nicholls (President, RFNZJA) providing a warm welcome to all delegates.  Lunch was served at 1:00 pm which was followed by a series of three workshops run concurrently to which attendees, on the whole, found interesting and very worthwhile. Workshop topics were ‘The Learning Space’ – How to engage adults in online learning, ‘Thinking Inclusively’ Understanding and Managing Conscious and Unconscious Bias and ‘Getting to Yes’ Successful negotiation and dispute resolution. These workshops will be repeated tomorrow to allow delegates to attend more than one workshop.

Afternoon tea at 3:00 pm came and went and was followed by two presentations, the first by Rajesh Chhana Deputy Secretary Policy, Ministry of Justice and the second by the Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu.  Both presentations were enlightening with Rajesh providing an insight into the ‘behind the scenes’ at MoJ and Judge Heemi briefing on a new initiative being implemented within The District Courts of New Zealand.

Regional Meetings were then held with 20 Auckland delegates attending and one still in transit due to arrive the next day.  Terry Holding (The Auckland Representative to RF) welcomed the delegates and provided some updates on the following day’s order of business.

The Hon Aupito William Sio MP (Associate Minister of Justice) was invited to officially open the Conference, and then delegates were entertained by a group from Porirua named ‘Pacific Connections’.  The group are about to launch themselves. into the world of barbershop singing and will be performing in Palmerston North in September.  They acquitted themselves with distinction and their performance was met with a standing ovation.

The conference was closed for the day at 6.20 pm and several of your Auckland delegates met in the hotel restaurant for a drink and dinner before turning in to read up on the following day’s activities.