The New Zealand Coastal Society is the one organisation in New Zealand that brings practitioners of coastal engineering, science, policy makers, NGO’s, local bodies, iwi groups and the public together to consider the threats and opportunities our coastal environment faces.
In the Gisborne-Tairawhiti context, the concept of crossing the water is of particular significance. The three rivers of Gisborne City were centre-point to the landing of Captain Cook in New Zealand and the impact of that landing has resonated through the following years. Those coastal rivers were a meeting place, a place of dialogue between tribes but also a place of blood; such was the impact of Cooks landing. This will be commemorated in Gisborne-Tairawhiti during 2019 and the New Zealand Coastal Society conference is a precursor to those events.
The 2018 New Zealand Coastal Society Conference in Gisborne will draw together that past with the present and the future and it is hoped that the opportunity it provides will lead to a greater understanding of the connection of all people with the land and waters of Tairawhiti.
