Rob Bell Awarded NZCS Life Membership

On Friday 19 February co-Chairs Amy Robinson and Mark Ivamy along with members of the executive committee had the honour of awarding Rob Bell Life Membership of the NZCS.

Rob has been an active member of the society since its earliest beginnings in 1991. Notable is the lead Rob took in collating papers and editing the 10th Australian Conference in Coastal and Ocean Engineering held in Auckland in 1991. The AGM at this conference saw discussion and a motion to establish a New Zealand Coastal Society, which eventually happened in 1992!

Rob has assisted with the organisation of several conferences, edited conference proceedings, presented at numerous regional events and NZCS conferences, and assisted with organising interactive panel discussions and Young Professional Breakfasts.

Rob's work has been extraordinary, with a career that spans almost 40 years within the coastal science, engineering and policy planning fields. Truely championing the area of hazard risks, sea-level rise, climate adaptation and adaptive planning and design.

We congratulate Rob on his Life Member status, where he is in esteemed company with John Duder, John Lumsden, Terry Hume and the late Terry Healy.

The presentation was made in the company of Ruth Bell, members of the NIWA Coastal Group and proud colleagues. A formal presentation will be made at the 2021 Coast and Ports conference in November in Christchurch.