Penny Hulse | MNZM | Former Deputy Mayor of Auckland | Local Government Specialist

Currently serving on the board of Kāinga Ora and the independent panel reviewing the Future for Local Government (FfLG), Penny knows Local Government, how it works and when it doesn’t.

https://www.futureforlocalgovernment.govt.nz/

Daniel Lewis | General Manager, Digital Operations Casey Cardinia Libraries, Victoria, Australia

Explore the challenges faced by libraries in globally connected communities - including the disconnection of services, declining funding, and the impact on access to information and resources. Discuss ways libraries can work to mitigate these negative effects and continue to provide valuable services to their communities. This speaks directly to the Future for Local Government Reform, Treaty obligations, and Connected Communities and Wellbeings. Casey Cardinia Libraries is one of Victoria’s largest public library services. Funded principally by the City of Casey, Cardinia Shire Council and the Victorian State Government, the libraries support a rapidly growing and diverse community approaching half a million people.

Echo Janman | Manager Community Hub Central Auckland at Auckland Council

An advocate for innovation and thought leadership, Echo has worked with and for communities for the best part of 20 years. Having moved to Aotearoa following her passion and curiosity for the arts in Polynesia, she believes in the power of creativity to change lives. Her work at Auckland Council allows her usher in digital solutions for online community connection, establishing communities of practice and advocating for new ways of working that priorities relationship and partnership.

Kate Hannah | Director and Founder, the Disinformation Project | Principal Investigator Te Pūnaha Matatini

https://thedisinfoproject.org/about-us/

Shaneel Lal | (They/Them),Co-founder of the Conversion Therapy Action Group.

Shaneel Lal is a 23 year old Fijian-New Zealand LGBT rights activist. Born in Fiji, they migrated to New Zealand at the age of 14. They are of iTaukei and Girmitiya descent. Shaneel is passionate about liberating people who live within the intersections of being BIPOC and queer and has been at the forefront of leading the campaign for a ban on conversion therapy.

Harley Kaihe-Katterns| Cultural Advisor

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Whakarongorua te Maunga
Ko Utakura te Awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te Waka
Ko Ngāpuhi te Iwi
Ko Ngāti Toro te Hapū
Ko Mataitaua me Mokonui-a-Rangi te Marae
Ko Harley Kaihe-Katterns tōku ingoa.

My journey with libraries began back in 2019 when I was the Māori and Heritage Coordinator for Kāpiti Coast District Libraries. This is where I also began to work alongside PLNZ to tautoko kaupapa Māori related mahi. Currently, I work for Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu (South Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency) as the Relationship and Engagement Manager working with and supporting our 62 Partners and 123 Navigators throughout Te Waipounamu. I am delighted to return for the 2022 National Forum with Tangimeriana Rua to welcome you all.