News

Regional Advisory Group - Nominations for Board Appointment Panel

The new constitution adopted at the 2011 AGM set in motion changes in how the organisation is governed. The result of which is that we will have a new structure for the national Board, and a process for how people are elected or appointed to the Board.

To enable the Board and management to remain connected with NZRA's regional branches around strategic issues, and to provide regional input into the composition of the new Board, the Constitution refers to the establishment of a Regional Advisory Group. At their December 2011 meeting the Board formally established the group. The first duty of the group is to appoint an NZRA member to the Board Appointments Panel. The Group is looking for someone with prior experience in governance and the functions and appointment of Directors, who also has knowledge of, and experience in, the recreation and sport sector.

We strongly encourage you to get involved in shaping the governance of NZRA. Deadline for nominations is 30 April. Download the nomination form here.  
  

Commerce Commission Position Relating to Compliance with NZS 5828:2004 Play Equipment Safety Standard

The Commerce Commission has cautioned children's playground manufacturers and suppliers who say they comply with safety standards that they need to ensure they aren't making false claims. Any false claims would be in breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986.

Following a complaint, the Commission investigated a sample of companies that manufacture or supply playground equipment to see if they were able to support their claims of complying with the NZS 5828:2004 safety standard. Read the full media release >> 

Auckland Sport and Recreation Reference Group's One Voice Newsletter  

Have a look at the ways in which the ASRRG is engaging with Auckland Council in regards to recreation and sport provision - check out their first newsletter One Voice here. (pdf)

Happy Kiwis Means Happy Communities

According to a February 2012 survey released by NZ-based UMR Research, one way to ensure more happiness in your life is to increase your physical activity. While most Kiwis would admit that they feel better when they are more active, NZ Recreation Association (NZRA) takes this premise a step further in stating that physically active people are also healthy people, a fact that in turn has a trickle-down effect on the economy, creating a stronger more vibrant community. Read the rest of the media release >>   

Rotorua's Aquatic Centre Leading the "Lean Wave" With Kaizen

The Kaizen Institute has recently begun supporting Rotorua District Council on their Lean journey. To date, a growing number of the RDC team has attended training, benchmarking tours and improvement focused Kaizen Events, to analyse and improve council processes. Read the newsletter for more details.

Lake Taupo Across the Lake Swim

Are you up to it! Can you make it the 4.2 km to the other side? Don't miss this fantastic event, Saturday 25 February. Download a flyer (pdf) here and distribute or post at your facility or visit http://www.acrossthelakeswim.co.nz/ for more details.

Parks Forum International Staff Exchange Programme

Parks Forum International invites all parks agencies to participate in its annual exchange programme by submitting a registration form online. Staff exchanges are an excellent opportunity for parks agencies and individuals to develop capability. Visit the Parks Forum website for more details.

NZRA Yardstick Visitor Measures - Summer 2011/12 Participation

Do you need to establish or measure your levels of service, report on KPI's or just find out what your users really think? Visitor Measures is an established approach to identify industry results which are benchmarked across the membership annually. This NZRA project is supported by Key Research Ltd and provides an independent means of reporting on the outcomes of the research in an easily understood format which is delivered quickly after project completion. The project compliments the typical community phone surveys that many organisations undertake by focusing on the actual users. If you wish to participate this summer in either the parks or pools/leisure facilities surveys, you need to ACT NOW by contacting Brian Milne - brian@yardstickglobal.org or phone 021 359 041.

Park Rangers, International Ranger Federation

Team needed for delegate sponsorships to Tanzania Congress.
Do you have rangers in your association who want a volunteer experience that can expand their job skills and résumé/CV? The IRF is looking for a small team to coordinate sponsorships for the VII World Ranger Congress being held in Tanzania in November 2012.

We need a diversity of skills so are looking for 3-5 team members. Please share this with your ranger association members and take time to ask one or two candidates to consider this team. Take a look at the linked PDF.  If you (or another member) enjoy doing some of this work, please join our team. Send an email to mailto:IRFmailings@gmail.com with your name, ranger association (if you have one), and contact information (email, telephone, Skype).

We need at least two more volunteers to assist with the sponsorship team. Gordon Miller (UK) and Meg Weesner (USA) are both team members and have a lot of IRF and international experience, so will be able to support any new team members who are less experienced. This is a great opportunity to learn about funding sources and to help your colleagues get to Tanzania.