Kōrero - August 2022
Some snippets from our monthly newsletter which features the latest news and industry insights. To keep up to date with our events and education calendar, head HERE.
INTRODUCING OUR PRESIDENT: Nicole Smith
We're delighted to officially introduce our fantastic new President, Nicole Smith. Nicole has been on the AMINZ Council since 2017 and the Vice-President since 2020. Currently practising as a barrister sole out of Mauao Chambers in Tauranga, Nicole is a specialist in all aspects of arbitration and an experienced dispute resolution lawyer.
She sits as an arbitrator and adjudicator on New Zealand and international disputes and chairs the Investigating Panel of the NZ Registered Architects Board.
Nicole is a passionate advocate for AMINZ and its members, we're thrilled to have her step into the Presidency role and lead the Institute into its next phase of growth.
“Nicole epitomises that spirit of volunteerism with which AMINZ has been so blessed. She puts in countless unseen hours and cares deeply for AMINZ. I look forward to watching her lead AMINZ as its next President,” says Past President Mark Kelly.
IN BRIEF - with Rachael Douglas
(Abridged version)
Tēnā koutou katoa,
It's been a whirlwind month. I'd like to start by saying a big thank you to all who took part in the Awards Dinner last week. It was a wonderful evening of networking and celebration. A special personal thanks to MC Kate Hesson, Past (now, but not at the time) President Mark Kelly for presenting the awards during the night, keynote speaker Dr Simon Foote QC for his wonderful address, and the AMINZ team for their tireless work in putting together such a memorable evening. Of course, none of it would have been possible without Wynn Williams and their generous sponsorship of the evening. Continue reading to see some fantastic images from the night. Read more here.
The AGM went off without a hitch the morning after the Awards where the 2022 AMINZ Council convened for the first time. I have noted in a previous Kōrero but will reiterate again here how excited I am to be working with such a fantastic group of practitioners. In fact, they're some of New Zealand's best. The Institute is in good hands as we move into our next stage of growth. Read more below on who these fantastic individuals are.
While Mark Kelly was hoping to go quietly, I noted at the Awards Dinners that I couldn't allow him to do so without ensuring he knows how much we appreciate his efforts as President the past two years. It’s been a privilege working with him and I would like to personally thank Mark for his support, direction, and the immense amount of energy he has put in to ensuring the Institute thrives.
On the topic of personnel changes, it is also with great pleasure that I introduce you to our newest AMINZ Office Team Member, Andrew Patterson. To ensure AMINZ reaches its goals for ongoing educational excellence, Andrew has taken on the newly created position of Stakeholder and Content Manager. With a background in tertiary education and a passionate dispute resolution advocate, Andrew was the perfect fit to round out the AMINZ team.
And lastly, a big thank you to all our members who I met face-to-face during my trip to Auckland for the Awards.
Thank you for making me feel very welcome in my role as GM - it's been fantastic getting to learn more about you all and the work that you do. If we haven't yet had a chance to connect (either in-person or otherwise) please know that my line is always open.
Ngā mihi,
Rachael
Te Tohu Ngākau Nui: The Big Heart Awards
AMINZ is incredibly lucky to have a membership base filled with passionate and dedicated individuals. The list is long with the names of those who so generously share their expertise, energy and time to ensure AMINZ’s success. The Te Tohu Ngākau Nui: The Big Heart Awards seeks to recognise this. It shines the light on and celebrates a few key individuals who always go the extra mile and, as the name suggests, truly have big hearts when it comes to their dedication and commitment to AMINZ’s success.
At the Awards Dinner, it was our pleasure to present the 2022 Big Heart Awards to four outstanding individuals who have given so much to the Institute and dispute resolution community. Congratulations again to:
Hon Paul Heath QC
Peter Whiteside QC
Nicola Hartfield
Bruce Cottrill
AMINZ OFFICE: Meet Andrew
There's been some exciting changes happening internally in the AMINZ Office recently. We'd like to officially introduce you to Andrew Patterson, our new Stakeholder and Content Manager. Andrew will be taking the lead on identifying and developing our education and professional development calendar, ensuring that the programmes are best-in-class and continue to meet the needs of the dispute resolution sector. He will be working closely with AMINZ members and stakeholders - so you'll likely run into or hear from him in the near future.
If you have ideas or thoughts about what you would like to see in the AMINZ education calendar going forward, feel free to reach out to Andrew on education@aminz.org.nz or on LinkedIn here. Learn more abut Andrew, his background and his vision for this role here.
To assist with the delivery of the AMINZ education calendar, Emma Pitcaithly who was previously managing the AMINZ office administration, has taken on the role as Events Coordinator. If you require any information or registration assistance for an upcoming event, Emma is your go-to. You can touch base with her on coordinator@aminz.org.nz
If you read something (or write something yourself!) that you think may be of interest to other AMINZ members, please send it through to us at office@aminz.org.nz
