Leading successful change is the focus of the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers annual conference in Queenstown - something organisers had to deal with themselves at short notice.
Having to cope with the aftermath of Saturday morning's earthquake in Canterbury resulted in about 60 people having to withdraw from the three-day event, which ends today.
Conference manager Paul Walker said representatives from Selwyn, Waimakariri, Kaikoura, Hurunui and Christchurch councils were unable to attend.
Civil engineering firm Downer and local government insurance provider Civic Assurance also turned their attention to helping the devastated region, leaving conference numbers at 260, compared with the originally expected 331.
"Christchurch has affected us a little," Mr Walker said.
However, those chief executives and managers of councils present were still able to hear from conference highlight speaker Steve Donahue, of Canada, about his experience crossing the Sahara Desert, unaided, 20 years ago.
He encouraged the group to follow a compass, not a map, allowing a plan to remain fluid and adaptable.
Debra Lawson also spoke yesterday about her approach to taking over the role of chief executive at Queenstown Lakes District Council, having been chief executive of Wandle Housing Group in Great Britain.
Working to build the trust of not only the council's staff, but also the community, were top priority.
Rather than acting like "the new sheriff in town", she worked to acknowledge the legacy she inherited while signalling change, she said.
Getting in touch with the community through volunteer work, and having "genuine, honest conversations" was also something she recommended to others.
