About
Let’s be honest: local government has had a bit going on lately. Reform, reviews, funding pressures, rates, three-year plans, spatial plans, long-term plans… and the occasional suggestion that perhaps councils should simply stop existing.
So, naturally, we’re getting everyone together in Tauranga to talk about it. Talk It Up 2027 is where the people who ACTUALLY know local government come together to share ideas, swap stories, learn from each other and ask the really important questions like “who approved this?” and “is this going to be in the LTP?”
Because if local government is ending as we've known it for the past 38 years, we might as well face it together! Preferably somewhere with decent coffee, plenty of laughs and a room full of people who understand why “just put it on social media” is not, in fact, a communications strategy.
Come for the speakers, the ideas and the networking. Stay because you’ve realised everyone else is just as confused as you are. Whatever happens next, be it reform, amalgamation, de-amalgamation, another review, another consultation, or the complete collapse of civilisation as we know it, let’s Talk it Up before they restructure us again!
When
Lock in Thursday 6 May - Friday 7 May 2027
Where
Historic Village, Tauranga
Cost
$300 early bird for both days
Early bird closes 31 December, 2026
Registrations
Talk It Up is not another conference.
This is an Unconference.
Think peer-to-peer learning at its best, in an exciting, dynamic and inspiring environment.
Who is Talk It Up for?
Anyone who wants to improve how government or your business engages with communities.
If you work in:
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Communications
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Community Engagement
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Policy
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Community Strategy
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Project Management
TIU’s for you!
How do we do it?
Unlike other conferences, there is no set programme at Talk It Up.
It will be two days of high energy learning, including time spent in dedicated workshops (topics and facilitators to be announced).
The agenda is set by the attendees on the day – instead of having speakers on pre-organised topics, the attendees pitch session topics that they want to discuss.
Everyone then chooses the sessions they want to attend and are actively involved in the topics and discussion.
It’s not about fancy slides - there are none - it’s about genuine connections and knowledge exchange.
Right now we have no idea what will be covered at our next event – except that we know it will be dynamic and inspiring.
People who attended TIU have described it as the best "un"conferences they’ve ever been to - an invaluable experience.
Tickets will be limited and will be available soon. Keep an eye out so you can register your spot.
Meanwhile, join Talk it Up on Facebook or Linkedin as momentum builds for the big day.
Day One Agenda TBD
Day 1 will include workshops, and something else awesome we have in the pipeline.
Now that tickets are on sale, we're excited to announce our workshop facilitators are...
Carly Shorter
Workshop: Effective Communication
Every conversation builds trust or breaks it.
We communicate all day, every day. But how often do we stop to consider whether our communication is actually having the impact we intend?
In local government, effective communication is essential to building relationships, navigating different perspectives and achieving better outcomes for our teams and communities.
In this energetic, highly interactive 2.5-hour workshop, Carly Shorter from Communicate Powerfully invites you to consider one powerful question: What's it like to be on the receiving end of you?
Through practical activities, including Below the Surface, you'll explore what makes communication effective, the influence of your mindset, the power of listening and how different communication styles shape our interactions.
You'll walk away able to:
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Recognise how your mindset and communication behaviours influence your impact on others.
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Build trust through more intentional listening and greater understanding.
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Adapt your communication to connect and work more effectively with people who think, communicate and respond differently.
Expect connection, conversation, a few aha moments and practical tools you can put to work immediately. Because effective communication isn't just about what you say. It's about what happens as a result.
Seamus Boyer
Workshop: Your best work is being ignored
How councils can earn attention, show value, and build trust online.
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Make sense of the changing information environment and what it means for council communications.
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Move beyond a constant stream of news and updates to tell a more compelling story about the value councils deliver.
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Create content that earns attention and connects with people beyond our bubble.
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Build trust through more confident, human and responsive communication.
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Use evidence and insights to make better decisions about where to focus our efforts.
Day Two
Timings
8.30am: Registration opens
9am-4pm: Talk It Up unconference
We recommend arriving with enough time to:
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collect your lanyard
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grab a coffee
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locate the room you’re meant to be in!
Everyone is encouraged to bring along a few ideas they may want to lead a discussion on. What’s hot for you right now?
Not keen on public speaking? No sweat, there will likely be others with similar ideas and you could get together or let them take the lead. No pressure, and no fancy powerpoints needed!
Here are just a few ideas to get your brain buzzing:
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What can we do about outrage and opposition?
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What does effective engagement look like when money is tight?
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Words or pictures? Visual storytelling to engage communities and convey complex information
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Equity and inclusion in engagement strategies: How do we amplify voices that are often marginalised?
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Beyond counting likes and shares on Facebook, how do we truly measure the impact of our engagement initiatives?
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Emerging technology (AI, virtual reality, data metrics). Opportunities and challenges.
Venue
This is your Contact section. Tell website visitors how they can contact you and encourage them to reach out with any questions and comments.
The jewel in the crown of the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga (and Mt Maugnanui) is a fantatsic location for Talk It Up 2027, and the Historic Village is a stunning addition to our list of venues that we've had over the years!
With outstanding facilities and technology at our disposal, this might be our best on yet (but don't tell the other venues that, we don't want to hurt feelings).
How to get there
There are direct flights to Tauranga from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. If you're in the upper or central North Island, you're more than likely only three or four hours drive away!
Once here, there's Uber, taxi, Lime scooter, bus or your feet - there’s plenty of options to get yourself to the Historic Village.
There is plenty of space at the venue if you are flying in on Tuesday morning and need to store your luggage before making your way to your accommodation later.
Parking
Historic Village offers ample free on-site parking.
Accomodation
Nearby
SILVER
BRONZE
Meet the team
We are a small group of passionate local government communications professionals who organised the uber-successful inaugural Talk It Up unconference in 2022 and then went back for more in 2023. In 2027 we will be celebrating our fifth Talk It Up!
Local government is changing and and we're organising this unconference for our collective sanity... also, networking!
Jenni Cochrane
Matamata Piako District Council Group Manager Customer Experience
Sonia Gerken
Self Employed
Comms Ninja
Gemma Gibson
Communications Professional & Senior Consultant with Little & Loud
Teresa Hancock
Environment Canterbury Principal Communications & Engagement Advisor
Ben Caldwell
Rangitīkei District Council Communications Advisor
Rochelle Carrig
Hutt City Council
Head of Customer, Communications & Engagement