NZAA Conferences

The Association holds annual conferences in centres which rotate around New Zealand. The Association Annual General Meeting is held during the event. Field trips are always a feature of conferences. There is a Google calendar of NZAA events:
                                             
(If you have a personal Google calendar you can add this calendar to it so you will always have this link)  

2010 Conference  NZAA CONFERENCE 2010: WESTPORT 9-13 JUNE Booking Form - watch this space.       Conference programme:             Weds 9 June    Conference opening (early evening)             Thurs 10 June   Papers & public lecture             Fri 11 June       Field trip & conference dinner             Sat 12 June      Papers & student poster session             Sun 13 June      Papers and close of conference with lunch   Westport, the heart of the Kawatiri region and the West Coast’s oldest town, is the location of the NZAA’s 2010 conference. Westport is located on the east bank of the Buller or Kawatiri River, an area that has long been a focus of human habitation.  Maori communities occupied the west bank of the Buller river within the first decades of colonising New Zealand. Although this village was abandoned after one or two centuries, there was once again a Maori community at the mouth of Buller when Heaphy and Brunner passed through the area in the 1840s. Gold was the force that led to a European settlement being established at the mouth of the Buller River in the 1860s, but it was coal that drove Westport’s ongoing development, and it continues to do so today. The archaeological remains of numerous coal mines are close at hand, including those of Denniston, which will be the field trip destination. The West Coast offers ample opportunities for those who wish to explore further afield before or after the conference, whether seeking scenic attractions, walking opportunities or archaeological sites. To the north are Karamea and the Wangapeka and Heaphy tracks, and along the way are the sites of Charming Creek, Millerton and the Britannia gold mine. To the south is the spectacular coast road running through Punakaiki, Greymouth, Hokitika and down to the glaciers. Sites of interest in this area include the Brunner mine site, Monteiths brewery, Blackball and numerous walks that explore the gold mining heritage of the area. Inland (on the road between Christchurch and Westport) is Reefton, the first town in New Zealand with electric lighting, and more walking tracks, including the Murray Creek gold mining area. Big River is nearby, as is Waiuta, and the Blacks Point Museum, with the West Coast’s only working stamper battery. More information about each of these areas can be found on the following websites: www.westport.org.nz www.punakaiki.co.nz www.reefton.co.nz www.hokitika.org http://www.doc.govt.nz/by-region/west-coast/parks-and-recreation/ www.waiuta.org.nz  For more information about the conference please contact the coordinator, Katharine Watson: katharine_watson@xtra.com   Travel: There are a number of ways to get to Westport: ·        daily direct flights from Wellington (2 flights in/out on a weekday; 1 flight in/out on a Saturday/Sunday; www.airnz.co.nz); ·        fly to Nelson, Christchurch or Hokitika and drive/bus to Westport; or ·        take the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth and drive/bus to Westport (www.tranzscenic.co.nz).  Costs for these options are listed in the table below. These costs are correct as at 15 December 2009.     depart arrive one way flights Auckland Westport $136   Auckland Nelson $89   Auckland Christchurch $59   Auckland Hokitika $136   Wellington Westport $79   Wellington Nelson $69   Wellington Christchurch $49   Wellington Hokitika $122   Dunedin Westport $147   Dunedin Nelson $122   Dunedin Christchurch $59   Dunedin Hokitika $120 train Christchurch Greymouth $81 bus Greymouth Westport $17   Nelson Westport $30 shuttle Greymouth Westport $20   Nelson Westport $40   Hokitika Westport $30   Buses: www.intercity.co.nz (NB: this bus meets the train in Greymouth before going to Westport) Shuttle: www.atomictravel.co.nz  Location: Solid Energy Centre, cnr Henley and Domett Streets (NB: 20-30 minutes walk from the southern end of Palmerston Street, where most motels are located.)             www.bullerdc.govt.nz/main/solid_energy_centre/    Accommodation: There is a range of accommodation available in Westport, a selection of which is listed below. More options can be found on the following website: www.westport.org.nz. Most of the accommodation listed below is towards the south end of Palmerston Street and a 20-30 minute walk from the venue. Accommodation in Westport can be difficult to find, even in winter and it is recommended that you book early.  Westport Holiday Park (closest accommodation to the venue) – motels, tourist flats, tent sites             www.westportholidaypark.co.nz/             Bazil’s Hostel (YHA)             www.bazils.com/             TripInn Hostel (BBH) – hostel-type accommodation in a historic building             www.tripinn.co.nz/about.html             Chelsea Gateway Motor Lodge – excellent two and three bedroom apartments             www.chelseagateway.co.nz/ Bella Vista Motel Westport             www.bellavistamotels.co.nz/             Buller Court Motel             www.bullercourtmotel.co.nz/             Westport Spa Motel              www.westportspamotel.co.nz/             Palm Court Motels             www.palmcourtwestport.co.nz             Westport Motor Hotel – the only hotel in Westport              www.westportmotorhotel.co.nz/ Omau Settlers Lodge – about 15 minutes out of town but very pleasant accommodation    www.omausettlerslodge.co.nz/   Papers: Dr Richard Walter is the papers coordinator, and offers of papers should be submitted to him. richard.walter@otago.ac.nz    Student posters: There will be a student poster session during the conference. This will be an opportunity for students to present information about their research in a relatively informal setting. Offers of posters should be submitted to Dr Walter.    Field trip:  Denniston NB: The weather at Denniston can be cold and wet – the field trip will go ahead, rain or shine. It is recommended that all field trip participants come prepared for cold, very wet weather. Papers Coordinator Richard Walter richard.walter@stonebow.otago.ac.nz Conference Coordinator: Katharine Watson: katharine_watson@xtra.co.nz