Central Branch

After Hours Meet & Greet

Thursday July 31st 2008, 6.30pm – 8.00pm.

Click here to download the flyer. (33 kilobytes)

Make cheques payable to NZOQ Wellington Branch – please include full name and contact number on back of cheque. Post to Jo Walker, PO Box 39340, Wellington Mail.

Any queries please contact Jo Walker or 027 337 2778

Visit to GNS Science, Lower Hutt

On 7 March the Central Branch met at GNS Science in Lower Hutt (formerly used by the National Film Unit and Cloud 9 films) for an informative meeting with scientists who work there.

John Callan, Communications Manager for GNS Science, and who specialises in geology, spoke for over two hours about the work undertaken by GNS, in particular: earthquakes, landslides and the social response.

John spoke about the Wellington Fault, pointing out that it is expected to move every 600 years or within the next 200. Much of what GNS does is to try and reduce the risk to people and property when an earthquake occurs. They are also contracted to supply information to local and international companies. The scientists are held in high regard internationally.

John also pointed out that NZ carbon dating experts are regarded as some of the best in the world, partly because they are more innovative.

Brian Field, Electronic Data Specialist, spoke about seismic sensing equipment dotted around New Zealand, using the recent big Gisborne earthquake as an example. (Fortunately it was at sea!)

Julia Becker, Social Scientist, discussed human reaction to seismic events and how that reaction can be improved to make us more 'resilient'. For example, she showed how a developer in Upper Hutt had accommodated the Wellington Fault within a very wide street, thereby keeping it away from houses.

Grant Dellow, Engineering Geologist, talked about landslides, in particular how GNS is developing an inventory of New Zealand landslides. Currently they rely on newspaper reports, but technology, such as satellite imagery, is becoming increasingly sophisticated and provides vital information also. This information is particularly useful to civil engineers and town planners.

Did you know also that there is a blank spot in the Bay of Plenty where, it seems, volcanic ash (or pumice) is masking activity? That landslides can be both dry and wet? Or that wet landslides are closely linked to the weather?

We came away from GNS with a greater understanding of geological risks in New Zealand and GNS's role in limiting these.

New Zealand Quality Day 2008

10th June, 2008

Novotel, 72-112 Greenlane East, Ellerslie (off Greenlane Motorway Exit roundabout)

NZOQ Northern branch is hosting this year's New Zealand Quality Day in Auckland followed by the National NZOQ AGM. The day will focus on personal and organisational development, business improvement and innovation as a build up to our NZOQ signature event in Queenstown

Click here to download the registration flyer. (157 kilobytes)

NZ Quality Day 2008 is a full day of dynamic presentations based on the quality journeys of varied and successful leading organisations as well as knowledge sharing from some of our leading educational institutions. This annual NZOQ event is always an inspiring and energising event for business improvement, change, quality, risk, health & safety managers, practitioners and entrepreneurs! Come along and celebrate NZ Quality Day with us on the 10 June 2008!

For further information, contact Ceillhe Sperath.

Annual Report, May 2007

This year the branch committee has effectively consisted of Geoff Edwards (secretary/treasurer), Helen Patterson, and me (chairperson).

National Office and Board.

During the year the Council was replaced with a Board, which is partly elected by members and partly appointed by those elected. We have had much better communications with the Board. The fact that both Kelvin Muggeridge and I have stood for election [unsuccessfully, twice in my case] on behalf of Central members has reminded the Board of branch needs. One result has been a Membership Services Committee [MSC] chaired by a Board member and attended by representatives from the three branches [Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland] with Helen Baines assisting. National office have always been both efficient and helpful [two things that can be exclusive]. Ceillhe, National President, has chaired the MSC. Now that the NZOQ education programme and its finances are on a firmer footing the Board is giving more thought to branches and members.

To further aid communication the committee and Board now exchange meeting minutes.

Branch Finances.

National Office now runs branch bank accounts and gives us a regular balance updates. The balance is now about $700. We currently spend very little and interest has been accruing. More successful branch events at, say, $5 a head would increase the balance, but we currently have enough money for immediate operating purposes.

Conference.

We were very pleased to learn last year that the World Quality Congress conference was being held in Wellington and was being organised from Massey University with a consortium of NZOQ, Business Excellence Foundation and others. This filled a gap in the branch’s life. Committee members and others helped with running the conference which, from our perspective, was a great success. Held at the Duxton, we hope that many Wellington members attended and benefited from it.

A mini-conference and NZOQ anniversary is being held by our strongest branch, Canterbury, this June and a conference next year in Queenstown is under consideration. Great venue!

Events for members

Despite our best endeavours Wellington members have still been very passive. Only Ian Hendra’s quality tools sessions have worked, and even these excellent (free) sessions have attracted small numbers. On one occasion they were attended by CQA students, who we try to support.

Publicity

Most branch publicity now can be emailed. QnewZ is used when we want to go beyond Wellington. Members should give the committee their current email addresses if we don’t have them. Geoff Edwards issues at least one notice by email a month. For time and cost reasons we do not now use the postal service. Members seem pleased with the new yellow and blue branding of NZOQ [and of QnewZ whose content has improved].

Administrative

The committee has regular monthly committee meetings at a central city venue provided by Geoff. (Geoff also provides agendas, financial updates and minutes.) Your committee consists of busy people and attendance varies with availability. We hope that more branch members will join the committee to help us to better serve the branch and, as we retire from the committee, to continue that service. The future is in your hands!