About
Boy 2025 has been packed! So we decided that with Local Water Done Well, Local Elections, RMA Reform and every other reform being thrown our way that you all needed a break!
But we're back in 2026 and this year we’re taking Talk It Up to the Mighty ManawatÅ« and Palmerston North!
We've made some changes to how we've run the past three Talk It Up events. We're swapping things around and the half day workshop will be on day one, with the uncoference to happen on day two. More details on how things will work below.
When
Lock in Tuesday 24 March - Wednesday 25 March 2026
Where
Palmy Conference + Function Centre
Cost
½ day workshop - $150 plus GST
Unconference - $250 plus GST
Total - $400 plus GST, but...
LIMITED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS' DEALS AVAILABLE
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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 one and a half days of high energy learning, including workshops with two dynamic leaders in community engagement.
The agenda is set by the attendees on the day – instead of having speakers on pre-organised topics, the attendees spend the first couple of hours pitching 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 this year’s event – except that it will be dynamic and inspiring.
People who attended TIU have described it as the best conference they’ve ever been to - an invaluable experience.
Tickets are limited and already in hot demand. So, get in quickly and register your spot.
Meanwhile, join Talk it Up on Facebook or Linkedin as momentum builds for the big day.
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Day One
On day one (Tuesday 24 March), we'll be holding a PechaKucha (don't worry, we'll explain) in the morning. In the afternoon, you can choose to go to one of two workshops with an engagement expert.
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We’ll have more information on these shortly.
Day Two
Everyone is encouraged to bring along a few ideas they may want to lead a discussion on (and this is where the PechaKucha the day before will come in handy). 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.
Palmy is a great city and the Palmy Conference + Events Centre is smack bang in the middle of the city. A short walk from many cafes, resturaunts, bars, hotels, motels, you name it!
We’ll also be hosting a meet-up on Tuesday 24 March for those of us who are in town for the PechaKucha and workshops. More details on time and location to follow.
There will also be the chance for some serious networking with drinks and nibbles following the full day Talk It Up Unconference on Wednesday 25 March.
Can you tell we’re a social bunch?!
How to get there
Palmy is a great location for Talk It Up! It's just a 2 hour drive from Wellington, and the airport takes direct flights from Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Nelson (Origin Air).
However, if you want to save some money for your council, fly into Wellington and car pool with some of the crew coming from there!
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Once here, there's Uber, taxi, Lime scooter, bus or your feet - there’s plenty of options to get yourself to the Conference + Events Centre.
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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.
For those closer to home:
Pop Palmy Conference + Events Centre into Google Maps and you'll find your way there, but we suspect most of you will be familiar with it's location.
Parking
If you have a vehicle, once you get to the Conference + Events Centre, there is parking available but it is limited.
Accomodation
Nearby
Lots of other options available within walking distance
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Sponsors
To be announced soon...
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. The main-stayers, plus some newbies have come together again to organise the 2026 event.
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
Stephen Doran
Timaru District Council Group Manager Corporate and Communication
Sonia Gerken
Self Employed
Comms Ninja
Ben Caldwell
Rangitīkei District Council Communications Advisor
Teresa Hancock
Environment Canterbury Principal Communications & Engagement Advisor
Haylee Palmer
Communications and Engagement Advisor
Natalie Dixon
Communications & Engagement Strategist and AI Geek