Experts share tips on catchment legalities and telling your rural story

// Freshwater

During B+LNZ’s latest two catchment e-forums, law firm Norris Ward McKinnon shared legal advice and rural media stars Sally Rae and Rowena Duncum shared tips for engaging with media and telling your rural story. The next e-forum features a panel of catchment leaders. Learn more and watch the recordings below.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) recently held two of three catchment e-forums where experts shared their tips and answered catchment members' questions. Read a short recap of each e-forum below and watch the recordings.

The Catchment e-Forum Series is part of B+LNZ’s Catchment Community Programme which supports farmers in taking a leadership role to establish or run groups. 

B+LNZ’s Environment Capability Manager Tom Orchiston says, “previous catchment e-forums proved popular, so we wanted to grow the series and focus on topics groups were interested in. When we asked people what they wanted to learn about, hot topics included legal advice, public relations skills and learning from established groups. We want to provide support to catchment groups.” 

You’re invited to learn from a panel of catchment leaders

The next catchment e-forum featuring a panel of catchment leaders is on Tuesday 12 April at 12pm. You’re invited to join the conversation where catchment leaders will provide background as to how their groups have evolved, what has and hasn’t worked for them and the elements that help a group set a good vision. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask your questions. 

The legalities with Norris Ward McKinnon

In the first catchment e-forum, Hamilton law firm Norris Ward McKinnon’s Chris Steenstra and Barbara McDermott discussed the different legal structures that catchment groups may consider.

The pair delved into the advantages and disadvantages of each structure and differing benefits which may suit a group’s circumstances.  This includes the law applicable to the structure, founding documents, governance, liability, control and membership. 

Throughout the webinar, participants asked their own questions.  

Watch the recording playlist on YouTube. 

The e-forum was held 15 February 2022.

Telling the Story with Sally Rae and Rowena Duncum

Rural media experts Sally Rae (Otago Daily Times) and Rowena Duncum (The Country) presented the second catchment e-forum focused on how to tell your rural story.

Sally Rae, Otago Daily Times’ Rural and Business Editor covered how to get the best from different media sources and tips to engage with the media and your audience.

Rowena Duncum, Executive Producer for The Country focused on how farmers can use social media to tell their stories.

Watch the recording playlist on YouTube.

The e-forum was held Tuesday 15 March 2022.