Central Region nurses will convene in Palmerston North tomorrow for the annual New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Central Regional Convention. The theme for the day-long event will be "Nurses a Voice to Lead - Health for All" which is also this year’s theme for International Nurses Day (12 May).

One guest speaker will be Hamilton-based NZNO organiser Deb Chappell. She will speak on her work with Massey University to address harassment and bullying in the workplace with a focus on nurses not just in New Zealand but around the world.

A second guest speaker will be Pip Brunn, who was elected by families in Palmerston North to represent them on the MidCentral Regional Leadership Group (RLG) for Enabling Good Lives. The RLG is made up of disabled people, their whānau, mana whenua and providers - and seeks to build local leadership and contribute to ongoing co-design work to promote and protect Enabling Good Lives principles and values.

The day will start with karakia and waiata led by NZNO Kaumātua Keenlan Ransfield and is specifically for NZNO delegates and other members. NZNO staff will also present to share their knowledge and experience across a range of nursing-related topics.

NZNO President Grant Brookes, Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku and Chief Executive Memo Musa will take questions from the floor on issues around social media, workplace safety and governance.

"These Conventions are always an opportunity to extend knowledge and communication amongst members within the region. Conventions discuss topical issues impacting on nursing and members and how those issues contribute to the global direction of nursing," Kerri Nuku said.

NZNO’s Regional Conventions are held in nine regions across New Zealand each year, organised and run by NZNO’s nine Regional Councils: Southern; Canterbury/West Coast; Top of the South; Greater Wellington; Central; Hawke’s Bay; Midlands; Greater Auckland; and Te Tai Tokerau.

The Central Region Council Chair this year is NZNO delegate Trisha Hurley Clinical Nurse Specialist /Diabetes for Taranaki District Heath Board.

The Convention will be held at the Awapuni Function Centre and starts at 9am.

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