Events and meetings

Events

Public Meeting - 12 March 2009
Lost at sea survivor Rob Hewitt held about 60 people spellbound at the town hall in Pahiatua on the 12th March. Mr Hewitt’s talk ranged from his upbringing in Southern Hawkes Bay to his new life as a coach and inspirational speaker.

Mr Hewitt was the guest speaker at a meeting organised by the Bush District Education Planning Working Group.

“It was a great night,” said Richard Thompson, project co-facilitator. “Rob was a good drawcard and his talk went down very well. He described the events leading up to his being lost in 2006, what happened while out there and the changes in his life after being rescued.”

“But it was his tale of being lost at sea that captured the audience. I don’t think anyone can really imagine what it would be like to float in a wetsuit at sea for four days but we got a sense from Rob. His descriptions of feeling abandoned, his increasing physical difficulties as hunger and thirst took over, the dangerous hallucinations, and the temptation just to end it all were told with honesty, humour and insight.”

Mr Hewitt referenced his experiences to the present education planning process and the need to look at the big picture while thinking about the future.

“We also managed to explain the Education Planning process to the audience and answer questions,” said Mr Thompson.

Consultation meetings

The table below provides information on Round one town meetings that took place in March. Information on further meetings will be published on this site shortly.

Town meetings – round one

Town meetings – round two - August 2009