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Agri-food Research Network (AFRN)
Convenor of Conference Organising Committee: Richard Le Heron |
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Annual meeting of the Agri-food Research Network
University of Auckland · Auckland · New Zealand · 25-27 November 2009
(preceded by a one day field trip on Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf)
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| Background information |
While the Agri-Food Research Network is a forum primarily for Australian and New Zealand social scientists researching the economic, cultural, social and environmental implications of agricultural and food systems, it has a growing international following. Since its establishment in 1992 it has convened regular annual research conferences and facilitated the publication of research so as to promote inter-disciplinary research on agri-food issues; encourage debate, information exchange and collaboration between researchers based in universities and other organisations; provide a supportive site for nurturing post-graduate students and early-career researchers studying agri-food issues; and engage with policy-makers and agri-food professionals. The annual meeting normally has an overseas keynote speaker/s.
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| Who should attend? |
- Researchers, educators and practitioners who want to present their research results and discuss their findings relating to past, present and future developments in agriculture and food
- Representatives of governmental organisations concerned with aspects of, changes in, influences upon and strategies relating to agriculture and food
- All those interested in disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary engagement relating to agriculture, food and wider dynamics
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| Call for papers, posters and special sessions |
- Proposals of a page are invited by 25 August for Special Sessions – these should indicate a theme, explanation of the significance of the theme and a listing of confirmed contributors for up to three papers. Special Sessions might for example be linked to the popular theme at Agri-food XV in Sydney on urban food provision and emerging urban-rural connections and the recent Foreign Policy School in Dunedin which had as a theme the Dimensions and dynamics of the global food crisis.
- Abstracts of no more than 200 words are invited by 31 August for papers for general sessions – these should include a title, authors, and outline of the paper content and significance
- Abstracts of no more than 200 words are invited by 31 August for posters – this is an experiment aimed at giving recent and current post-graduates an additional option for involvement in the conference
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| Locations and programme |
Key locations:
The conference venue is the Lecture block adjacent to Old Government House in the centre of the University City campus and morning and afternoon teas and lunches will be catered for in Old Government House. Conference delegates are encouraged to stay in O’Rorke Hall as this will be the venue for most evening social activities over the conference. There is a short walk from the conference venue to the conference accommodation.
Programme (updated Nov 11)
Abstracts
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| Field trip |
Title: 'Contested geographical imaginaries on Waiheke: Islandness, rural idyllics, suburbia, vinophilia, tourism, alternative foods, conservation, and development in the Hauraki Gulf'
Waiheke Island is a small island in the Hauraki Gulf 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland’s CBD. Described by Lonely Planet as ‘93 sq km of island bliss’, it has a population of approximately 8,000, many of whom commute to the city. In summer, this population swells to over 30,000, whilst across the year up to half a million visitors take the ferry ride across the gulf.
Long ignored by researchers, Waiheke now offers a highly productive site for investigating highly contested contemporary peri-urban processes and related agri-food networks. Agri-food researchers at the University of Auckland are now involved in a study of Waiheke that seeks to reveal this complexity.
Based on a visit to three different wineries, the field trip will examine the contests among amenity, environmental, social, and economic values that energise this production/consumption landscape. The trip will include lunch at a vineyard, a wine tasting, and two addresses from key protagonists.
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| Updates - monthly |
First update (Aug 11)
Monthly update (Sept 21)
October update (Oct 2)
Programme (updated Nov 11)
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| Conference publications |
The annual conferences have been important in stimulating the range of books and special journal issues that have emerged from the Network activities.
Previous publications of the Agri-food Network
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| Participation fee and registration |
Early bird registration (cut off date 1 October)
Professional/waged registrants: NZ$450 GST inclusive
Student/retiree/unwaged: NZ$280 GST inclusive
Full registration
Professional/waged registrants: NZ$ 565 GST inclusive
Student/retiree/unwaged: NZ $395
The full delegate fee includes conference materials, welcome reception, all morning and afternoon teas and lunches and the meal at the Agri-food Quiz night.
The delegate fee does NOT include the conference dinner, the optional field trip or any accommodation costs, which are additional and must be booked separately.
Please note the conference venue can accommodate a maximum of 140 participants. Conference registration will close if and when this number of paid registrants is reached.
To register, download the Conference registration form (click here),
and the O'Rorke accommodation form (click here)
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| Accommodation |
A special arrangement has been made for quality but low cost accommodation in O’Rorke Hall, 16 Mount Street, at the edge of the University of Auckland’s City campus. The cost of $55 per night includes breakfast. A limited number of car parks are available at a low cost. O’Rorke Hall has very pleasant facilities and is on the Airbus route to/from Auckland International Airport. It is a very short walk to the Auckland Domain, Karangehape Road, Parnell, Ponsonby, Albert Park and down town Auckland.
The Organising Committee encourages all delegates to stay in O’Rorke Hall and to register early. The O'Rouke accommodation form explains that no charge is made to the credit card until arrival.
Most of the evening social activities will be held in O'Rorke Hall
- for delegates who want to spend more money and miss out on the fun!
http://www.auckland.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/copthorneanzacavenue/index.html
- for delegates who want to bring young families these are good options
http://www.questoneden.co.nz/
http://www.thequadrant.com/auckland/
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| Cancellations |
Should you need to cancel your registration for any reason, you may reassign your registration to another person. Please notify the local organisers of the replacement delegate's name and contact details. Alternatively, a refund (the full conference fee less an administration charge of NZ$100) will be made, providing notification is received by 1 November. After this date, no refunds will be made.
If, for reasons beyond the control of the Organising Committee, the conference is cancelled, registration fees will be refunded after the deduction of expenses already incurred.
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| Auckland |
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New Zealand/Aotearoa, “the land of the long white cloud” comprises two large islands and a number of much smaller islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean. Auckland City, one of four major cities making up the Auckland region, is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of approximately 401,500 within the city boundary. About 1.25 million live in the greater Auckland area. This represents about one third of the population of the whole country. In the Maori language, Auckland is known as Tamaki-Makau-Rau – “the maiden with a hundred lovers”.
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| Practical information |
Getting here
Most international flights land in Auckland (AKL). From North America, Air New Zealand flies direct from San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Quarantine Service staff at Auckland International Airport work to protect New Zealand’s agriculture and horticulture industries. A range of checks are used to detect pests and diseases. These include detection dogs, a quarantine declaration form, and luggage x-rays. Items which must be declared include meat and animal products, seeds, plants, fruit or vegetables, equipment used with animals or for camping and airline food. Instant fines (beginning at $200) and harsh penalties apply for false or incomplete declarations!
We recommend shuttle buses as the best method of getting from the airport to the central city. Taxis are also available, if you don’t like a “shared ride”. The airport to central city taxi fare is approximately NZ$60.00.
More information can be found at: http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz
Passport and Visas
A current passport is required for entry to New Zealand. Whilst New Zealand has Visitor Visa Waiver Agreements with many countries, it is important that all delegates intending to travel to New Zealand check with their travel agent. For further information: http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Climate
The meeting will take place in the New Zealand early summer, which generally means mild to warm periods, often with passing showers. You should come prepared for showers and variable temperatures. By this time the evening temperatures can be very pleasant.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.
Insurance
All delegates are strongly advised to take out travel insurance (which includes cover for accidents, illness and hospitalisation) for their travel to New Zealand.
Australians might wish to consult the following link
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/New_Zealand
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June Logie - Conference Secretariat
School of Environment
The University of Auckland
Email: j.logie@auckland.ac.nz
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