Geoff Canham

Tauranga

Geoff is a Principal Parks and Recreation Specialist and Accredited Parks and Recreation Professional (ARPro). Geoff runs GCC, a specialist parks and recreation consultancy. Geoff has 36 years’ experience in parks agency/ local government parks and recreation with New Zealand and international experience in parks and recreation leadership, planning and project management. Geoff has given over 15 Conference presentations in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S, has had over 10 articles published and is the recipient of two NZRA industry awards. Geoff was an official guest of the U.S Department of Agriculture for presentations in Washington DC on co-design with indigenous peoples to effect joint environmental outcomes (not recently) and has participated in review processes for landscape projects for Californian Parks Agencies. Geoff currently volunteers for Bay of Plenty National Park City/ Region and serves on the Maungatautiri Reserve Committee (Predator free Sanctuary Mountain), the BOP Envirohub Board and convenes the New Zealand Parks Agencies Managers Group. Geoff has performed the role of industry mentor for the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) and an international Peer Reviewer for Parks Agencies. Geoff has held two Chair roles for strategic and regional roles for NZRA (formerly the chair for the NZRA National Peer Review Panel and formerly the chair for the Regional Advisory Group (to advise the NZRA Board)) and is the current Chair of the Industry Accreditation Board for the NZRA. Geoff was also the NZRA Central Region chairman for 17 years. In 2013 Geoff was awarded the Ian Galloway Memorial Cup for Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to the Wider Parks Industry.