News: Rod Oram to speak in Thames - 25 july

News Release – 15 July 2008

Energy, Peaks, Happiness, Dollars and Opportunites:
Renowned Journalist To Speak In Thames

Author, journalist and commentator Rod Oram - well-known as a regular on Radio New Zealand's Nine-to-Noon show, for his weekly column in the Sunday-Star Times newspaper, and his recent book about New Zealand Reinventing Paradise - will speak in Thames at the St James Hall on Friday 25 July at 7pm. A former business editor of the New Zealand Herald, Rod Oram honed his craft during 18 years as editor and journalist based in London and New York for Britain's highly regarded Financial Times. He brings clarity, humour, insight and straightforward language to the complex business and economic currents of today's global, national and local economies. He has been a tireless champion of Climate Change as being a, if not the, defining issue of our times.

Mr Oram described his evening's presentation as speaking “about the great seismic shifts going on in the world...such as the shortages of food, energy and other resource and the increasing focus by many companies on sustainability in environmental, economic and social terms. I’ll relate those issues very strongly to New Zealand...to the opportunities and challenges they present to us.”

In addition to his public presentation Mr Oram is using his visit to call in on some of the major employers in the region. He said that New Zealand has traditionally had a remarkably robust and practical approach to business that arises naturally from a national character that values innovation, straight-thinking, and a keen local sensibility.

Mr Oram is visiting Thames under the auspices of TransitionTownThames which is presenting a series of talks and films aimed at raising awareness that solutions to the many challenges facing our community as a result of a dependency on oil can be found in the resources, skills and creativity already available within the community. A spokesman for TransitionTownThames said: “We're delighted to be able to host Rod in Thames. His point of view cuts across and challenges all political and idealogical camps with an in depth knowledge of the forces shaping our economy. He usually has some surprising facts, new ideas, a challenge for our prejudices whoever we are, and a reminder that the great strengrh of human society is our ability to develop and realise a shared, diverse and inclusive vision – so it will be a stimulating evening.”

ENDS
TransitionTownThames info – 868 3220 – Mark Skelding
Rod Oram is available for further comment. 021 444 839