Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
Dr. Maria Barnes-Rawiri
Dr Maria Barnes-Rawiri leads He Kete Kai o Hokianga project, supporting food resilience through seed saving, traditional foods, natural growing, climate adaptation and community knowledge.
Amanda Currie
Amanda Currie and her team at Tinwald Farm explore farming practices that build healthy soils, ecosystems and food, with a particular passion for Clydesdale horses.
Dr. Tim Crownshaw
Dr Tim Crownshaw is an EECA Senior Advisor researching energy transitions, energy dependency and resilience, using systems modelling to explore pathways towards sustainable societies.
Paul Norris
Paul Norris is Chief Conservation Officer at RealNZ, with 35 years’ tourism experience and extensive governance roles spanning conservation, tourism, land stewardship and destination management.
Dr. Melissa Robson-Williams
Dr Melissa Robson-Williams is the portfolio leader for the ‘Catalysing Change’ research group at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao.
Susan McIntyre
Susan is a Senior School Teacher and Teacher in Charge of Enviroschools and Garden to Table at Queenstown Primary School, bringing environmental passion to sustainable learning.
Gary Hough
Gary Hough manages KiwiHarvest’s local food rescue operations, connecting surplus food from businesses with charities supporting people experiencing food insecurity.
Theo Richard
Theo Richard is an engineer, sustainability practitioner and organic gardener at the Sherwood, championing low-tech solutions, food resilience, community gardens and regenerative growing.
Babu Blatt
Babu Blatt is Programme Manager at Wao Aotearoa, facilitating the Southern Lakes Kai Collective and strengthening food resilience through collaboration, education and community led initiatives.
Michael Sly
Michael Sly is the founder of Waste to Wilderness, a regenerative waste initiative transforming food scraps from the hospitality sector into valuable compost and healthy soils. Passionate about closing nutrient loops, Michael is exploring innovative approaches to waste reduction, local food production, and regenerative agriculture in Central Otago.
Michael Rewi
Mike founded and is CEO of Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, providing environmental, health and social outcomes for vulnerable communities across Central Otago and Aotearoa.
Nicky Gray
Nicky is the Queenstown Enviroschools Facilitator. She is passionate about education and the environment.
Finley Watkins
Finley Watkins leads Walter Peak’s gardens, native nursery and ecological restoration, championing sustainable growing and resilient landscapes that connect people with food, nature and place.
Ewan Mackie
Ewan Mackie has 20 years’ experience in ski tourism and environmental conservation, leading trapping, planting and threatened species projects across the southern South Island.
Julia Blackford
Julia is a food scientist with 20 years experience in food tech and product development. In the last 10 years she has focused on research and development of plant based alternative products and sustainability impacts within food design.
Bex and Ben Trotter
Ben and Bex own and run Black Peak Farming Limited, trading as Red Bridge Berries and Alpine Fresh. Through these businesses, they farm bull beef and grow berries, greens, and herbs, supplying local communities.
Skye Macfarlane
Skye Macfarlane is the Southern Regional Coordinator for Garden to Table, working with schools to teach tamariki practical food skills that build resilience and community. A naturopath, medical herbalist, nutritionist, and public health graduate, she also co-founded the Vern Paddock Project organic market garden and leads formulation for Wild Dispensary.
Lisa Johnston
Lisa Johnston, market gardener, orchardist, and food entrepreneur at Frog Song Farm, grows nutrient-dense produce using bio-intensive organic methods. She co-runs Village Nuts, mentors interns, and leads regeneration projects, weaving abundance, biodiversity, and learning into her community-focused farming vision.
Dr. Maureen Murphy
Dr Maureen Murphy researches food system resilience in Melbourne, combining social science, agricultural engineering, and policy expertise to inform climate-adaptive urban food planning and governance.
Janice Lee
Janice Lee, founder of Koha Kai, empowers Kaumatua (elders) and Tangata Whaikaha (disabled people) through food resilience and community spaces, championing sustainable solutions despite limited investment.