Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
Dr Karamia Müller
Dr Karamia Müller is a Sāmoan architectural scholar, educator and research leader based at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland.
Professor Sara Walton
Professor Sara Walton teaches and researches in the area of sustainability, climate change and business at the Otago Business School, Ōtakou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago. Sara developed the Master of Sustainable Business and helped establish He Kaupapa Hononga Otago’s Climate Change Research Network.
Craig Smith
Craig “Smithy” Smith has spent more than three decades in the global wool industry, but the most important lesson he has learned has very little to do with wool: people before product.
Lottie Oatts
Lottie Oatts is a Community Action Programme Lead with WAI Wānaka, working to connect people with environmental action through education, engagement, and community partnerships.
Andrés Roa Concha
A Chartered Professional Engineer and International Professional Engineer with over 25 years’ experience, Andrés has particular expertise in water-sensitive design (WSD), sustainable stormwater management and the integration of engineering with natural systems.
Mark Sinclair
Mark Sinclair is a professional facilitator and mediator based in Wānaka, working with clients throughout New Zealand to help them resolve disputes. He continues to lead the team at yBC.tv, a strategic communications business with clients in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Europe.
Charissa Snijders
Charissa Snijders is an award-winning architect working at the forefront of regenerative design — bridging real-world practice, research, and creative vision to deliver buildings that go beyond sustainability.
Sam Parsons
Sam is a nature and climate change resilience specialist with experience in nature-related risk assessments, nature-based solutions, and nature strategy development across government, community, and private sector organisations.
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.
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is one of the country's most experienced technology reporters, founding director of the Science Media Centre, and author of The Launch of Rocket Lab.
Emeritus Prof. Ian Shaw
Ian Shaw is Professor of Toxicology at the University of Canterbury. Professor Shaw is an international expert on the impact of environmental contaminants on human health, particularly in a food safety context and is a passionate communicator of science. He has had over 40 years’ experience in academia, industry and government, both in the UK and New Zealand, which includes chairing the UK government’s Pesticide Residues Committee and working as the National Food Safety Programme Manager at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in New Zealand.
Dr. Cathrine Dyer
Dr. Cathrine Dyer is a Lecturer in Climate Change at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. She teaches in environmental politics and international climate change policy. Her PhD research examined government underreactions to climate change, leading to an interest in commons expansion and collective responses. Cathrine is a regular guest on The Hoon podcast, covering current climate change issues with journalists Bernard Hickey (The Kākā) and Peter Bale.
Lindsay Breen
Lindsay Breen is a third-generation Managing Director of Breen Construction, balancing quality, sustainability and cost to deliver lasting value across the lower South Island region.
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.
Hayley Anderson
Hayley is a seasoned health and disability leader. Making connections across communities, ensuring we have more services closer to home while supporting the wellbeing and effectiveness of health professionals are her superpowers. Since arriving back in Central Otago she has been instrumental in the establishment of the Dunstan Hospital Foundation Charitable Trust and the Wānaka Overnight Acute health service.
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.
Filippo Scaramella
Filippo Scaramella, founder of Marble and More Ltd, brings European roofing and timber expertise to New Zealand, helping Kiwis build healthier, energy-efficient, sustainable homes.