Paul Norris

Paul Norris has 35 years of experience in the tourism industry and is currently Chief Conservation Officer at RealNZ, where he works at the intersection of tourism, conservation and the stewardship of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic natural places.

Paul has extensive governance experience across tourism, conservation and land stewardship. He is a current member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority and an Independent Director of the Remarkables Station National Trust, a subsidiary of the Queenstown Lakes Charitable Trust. He has also served as a representative on the Milford Opportunities Project Board.

In 2021, Paul was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the tourism industry and conservation. His experience brings a valuable perspective on how tourism businesses can contribute to the long term wellbeing and resilience of the places, communities and environments in which they operate.

Paul will be speaking at the Welcome by RealNZ session during the Food Resilience Day tour at Wao Summit 2026.