Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marama Davidson
Marama is the Co-leader of the Green Party. She's based in South Auckland and is a List MP.
Dr. Kayla Kingdon-Bebb
Dr. Kayla Kingdon-Bebb is a well-known environmental policy leader and advocate. She believes Aotearoa’s most crucial (and undervalued) asset is nature – and has a particular interest in seeing our ocean and fisheries restored to a state of health and abundance.
Michael Laws
Michael Laws is the New Zealand First Candidate for Waitaki. Michael Laws has spent more than four decades serving New Zealand through Parliament, local government, broadcasting and public advocacy.
Born in Wairoa and raised in Whanganui, Michael graduated with First Class Honours in History from the University of Otago before completing a Master of Arts in Creative Writing at Victoria University. He was awarded a University Grants Committee Postgraduate Scholarship and was also a New Zealand Universities debating champion.
Miles Anderson
Miles is the National MP for Waitaki.
Mr Anderson has been a farmer for more than 20 years and has served on the Federated Farmers board and as chair of its Meat & Wool Industry Group.
“It’s an honour to be elected as National’s MP in Waitaki. I am working hard to meet as many people as I can across the electorate."
Hon Damien O'Connor
The Hon Damien O'Connor is a Labour Party List MP and the spokesperson for Trade & Export Growth, Defence, Land Information, Regional Development.
Hon David Seymour
The Hon David Seymour is the Deputy Prime Minister, MP for Epsom, Minister for Regulation and the ACT Party Leader.
Lisa Marie Murch
Lisa Marie Murch is the Te Pāti Māori candidate for Te Tai Tonga in the 2026 General Election.
Born and raised in Murihiku, Lisa brings lived experience, education, service, and a deep commitment to whānau Māori across Te Waipounamu.
Larry Blair
Larry Blair is a specialist generalist, combing a wide range of skills and experience to synthesise various diverse topics into easily understood and actionable information underpinned by energy and biology.
Clinton Chambers
Meet Clinton Chambers - leader, visionary and strategic thinker with a strong set of values that drives everything he does. Owner of Taste Nature organic supermarket, cafe and apothecary, the business is built on Clinton's vision to create a sustainable, ethical, and local economic system that supports the wellbeing of individuals, engages our community, cares for our planet, furthers our education, and is in harmony with nature.
Arna Craig
Arna established her digital marketing agency Fever Pitch in Wanaka in 2011. Working with business across the spectrum in size and industry has given Arna a unique lens into digital communication strategy and business development.