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.

Gary Hough manages KiwiHarvest’s local food rescue operations, connecting surplus food from businesses with charities supporting people experiencing food insecurity.

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 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 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.

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 is the Queenstown Enviroschools Facilitator. She is passionate about education and the environment.

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 has 20 years’ experience in ski tourism and environmental conservation, leading trapping, planting and threatened species projects across the southern South Island.