Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
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.
Rafe Maclean
Rafe Maclean, FNZIA and Certified Passivhaus Designer, has led his Wānaka-based practice since 2005, creating low-energy architecture that champions thermal comfort and lasting environmental stewardship.
Dean Dunning
Dean is a Wanaka-based renewable energy expert, and founder of Wānaka Solar, with over a decade of experience building solar solutions across the South Island.
Arthur Lee
Arthur is the Sustainability and Development Officer at Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. He specialises in Passive House design and carbon assessment, focusing on high-performance residential developments.
Camilla Rutherford
Camilla is an award-winning photographer and visual storyteller based in Tarras. Over the past 15 years, she has built a distinctive body of work across both still and moving image, combining a cinematic eye with a deeply narrative approach.
Stefan Warnaar
Stefan has been developing StrawSIPS since 2020, with the aim of making strawbale building approachable for anyone regardless of their knowledge of natural building.
Matt Jones
Matt Jones is a Principal at Rubix with 20 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across NZ and internationally
Darren Warren
Darren is the Co-Founder and Lead Builder at Prima Build, specialising in high-quality renovations with a focus on precision, craftsmanship, and thoughtful construction.
Livia Warren
Livia co-founded Prima Build and designs renovations that blend Wānaka character with modern living. Drawing on nearly 20 years in plumbing supply, she creates lasting, story-rich homes for generations.
Nathan Surendran
Nathan Surendran (Schema Consulting Ltd & Wise Response) is the Principal Consultant at Schema Consulting Ltd, specialising in biophysical economics, HVAC, and energy systems engineering.
Lee Duncan
Lee Duncan is a Holistic Physiotherapist who blends Eastern and Western medicine together to create a body-based approach to healing that integrates science, somatics and spirituality for deep and lasting transformation.
Cristina Barraclough
Cristina is a sustainability professional with over 4 years’ experience, supporting SMEs, councils, and large manufacturers on their carbon and climate journeys.
Ellie Meredith
Ellie (she/her) cultivates community and joy at Re-Action Collective, tackling eco-anxiety by turning active hope into action and reimagining the outdoor industry as circular and nature-centred.
Gavin Fernie-Jones
Gavin is the co-founder of the Re-Action Collective. A global network of citizen-led circular economy organisations. Focused on re-imagining the outdoor industry through repair, resale, rental, repurposing, redistribution and regeneration.
Simon Millar
Simon is Executive Director at Pure Advantage, blending expertise in sustainability, media, and business to champion green growth aligned with Aotearoa’s natural advantages.
Nick Mills
Nick Mills, fourth-generation at Rippon, leads vineyard and land stewardship since 2002. Co-founder of Te Kākano Trust, he champions native habitat restoration across the Upper Clutha.
Melanie Joan Lloyd
Melanie Joan is a snowboarder, climate policy advisor and artist. Through ClimateChangeBowl, she blends science, advocacy and art to inspire meaningful climate action.
David Norton
David is an Emeritus Professor, with 40+ years in ecology. He now consults through Biodiversity Solutions Ltd., helping farmers integrate biodiversity and advising Pure Advantage on reforestation for climate resilience.
Dr Ella Lawton
Dr Ella Lawton leads regional programmes at Environment Southland, driving collaborative, nature-based solutions that enhance Murihiku Southland’s environmental resilience, community wellbeing, and sustainable land and water management.