Community Board Conference Speakers
Join us to hear from local experts who are truly making a difference in their communities. They'll share their valuable knowledge, insights, and lessons that you can bring back to your rohe.
Speakers >
Jess Berentson-Shaw
Jess Berentson-Shaw is the Co-founder and Director of Narrative at The Workshop, a not for profit organisation based in Whanganui-a-tara.
Simon Britten
Simon Britten is a dedicated community board member with 12 years of experience in the community sector, primarily with a kaupapa Māori organisation focused on youth and community development.
Josh Carmine
Josh Carmine brings an extensive background in diverse aquatic environments, having served as a professional lifeguard in both pool and beach settings.
Angela Clifford
Angela Clifford is the powerhouse behind Eat New Zealand, a not for profit movement on a mission to reconnect New Zealanders with their land and ocean through food.
Renee Corlett
Renee Corlett is a seasoned emergency manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office.
Iaean Cranwell
Iaean (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Irakehu, Kāti Kuri, Kāti Makō) currently serves as the co-chair of Te Maruata and is a representative on LGNZ’s National Council.
Tom FitzGerald
Tom is a geographer, knowledge translator, connector and specialist in coastal and climate adaptation.
Ciaran Fox
Ciaran Fox boasts an impressive 25-year career spanning health promotion, community engagement, and cultural initiatives.
Carolyn Hamill
Carolyn Hamill is a third-term elected member for the Whakatāne District Council on the Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board, and currently the Chair.
Nicole Howarth
Nicole brings business savvy, specialising in driving strategic growth.
Elizabeth Hughes
Elizabeth is a communication and engagement specialist for local government, government and not-for-profit sectors.
Lesley Immink
Lesley is a second term councillor, current Deputy Mayor of Whakatāne District Council and a strong advocate for Community Boards.
Mark Inman
Mark Inman is a dedicated member of the Whakatane Ohope Community Board, now in his third term.
Tim Jones
Tim Jones is President of Living Streets Aotearoa, the national organisation advocating for walking and pedestrians.
Andrew Judd
Andrew Judd is the former mayor of New Plymouth and a staunch supporter of Māori wards.
Tom Kay
Tom Kay is the driving force behind Forest & Bird's efforts to protect our rivers.
Sarah Lucas
Sarah Lucas stood for a community board role because she knows local government can make a big difference in people's lives.
Hannah McGlue
Hannah brings a sharp mind and relentless focus on quality to provide senior decision makers with strategic, frank advice.
Pat Millar
Pat Millar is the National Public Rescue Equipment Officer at Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
Dinnie Moeahu
Dinnie Moeahu (Te Atiawa, Ngāruahine, Taranaki, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Porou) is a second-term New Plymouth District Councillor.
Kris Pervan
Kris Pervan is a member of the Kāpiti Coast District Council Executive team and a proud resident of the West Coast of the North Island.
Lindsay Smaill
Lindsay has a special interest in child, adolescent and caregiver mental health; trauma; and the climate crisis in all its intersectional complexity.
Dr Huhana Smith
Dr Huhana Smith (Ngāti Tukorehe, Raukawa ki te Tonga), is a researcher tackling pressing environmental issues from freshwater to marine health and climate change impacts on coastal ancestral lands and biodiversity in Kuku, Horowhenua, both in New Zealand and globally.
Janet Stephenson
As a social scientist, Janet Stephenson is interested in the complex societal issues involved in transitioning to a sustainable future.
Sara Templeton
Sara was first elected to the Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board in 2013 and chaired the board until she was elected to Council in 2016.
Moko Tepania
For Moko Tepania, local government is a place where mokopuna decisions are made.
Salatielu Tiatia - MC
Sala Tiatia has devoted his life to turning around the lives of troubled youth.
Faylene Tunui
Faylene Tunui is the first Ngāti Tūwharetoa, tangata whenua mayor of Kawerau.
James Willcocks
James is the Project Director for Predator Free Wellington having built the necessary machine to deliver the world's first multi species predator elimination in the Capital City from early beginnings in 2017.
Karen (Kaz) Yung
Karen (Kaz) Yung was born in Te Awakairangi ki Tai, Lower Hutt to Chinese parents. She is currently serving her third term on the Poari Hapori o Pito One - Petone Community Board and currently sits on both the Young Elected Members Committee and Community Board Executive Committee.