Speakers

Partner, MartinJenkins

Sarah is a Partner at MartinJenkins and leads the firm's Auckland practice. 

Chief Curiosity Officer and Critical Thinking Champion, The Curiosity Company  

Carl Davidson is an insight professional with a social scientist’s heart.

Chief Executive, Fulton Hogan New Zealand

Ben Hayward is Chief Executive of Fulton Hogan New Zealand, leading a team of more than 6,500 people delivering infrastructure that helps communities connect, grow and thrive.  

Chief Executive, New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission

Jo Hendy is Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission, where she leads independent advice to help the country move toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient future that works for everyone.

Chair, Te Arawa Group Holdings

Traci Houpapa is a globally recognised business leader, award-winning company director and trusted advisor to Indigenous Peoples, government and industry. 

Partner, Meredith Connell

Jessica Easton is a partner at Meredith Connell and a trusted advisor to the regional and unitary council network across Aotearoa. 

Director, Silvereye

Originally a farm boy hailing from Dipton in Southland, Conor has spent the last 30 years not too far from the Beehive in Wellington.  

Principal Consultant, MartinJenkins

Tessa is a Principal Consultant specialising in infrastructure and local government. 

Partner, Simpson Grierson 

Paddy is a partner in Simpson Grierson's planning and environment group, based in Auckland.

Senior Investment Consultant Russell Investments 

Brett Moffat is a Senior Investment Consultant at Russell Investments, where he advises local governments, superannuation funds and iwi clients. 

Architect, Principal and Communities & Civic Sector Lead, Warren and Mahoney

Vajini Pannila is a Principal and Co-lead of the Civic and Communities Sector of Warren and Mahoney. 

Public Service Commissioner

Sir Brian became New Zealand’s Public Service Commissioner in November 2024, bringing to the role extensive experience in governance and leadership roles in the public and private sectors across a broad range of sectors.

MC

Mark Sainsbury is a well-known New Zealand journalist and broadcaster, recognised for his extensive career in radio and television.

Partner, Meredith Connell

Nathan Speir is co-leader of Meredith Connell's Local Government team.

Architect and Associate, Warren and Mahoney

Daniel is a Wellington-based architect with international experience across diverse project scales. 

Architect, Principal and Group Chairman, Warren and Mahoney

Andrew is Chairman of the Warren and Mahoney group and, as an architect of Pacific Island heritage, he is a passionate advocate of regional and cultural expression in architecture. 

National affairs editor for The Post and Sunday Star-Times

Multi-award winning journalist Andrea Vance is national affairs editor for The Post and Sunday Star-Times, covering politics, the environment and national investigations. 

Partner, Simpson Grierson 

Mike is a partner in Simpson Grierson’s planning and environment group, based in Wellington.