Nature & Business Symposium 2025

Abbie is the Head of Sustainability and Community at Z Energy. She has worked in the conservation, environment, and energy sectors across public, private and not-for-profit organisations. Z is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading transport energy companies. It owns and operates a network of assets across the country including retail service stations and bulk fuel storage terminals. Z supplies fuel to retail, business and large commercial customers. In addition to its core business, Z is growing an electric vehicle charging network and offers home electricity plans for customers.

Annabel is the Nature Investment Officer at Landcorp Farms (Trading as Pāmu) of New Zealand. She spearheads Pāmu's project to offer nature-based carbon removals to the market. The organisation has comprehensive climate risk assessments, sound digital systems and is working hard to capture biodiversity inventory, all with the view to improve soil and water quality, build climate resilience at scale and strengthen communities. Pāmu is a state-owned agricultural enterprise with more than 360,000 hectares spanning 110 farms supplying dairy, sheep, beef, venison, timber and horticultural products. 

Eamon joined Reconnecting Northland in 2016 as the Pou Manatū (General Manager). Weaving in his passion for indigeneity, Eamon is a builder of community through creative and experimental means. He has a background in industry training, research and community-led initiatives. Of Te Roroa, Ngāti Torehina, Ngāti Arera, Crete, Scottish and Irish whakapapa, Eamon is passionate about leadership that shifts from assuming the sovereignty of humans to acknowledging the mana of nature. He says this will build more cohesive and resilient communities.

Ed is General Manager Sustainability at New Zealand Winegrowers. His team is responsible for the implementation of the wine industry’s environmental strategy. The strategy aims to protect and enhance the industry’s reputation as a world leader in sustainable wine production. When Ed joined New Zealand Winegrowers in 2016, he was involved in developing and implementing the industry’s biosecurity strategy. Before that he worked for central government in fisheries management and later in biosecurity response.    

Erin has worked for Comvita New Zealand Limited since 2008 and now leads the company’s  sustainability team. She is currently focused on Comvita’s climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy as well as nature and biodiversity actions. She is also building supplier engagement and community partnerships to support the company’s ambitious sustainability targets.

Comvita is New Zealand’s largest exporter of mānuka honey. It prides itself on its source-to-shelf model, with its value chain including mānuka forest planting and caring for over 20,000 hives, through to its own retail stores and websites in markets. Its global markets include China and the USA.

Gemma is the Programme Manager for Regenerating Nature at the Sustainable Business Network. She has more than eight years' of experience in sustainability, including her role as Starbucks EMEA Sustainability & Social Impact Manager, and consulting positions supporting clients such as Nestlé, Costa Coffee and Nutella.

The Sustainable Business Network’s nature programme helps businesses transform their operations and supply chains to be nature-positive. It also aims to close the funding gap by increasing investment in restoration and regeneration projects. The programme takes a systems-change approach to addressing the global biodiversity crisis.

Hayden Johnston is the General Manager, Natural Environment Policy at the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). His portfolio covers policy development in a range of areas. They include freshwater national direction and associated regulations, biodiversity (including work on biodiversity credits), national direction on highly productive land and commercial forestry and MfE’s role in marine and oceans policy. Hayden is playing a key role in the development of the Natural Environment Bill as part of the RM reform process.

Imogen is Head of Natural Environment Specialist Services at Auckland Council and an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Auckland. She has a research background in weed and invertebrate ecology and has worked in local government for more than a decade, focused on leading and facilitating evidence-informed conservation operations and policy. With a deep understanding that restoring nature requires collective action, partnership, and local leadership, Imogen and her operational team work collaboratively with others. Together, they aim to deliver positive outcomes for nature and Aucklanders.

Joanna spearheads the award-winning Sustainable Finance team at Westpac New Zealand, providing sustainable finance solutions to help Westpac customers achieve their sustainability goals. In 2023, Westpac released a Natural Capital Action Plan with five strategic focus areas. Recently, Westpac launched a new report, A Sustainable Marine Sector, highlighting drivers for the transition to a blue economy. Westpac supports customers in managing nature-related risks through initiatives that include sustainable loans for farms and businesses

Josh is Whitehaven Wines Sustainability Manager and is helping the company to be sustainably-led in its operations, After completing a BSc in biology/ecology at Victoria University,  he moved into environmental consultancy working on resource management and policy development. He joined Whitehaven wines in 2020.

Founded in 1994 by Sue and Greg White, Whitehaven Wines  is driven by an unwavering focus on quality and a dedicated commitment to sustainability. The business  embraces its long-term responsibility  for reducing environmental impact by focusing on four key focus areas; climate change, biodiversity, water, and people. 

Kate is a sustainability scientist, engineer, and creator of Planetary Accounting, an internationally recognised, peer-reviewed framework that translates global limits for nature into actionable metrics. Kate’s work has been recognised on platforms such as TEDx, Auckland University’s 40Under40, and international keynotes.

Planetary Accounting is like Google Translate for environmental stewardship. It makes complex data easy for anyone to understand. For example, it underpins “Planetary Facts” – like Nutrition Facts for sustainability but instead of calories, protein and fat, they set out the carbon, waste, biodiversity and other environmental footprints of a product. 

Dr Katherine Dixon has worked in the sustainability sector for more than 20 years. She has collaborated with industry, international NGOs, academia and government. Driven by a love of the natural world her work has combined a technical background in ecology with expertise in governance and participatory facilitation. In 2022, Katherine co-founded the consultancy Nature Positive with her partner Dr Robin Mitchell. She leads a committed team offering expert nature-related guidance to companies, financial institutions, governments and trusts both in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Kayla Kingdon-Bebb is the Chief Executive of WWF-New Zealand, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading environmental NGOs. Having previously served as Director of Policy at the Department of Conservation, Kayla has extensive experience in the machinery of government and across a wide range of environmental policy issues. She has a PhD and MPhil from the University of Cambridge; her doctoral and master’s research focused on Treaty law, indigenous customary law and legal pluralism in the context of natural resource management policy.

Since 1975, WWF-New Zealand has supported evidence-based, pragmatic solutions to deliver a future where humanity lives in harmony with nature. It works with iwi and hapū, local communities, NGOs, government, and industry to advocate for and deliver improved environmental outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand, throughout the Pacific and in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic regions.

Kristine Bishop is the Mana Whakahaere of a charitable trust dedicated to reviving, reconnecting, and regenerating Te Taiao (nature). A founding voice of the kaupapa, she now leads with heart, vision, and action. Her strength lies in a hands-on approach to problem solving. Kristine believes in the power of partnerships and community to bring the kaupapa to life. She dreams of a thriving taiao for future generations. What fuels her most is watching rangatahi (youth)connect deeply with the land, sparking transformation for people and place.

Louise spent 25 years as a consulting ecologist and environmental scientist, tackling diverse industries and challenging activities. This extensive experience led to her being entrusted with a project of deep cultural and community significance as CEO of the Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust.  

The Trust is tasked with leading restoration of the mauri (life force) of the Kaimai Mamaku ranges and catchments. Louise works alongside iwi and hapū-led restoration teams to build capability, share knowledge and drive collective action. Recently her focus has turned to driving business investment in biodiversity to fix the broken funding model for conservation.

Lucy Butler is Values Lead at HealthPost, a pioneering ecommerce retailer based in Mohua Golden Bay. HealthPost was founded 37 years ago by Lucy’s mother, Linley, to help people live naturally healthy lives. Lucy strives to continue this legacy through championing natural products, sustainable living and holistically better business. She is a trustee of the HealthPost Nature Trust, which leads an ambitious partnership project to regenerate biodiversity at Onetahua Farewell Spit. Lucy is proud to help HealthPost deliver on its vision to have a lasting positive impact on people and planet.

Manu Caddie (Ngāti Pūkenga, Waitaha-a-Hei, Ngāti Hē) is a biotechnology entrepreneur and advocate for indigenous-led innovation in sustainable enterprise. He co-founded Rua Bioscience, the first company established by a Māori community to list on the NZX, and Hikurangi Bioactives. Manu’s work focuses on the ethical commercialisation of taonga species, integrating the rights of Indigenous Peoples into intellectual property arrangements, and incorporating nature into company governance and shareholdings. He is regularly involved in national policy work and multilateral negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Nate Rigler leads the Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara Sanctuary to Sea project. This 100-year collaborative initiative aims to restore the mouri / life force of the urban Kaiwharawhara whaitua, the largest water catchment in Wellington city. This kaupapa is partnered with mana whenua and receives strategic guidance from the public and private sectors. To achieve this project’s aims, Nate works closely with residents and businesses to provide nature-positive outcomes for the local environment.

As Tangata Whenua at the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, the Toi Taiao team is regenerating the connection between community and nature in one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most urbanised environments. Guided by its restoration project Ko te Pūkākī, its mahi is delivered through two Pou (pillars). Pou Kōkiri leads operational work across ecological restoration, native nursery propagation, kai sovereignty and zero waste kaupapa. Pou Tūhono focuses on storytelling, heritage, advocacy, and engagement to bring people into the heart of the kaupapa.

Dr Robin Mitchell is a restoration ecologist with more than 25 years' experience of nature-related strategy and project development for business and finance. As co-founder of Nature Positive, he now focuses on supporting leading New Zealand companies to set integrated nature and climate targets and meet them through investing in nature-based solutions. Through collaboration, his aspiration is to build the capacity, verification tools and sustainable finance flows for Aotearoa New Zealand to transition to a nature positive economy. He has co-authored guidance for the business and finance sectors.

As CEO of Trees That Count, Robyn is focused on driving positive impact for our native forests, delivering nature-based solutions for funders and collaborating with strategic landscape-scale restoration projects.

Trees That Count is an environmental charity supporting native forest restoration throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. It has more than 35 years of experience in achieving successful conservation outcomes and native forest restoration. It boasts a nationwide network of projects at scale, delivering a positive impact for nature and biodiversity. It works with businesses and large enterprises to fund nature projects.

Rosie is a Project and Partnership Manager at the Sustainable Business Network. She supports partnerships with community-led nature projects, iwi and businesses. Of Rangitāne o Wairau and European descent, Rosie is on a journey to weave together both sides of her whakapapa. She is part of the 2025 Tuia kaupapa — an intergenerational movement that nurtures rangatahi Māori leadership through connection, whakapapa and service. Rosie is exploring her role as a young wāhine Māori in regenerating people and place, bringing the voice of rangatahi to the table.

Sam is a Climate Change and Nature Specialist. He has experience in nature-based solutions and climate adaptation planning for the natural environment. Sam applies a strong nature-based solutions approach in the delivery of sustainable and resilient places and spaces for people and natural ecosystems to thrive.

Sam leads Boffa Miskell’s climate change response strategy. Boffa Miskell is an environmental consultancy that has been shaping New Zealand’s landscape since 1972. Over the past five decades, it has built a reputation for innovation and excellence in environmental restoration and conservation.

Sarah Harper is Corporate Affairs and Engagement Manager for L'Oréal New Zealand.  Sarah has more than 20 years in marketing, communications, and corporate affairs, including experience as L'Oréal's NZ Ethics Correspondent since 2018. She is passionate about ethical leadership and using business as a force for good. She has a deep love for Aotearoa New Zealand and its communities. Sarah aligns professional expertise with personal values for a sustainable future.

Shawn Elise is a Project and Partnership Manager at the Sustainable Business Network. Through SBN’s Connect for Nature platform she focuses on partnering businesses with community-led initiatives, such as the Puhinui Regeneration Project. With nearly a decade of experience working for environmental NGOs in Aotearoa New Zealand, she has met hundreds of passionate volunteers giving their time to te taiao.

Sophia Olo-Whaanga is involved in building the capacity of her iwi at Makaurau Marae in Ihumātao. She advises and implements te taiao initiatives such as ecological restoration and guides rangatahi in water monitoring and pest eradication. Sophia is an Environmental Scientist and Taiao Regeneration Advisor for Te Pu-a Nga Maara. She dreams of a taiao restored through a holistic lens, where healing the land and waters goes hand in hand with nurturing the wairua of communities.

Steph is the Impact Investment Lead at the Sustainable Business Network and leads its Regenerate Nature Programme. She is a passionate collaborator and draws on her talent for connecting funders with nature-based solutions to help tackle climate change and halt biodiversity loss. Steph has more than 25 years of experience in strategic partnerships, sustainability, business transformation, stakeholder engagement and communications.

As Head of Environmental Sustainability, Tom develops Goodman Property Trust’s sustainability strategy and targets in Aotearoa New Zealand. During his 15 years with the business, he has also worked across funds management and development.

Emission reductions are a key focus for Goodman Property, across new and existing buildings. The company’s approach to regenerating nature and biodiversity has included creating ecological baselines, supporting urban ngahere planting projects, native planting at all developments and prioritising brownfield redevelopment over greenfield sites.

As Chief Advisor across public affairs, Vicki leads DOC’s programme to mobilise New Zealanders for nature – a project she describes as the most exciting thing she has ever had the privilege to be a part of. She’s spent her career working across communications, marketing, brand, and behaviour change programmes both in and out of the public sector. Nature and the environment are her thing. She spent five years as Director Communications and Engagement at the Ministry of the Environment, before heading to DOC as the Director of Customer Engagement.