The Climate Economy should not be about being an obligation but should be about innovation, investment, and economic growth. This event will address how we are progressing in achieving this and what else we should be doing to seize the opportunities created by the Climate Economy. The opening address for this event will be given by John Pearson, Deputy British High Commissioner and you will then hear from:
Hamish Marr, Special Agricultural Trade Envoy to the New Zealand Government
Hamish is a fifth-generation Methven farmer and former Nuffield scholar and was appointed to his current role in July 2023. In this role he works alongside the New Zealand Government to support key objectives and advocate for farmers and growers off-shore. His role supports New Zealand exporters to seize new opportunities in markets and he works with New Zealand's trading partners to tell the story of New Zealand's move towards a sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture sector. He graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.
Ali Adams, CEO ChristchurchNZ
Ali leads the city’s economic development agency which is focused on making the city a better place to live, work and play by improving the city's productivity, liveability and attractiveness. The goal is to grow a regenerative economy that brings prosperity, benefits people and the planet and transitions Christchurch to a low emission city. Ali led New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s work in Europe and before that, in the South Island. She has also worked in marketing, tourism and sports leadership, spending four years as the domestic manager for New Zealand Cricket. She started her business career as a brand manager for Unilever after graduating from Cambridge University with a first-class honours degree in natural science.
Chris Perks, Sector Director Transport, Tonkin + Taylor
Chris is responsible for identifying future transport opportunities for Tonkin+Taylor and ensuring a high quality of delivery. He has extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors – including managing contracts in New Zealand, Australia, Dubai and the UK. His time in New Zealand has included a period with NZTA Waka Kotahi delivering the Road of National Significance between Puhoi and Wellsford. Chris has a BEng in Civil Engineering with Environmental management from the University of Birmingham.
Katherine Forward, Partner at Duncan Cotterill
Katherine is a partner at Duncan Cotterill and leads the national resource management team. She has experience advising on the New Zealand emissions trading scheme, the Climate Change Response Act and climate change aspects of the Resource Management Act. Katherine regularly works alongside renewable energy developers (solar and wind) commercial forestry entities, industrial producers, and agricultural businesses assisting them to navigate the climate change regime. A low-emissions future presents significant opportunities for NZ business to adapt, diversify and deliver sustainable management. Katherine has an LLB from the University of Canterbury and has been practicing law for 18 years.
Thanks to the British High Commission and Duncan Cotterill for their support of this event