sunday, 17 May
Community & Systems Change
Advance Registration required for all Sessions and Experiences
Session
type
Session
SPEAKER(S)
Time
Description
PRICE
Electric Experiences:
The Resilient Home Tour
Hosted by Local Homeowner
09:30 - 10:30
Visit real, innovative homes using solar, batteries, and smart energy systems.
Free | Waitlisted
Inside a High-Performance Solar Home
Hosted by Local Homeowner
11:00 - 12:00
Join us for a guided tour of a home designed for energy performance
Free | Waitlisted
Off-Grid & On-Purpose: The Kinloch Wilderness Experience
Hosted by Kinloch Wilderness Retreat
10:00 - 15:00
Travel by EV’s to Kinloch to experience fully regenerative hospitality
$100
Peaceful Fishing - Electric Boat Trip
Hosted by Catch a Fish
10:00-14:30
Experience Lake Wakatipu in a quieter, more low-impact way
$20
Boat & Bike Experience
Hosted by Naut, Ride to the Sky and Queenstown Golf Club
12:00 - 14:30
Experience Queenstown by e-boat and e-bike in a scenic, low-emission adventure.
$90 | Waitlisted
Exhibition & Display:
Queenstown Events Centre
The How-To Hub
Key exhibitor zones: Solar & Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Heating & Hot Water, & Finance
13:00 - 15:00
Drop in and get expert advice to electrify your home, business or project.
Free
The Power Playground
Innovative electric technologies to test out
13:00-15:00
Test EVs, e-bikes, and electrified tech with hands-on demos and expert tips.
Free
Afternoon Keynote Speakers:
Queenstown Events Centre
Day 1 Ticket: $5
Welcome
Victoria Crockford, Director of Heft
15:10 - 15:15
Introduction to day 1 from the facilitator; Victoria Crockford
Included
Address from the Climate Change Minister & Former Energy Minister
Hon. Simon Watts
15:15 - 15:30
Hear from the Minister of Energy, Climate Change, Local Government and Revenue
Included
What Will It Take? A Consumer‑Led Path to Electrification
Paul Fuge, Powerswitch Manager, Consumer New Zealand
15:30 - 15:45
What consumers think about electrification and what will drive uptake
Included
Turning Ambition into Action: Electrification in Queenstown
Josh Ellison, Queenstown Electrification Accelerator Programme
15:45 - 16:15
How everyone can play a part in lowering bills & emissions
Included
Leading the Charge: Aotearoa’s Electric and Sustainable Future
Izzy Fenwick, CE New Zealand Climate Foundation
16:15 - 16:40
Discover how Aotearoa can lead global climate action through electrification
Included
Q&A with Speakers
Queenstown Electrification Accelerator, Izzy Fenwick, Jon Duffy
16:40 - 16:55
Get the opportunity to ask any electrification related questions to the speakers
Included
Closing Remarks
Victoria Crockford, Director of Heft
16:55
Included
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Speaking Session
Panel
Break
Electric Experience
Exhibition and Display
Monday, 18 May
Business Innovation, Investment & Policy
Queenstown Events Centre
Day 2 Ticket: $60
Session Type
session
speaker(s)
Time
Description
Price
Welcome
Paddy Gower, Journalist & John Glover, Mayor of Queenstown Lakes District
09:10 - 09:25
Included
The Competitive Advantages of Electrification
Mike Casey, CEO Rewiring Aotearoa
09:25 - 10:00
Driving local & national productivity, cost savings, resilience & innovation
Included
Principal Sponsor Keynote: Aurora Energy
Richard Fletcher, CEO Aurora Energy
10:00 - 10:30
Aurora Energy shares what’s next for the region’s electricity network
Included
Morning Tea + the How-To Hub Opens
10:30 - 11:15
Enjoy a delicious, sustainably sourced morning tea from Queenstown Catering
Included
Green Finance and Funding Pathways
Facilitator: Kate Archer, Panellists: Hannah Paterson (Westpac), Dr Marcos Pelenur (EECA), Aimee McCammon (Pic's Peanut Butter)
11:15 - 11:50
Explore loans, grants, and funding options to support electrification
Included
How can Queenstown lead New Zealand's energy movement?
Ross Copland, Southern Infrastructure
11:50-12:00
Explore how local action can electrify Aotearoa
Included
Networking Lunch + How-To Hub Opens
12:00 - 13:00
Connect over a fresh, locally sourced networking lunch by Queenstown Catering
Included
Ara Ake presents Reimagining Energy for a Low-Emissions Aotearoa
Briony Bennet (Ara Ake), Dr Christina Hood (New Zealand Climate Foundation), Dr Steve Batstone (QEA), Jo Hendy (Climate Change Commission)
13:00 - 13:35
Learn how renewables and new tech will shape New Zealand’s clean energy future
Included
Saul Griffith: The Global Direction of Electrification
Dr Saul Griffith, Inventor, Founder & Scientist
13:35 - 14:10
Energy visionary Dr Saul Griffith shares bold insights on global electrification
Included
Afternoon Tea + the How-To Hub Opens
14:10 - 14:40
Enjoy Queenstown Catering's delicious locally sourced, sustainable treats!
Included
The Future of New Zealand’s Energy System: A Leaders’ Debate: 14:50-16:30
Act Party
Deputy Prime Minister and Act Party Leader: Hon. David Seymour
14:50
Included
Labour Party
Labour Party Leader: Rt Hon Chris Hipkins
15:00
Included
National Party
Energy Minister for National Party: Hon. Simeon Brown
15:10
Included
Opportunity Party
Opportunity Party Leader: Qiulae Wong
15:20
Included
New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First Co-Leader and Associate Minister for Energy: Hon Shane Jones
15:30
Included
Green Party
Green Party Co-Leader: Chlöe Swarbrick
15:40
Included
The Future of New Zealand’s Energy System: Leaders’ Debate
Political leaders, facilitated by Paddy Gower
15:50-16:30
A rare on-stage debate as party leaders discuss NZ’s energy and climate future
Included
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Speaking Session
Panel
Break
Exhibition and Display
Tuesday, 19 May
Practical business advice – the “How To”
Queenstown Events Centre
Day 3 Ticket: $25
Session
Type
session
speaker(s)
Time
Description
PRICE
Welcome
09:10 - 09:25
Introduction to day 1 from the facilitator
Included
Rewiring presents 'From Power Bills to Payback: A Business Guide to Electrification'
Jade Baker-Edwards & Lowri Swygart, Queenstown Electrification Accelerator Programme
09:25 - 09:45
Easily understandable, clear pathway to bill savings
Included
Aurora Energy presents 'Queenstown’s Pathway to a Better Energy System'
John Glover (QLDC Mayor), Josh Ellison (Rewiring Aotearoa), Jon Stone (Aurora Energy)
09:45 - 10:15
Building a better energy future for the district
Included
Morning Tea + the How-To Hub Opens
10:30 - 11:00
Enjoy Queenstown Catering's delicious locally sourced, sustainable treats!
Included
EV Matchmaker
NordEast (Distributor of Volvo, Geely, Farizon, Polestar, Zeekr), Rental Car Association, and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)
11:00 - 11:30
Hear from a variety of car experts on EV technology
Included
Transpower presents 'Electrify with Confidence'
Justan Clark (Transpower), Dr Steve Batstone (QEA), Danusia Wypych (ChargeNet)
11:30 - 12:00
Experts answer questions on what electrification means for us and the electricity system
Included
Networking Lunch + The How-To Hub Opens
12:00 - 13:15
Enjoy Queenstown Catering's delicious locally sourced, sustainable treats!
Included
The Electric Transport Future
Ross Copland (Southern Infrastructure), Eric Laakmann (Vessev) and Fiona Bycroft (Naut)
13:15 - 14:00
See how e-mobility and new transport solutions will shape movement in our region
Included
Changing the System from Within: A New Operating Model
Matt Strik
14:00 - 14:30
Farmlands Flex: transferable learnings for all industries
Included
Closing Remarks
14:30 - 14:40
Close of Electrify Queenstown 2026
Included
Networking & Finish
14:40 - 15:00
Included
Icon Key:
Speaking Session
Panel
Break
