Meet the people driving innovation in electrification.

Meet the Electrify Queenstown 2026 Speakers

Electrify Queenstown (EQ) 2026 brought together government policy makers, network providers, energy transition experts, and sustainable business leaders for two days of conversation about New Zealand's electrification future. View the full speaker lineup below.

If you're interested in speaking at EQ 2027, register your interest below.

Your Speakers and Workshop Facilitators

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Paddy Gower
Journalist
Paddy Gower is a celebrated news journalist, former political editor and television presenter, and now, a radio broadcaster. Paddy describes himself as a journalist that is focused on positive news and solutions. He has recently released his biography This Is The F#$%ing News: My Story and completed a book tour around Aotearoa, he produces and hosts a news series on Stuff, and his award-winning television current affairs series Paddy Gower Has Issues. 
Dr Saul Griffith
Inventor, Author, Founder, and Scientist
Dr Saul Griffith is an Australian engineer and entrepreneur specialising in clean and renewable energy technologies. With a PhD at MIT, he founded numerous companies in Silicon Valley, including Makani Power and Instructables.com. He authored 'Electrify' and 'The Big Switch', and founded Rewiring America and Rewiring Australia to promote electrification and decarbonisation. He has received numerous honours, including the MacArthur Fellowship and the Tallberg/Eliasson Global Leadership Prize.
Izzy Fenwick
Chief Exective, New Zealand Climate Foundation
Izzy brings systems thinking, human-centred design, and strategic communications to the Foundation’s mission to accelerate climate action in Aotearoa. Her work sits at the intersection of behaviour change, institutional decision-making, and practical delivery - translating complex challenges into credible, actionable pathways. She also serves on the board of The Aotearoa Circle, a public–private partnership focused on restoring New Zealand’s natural capital and supporting sustainable prosperity. Izzy is a Fellow of the NEXT Foundation and a Young Fellow with India’s Observer Research Foundation, where she engages on climate diplomacy, global sustainable development and resilient economies. Izzy’s work is informed by a deep commitment to intergenerational equity and a sense of purpose inherited from her late father, environmentalist Sir Rob Fenwick.
Hon David Seymour
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Act Party
David Seymour grew up in Whangārei and studied electrical engineering and philosophy at the University of Auckland, his first job was working night shift at a sawmill, and his first full time job was on a design project for a fibre optic roll out. He first joined ACT as a student, drawn by a deep belief in personal freedom and responsibility. He believes anyone can get elected promising one voter free money taxed off another. The challenge he gets up for is winning power without promising to hand out other people’s money.
Simon Watts
Hon. Simon Watts
Hon. Simon Watts is the Minister of Revenue, Minister of Climate Change, Minister for Auckland and Minister of Local Government. He was elected as the MP for the North Shore in 2022. Simon studied Accounting and Finance at Waikato University and has worked in investment banking in Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Simon has also completed a Health Science degree at Auckland University of Technology. He continues to volunteer with St John as an ambulance officer and is a registered Paramedic alongside his duties as a Member of Parliament.
Rt. Hon. Chris Hipkins
Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party
Rt. Hon. Chris Hipkins is the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. First elected to Parliament in 2008 representing the Remutaka electorate, he has spent his career fighting for a New Zealand where everyone gets a fair shot. Hipkins believes in an economy powered by clean, affordable energy that creates good jobs, keeps young New Zealanders here at home, and ensures life is more affordable. As Prime Minister in 2023 and now as Opposition Leader, he leads a Labour Party focused on building a stronger, more prosperous New Zealand where hard work is rewarded and everyone can get ahead.
Chlöe Swarbrick
Co-Leader, Green Party
Chlöe Swarbrick is the Co-Leader of the Green Party, and your local Member of Parliament for Auckland Central. She is also the Party’s spokesperson for Climate Change, Finance and Revenue. She has been a member of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee and co-founder and former Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Mental Health and Addiction. Chlöe entered Parliament as a Green Party List MP in 2017, and has been the MP for Auckland Central since 2020.
Hon Shane Jones
Associate Minister for Energy
Hon Shane Jones is the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources, Associate Minister of Finance, and Associate Minister for Energy. Mr Jones entered Parliament in 2005 with the Labour Party and joined New Zealand First as an MP in 2017. Mr Jones was educated at St Stephen’s and has completed degrees at universities in Wellington, Western Australia, and Harvard. He has held business and public sector leadership roles such as Chairman of Sealord, our country’s first Pacific Economic Ambassador, Member of Parliament, and a Minister in government.
Qiulae Wong
Opportunity Party Leader
Qiulae Wong is Leader of the Opportunity Party and a long-time advocate for business as a force for good. Her career spans sustainable fashion in London, leading the B Corp movement in New Zealand, and consulting with KPMG for New Zealand corporates on strategic approaches that ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. Qiulae is passionate about realising the opportunities of a low-emissions, inclusive economic future for Aotearoa.
Victoria Crockford
Owner and Director, Heft Communications
Vic is the owner of Heft Communications, a strategic communications and government relations firm with teams in Wellington and Queenstown. She has previously held communications and government relations roles at Flick Electric and Z Energy, and was the CEO of housing peak body, Community Housing Aotearoa - where energy hardship and resilience issues were key. Outside of her day job, she is passionate about the arts and is on the boards of Arts Access Aotearoa and Three Lakes Cultural Trust here in Queenstown.
Mike Casey
 Chief Executive, Rewiring Aotearoa and Owner, Electric Cherries
Mike Casey is an entrepreneur and cherry orchardist from Central Otago who has successfully electrified all the machines on his farm. As CEO of the charity Rewiring Aotearoa, he is dedicated to leading the charge in electrifying millions of fossil fuel machines across the motu, aiming for a rapid transition to cleaner energy solutions. His work is pivotal in driving the electrification of the agricultural sector, reducing carbon emissions, and advancing sustainability in farming practices. 
Jo Hendy
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. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of science, policy, and economics, Jo is known for her calm, clear thinking and ability to bring people together around complex issues. She’s committed to building trust across government, business, iwi, and communities — helping decision-makers navigate uncertainty and act with confidence as the climate changes.
Kate Archer
Head of Sustainable Finance, Westpac NZ
Kate Archer is Head of Sustainable Finance at Westpac NZ, with nearly a decade of experience in sustainable finance and responsible investment. She leads Westpac NZ’s sustainable finance initiatives and works closely with business customers to support their transition and sustainability goals. Kate previously worked at the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) in Amsterdam and has held banking roles at ASB, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London.
Alec Tang
Partner at KPMG
Alec is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental and Sustainability Professionals, with a career dedicated to tackling sustainability challenges across academia, business, and the public sector. He is a Partner with KPMG New Zealand, leading its Climate, Sustainability and ESG practice, lectures on sustainable business at AUT, and sits on the External Reporting Board’s Sustainability Reporting Committee, as well as the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Climate Reference Group and the Chapter Zero New Zealand Steering Committee.
John Glover
Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor 
Resident for 25+ years, John and wife Toni have run a small hospitality business in the Whakatipu. Pre-covid, rising visitor impacts led John, as Shaping Our Future’s Executive Officer, to explore destination management. Toni drove early electrification, leading to five solar and battery installs. John says the growing interest in Electrify Queenstown shows strong community appetite for electrification.
Dr Marcos Pelenur
Chief Executive, Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA)
Dr Marcos Pelenur became Chief Executive of EECA in September 2023. Previously he worked for the Behaviour Insights Team in Ottawa, Canada and several policy leadership positions at MBIE. Marcos has a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, is a Chartered Professional Member of Engineering New Zealand and is registered as a Chartered Engineer with the UK Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). 
Danusia Wypych
CEO, Chargenet
Danusia brings deep, practical experience from across New Zealand’s energy and transport sectors, including senior leadership roles at Transpower, Z Energy and Resene Paints. She has led large‑scale transformation programmes that support electrification in the real world. At ChargeNet, Danusia has helped accelerate the national rollout of EV charging infrastructure while improving the customer experience for everyday drivers and fleets.
Dr Christina Hood
Chief Advisor, New Zealand Climate Foundation
Christina is a policy expert and public commentator with over 20 years’ experience in climate policy, energy, and carbon pricing. She brings content expertise, international networks, and skills in strategy, communications and management. Christina is currently Chief Advisor at the New Zealand Climate Foundation, where she provides thought leadership and expert technical support.
Richard Fletcher
CEO, Aurora Energy
At Aurora Energy Richard combines his leadership experience with deep knowledge of energy and infrastructure sectors. He is driving a future focused vision to enable renewable energy technologies and shape the regions energy future. Prior to Aurora Energy, he held senior roles at Powerco, Transpower, and Welsh Water PLC, and has infrastructure consulting experience across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Richard has a PHD in environmental engineering from the University of Cardiff. 
Paul Fuge
Powerswitch Manager, Consumer New Zealand
Paul Fuge has worked in the energy sector for nearly 40 years, beginning his career as an engineering cadet with the former New Zealand Electricity Department in the late 1980s. Over that time, he has held a wide range of roles in various organisations and seen the system evolve from a government‑run public service to today’s market‑driven model. For the past five years, Paul has worked at Consumer NZ managing Powerswitch, the independent energy comparison service, and advocating for fairer outcomes for electricity consumers. His experience has given him deep insights into how the energy system, markets and households interact. Paul is particularly enthusiastic about electrification as a rare opportunity to lower costs, improve resilience and reduce emissions, and is passionate about helping New Zealand households realise these benefits.
Matt Strik
Head Doozer - Operations at Farmflex and Founder of Blackcurrent
Matt Strik is a leader in energy innovation and commercial transformation, and a founder of Blackcurrent. As a key driver behind Farmlands Flex, he works at the intersection of energy, agriculture, and technology to accelerate electrification through practical, scalable models. Matt is passionate about reshaping industry systems from within—aligning incentives, lowering risk, and unlocking the value of customer-led generation aligned to real-world demand.
Ross Copland
Director & CEO, Southern Infrastructure
Respected infrastructure leader with 20 years' experience across the development, construction and operation of major assets. Ross brings sector experience spanning seven years in the ski industry – including four years in Queenstown leading the Coronet Peak team – and previously served as CEO of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, where he led the development of New Zealand's 30-year infrastructure strategy.
Dane Fisher
Group General Manager, NordEast Vehicle Distributors
Dane Fisher is a leading voice in New Zealand’s shift to electrified mobility, with a career spanning global automotive innovation, performance engineering and large scale transformation. As Group General Manager of NordEast Vehicle Distributors, Dane leads a next generation portfolio including Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Geely, Farizon and Zeekr, with a bold ambition to put 5,000 fully electrified vehicles on Kiwi roads within three years. Dane will share a candid perspective on how electrification, global innovation and local leadership can combine to deliver transport solutions people genuinely want to adopt.
Justan Clark
Programme Director Major Investments, Transpower
Justan is a programme leader in New Zealand’s energy sector, currently directing major grid investments at Transpower. He has a background in complex infrastructure delivery and focuses on making sound decisions under pressure, and drawing practical lessons from crisis situations to improve everyday major programme management.
Briony Bennett
Senior Energy Innovation Manager, Ara Ake
Briony leads Ara Ake’s flexibility and digitalisation portfolio, with deep expertise in distributed energy resources and system flexibility. Briony started her career as an electricity trading systems analyst at the European Power Exchange after completing a Masters in energy economics and policy at Sciences Po in Paris, France. She went on to work as a renewable energy policy analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance in London, U.K. before returning home to Aotearoa to make her contribution to the energy transition here. She has worked across both government and business to drive for change and innovation in our energy sector.
James Dalglish
CEO - Rental Vehicle Association
James Dalglish is a commercially astute executive, with over 25 years of experience in the rental vehicle sector. He played a key role in scaling GO Rentals into the business it is today as COO and Board Director. A respected tourism and mobility leader, James has held several senior industry governance roles and is currently Acting CEO of the Rental Vehicle Association, focused on advocacy, system leadership and sector sustainability.
Jon Duffy
Chief Executive, Consumer NZ
Jon has made a career of fighting for consumers. He has a deep interest in sustainability and the environmental impacts of consumption, data ethics and promoting equity. Jon was previously the Assistant Privacy Commissioner, Head of Trust & Safety at Trade Me and worked as a Senior Investigator at the Commerce Commission.
Mat Woods
Chief Executive, Destination Queenstown
Mat is currently the Chief Executive at Destination Queenstown & Lake Wānaka Tourism (DQ). Prior to joining DQ, Mat was Head of Sales & Services at Cardrona Alpine Resort (CARL) and Treble Cone Ski area. Mat has a strong background in governance, He is currently the Chair at Wastebusters Wānaka, Director at Regional Tourism NZ and Racers Edge in Wānaka. Recently he was on the board of Snow Sports NZ. Before joining the tourism industry, Mat had extensive experience in outdoor adventure sports retail, he was the managing director of R&R Sport before selling to The Warehouse Group, merging R&R Sport with Torpedo 7.
Dr Steve Batstone
Co-lead, Queenstown Electrification Accelerator 
Steve co-leads the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator. He has extensive and highly respected experience working throughout New Zealand's energy system for over 25 years. He co-founded Whiteboard Energy which runs training for New Zealand's energy industry from new staff to board level. He is a director of Sapere Research Group, and a board member of Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust.
Fiona Bycroft
CEO and Co-Founder of Naut
Fiona Bycroft is CEO & Co-Founder of Naut, leading the future of high-powered electric marine propulsion. With an engineering and business background, she has driven groundbreaking innovations, including the world’s first fully electric carbon fibre ocean-going ferry. Naut provides scalable, zero-emission propulsion solutions that can be installed into the boat of their customers choice. Electric boating means reduced operating costs while delivering a cleaner, quieter, and more reliable boating experience. 
Josh Ellison
Co-lead, Queenstown Electrification Accelerator 
Josh co-leads the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator. He helped establish the non-profit Rewiring Aotearoa and has authored and led its research work since its establishment. He previously led the research work of Rewiring Australia, and across the two countries has worked on energy modelling, pilot project development, regulatory reform, and community focused energy innovation. 
Hannah Patersons
Associate Director, Sustainable Finance (Corporate Advisory)
Hannah Paterson is an Associate Director in Westpac New Zealand’s sustainable finance team. Hannah has spent the last four years specialising in sustainable finance, supporting customers to establish sustainable finance programmes and align their financing to their environmental and social ambitions and strategies. 
Aimee McCammon
Managing Director of Pic's Peanut Butter
Aimee McCammon is the Managing Director of Pic’s Peanut Butter since 2023, after a decade on the advisory board. As the step-daughter of founder Pic Picot, she is the second generation of the family to manage the company. Pic’s has grown from a back yard business roasting peanuts in a concrete mixer to New Zealand’s favorite peanut butter, and is now exported around the world.
Lachlan Nixon
Founding Partner, Motion Capital
Lachlan Nixon is the Founding Partner at Motion Capital, New Zealand's leading climate-tech venture capital firm. Motion Capital invests in tech companies that help the world decarbonise. The thesis: make it cheaper to save the world than to destroy it. Fund I has raised NZ$27.2m and backed 11 companies so far, including Zethos and Factor. Lachlan also chairs Sphere, a non-profit aimed at championing NZ's climate-tech sector.
Jade Baker-Edwards
Community Energy Lead, Queenstown Electrification Accelerator
Jade specialises in energy decarbonisation and electrification, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and systems change. As part of the QEA, Jade builds programmes to support electrification across the district, shaping a just energy transition that is practical, trusted, and community led. With extensive UK experience in decarbonisation innovation and consulting, Jade has delivered numerous net zero, electrification, and energy strategies and projects, across national and local scales.
Lowri Swygart
Business Electrification Lead, Queenstown Electrification Accelerator
Lowri specialises in business electrification and decarbonisation of the built environment. As Business Electrification Lead at the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator (QEA), she supports businesses across the Queenstown–Lakes District to transition away from fossil fuels through independent advice and robust business cases that improve resilience while reducing energy costs and emissions. Trained as a Civil and Structural Engineer, Lowri brings strong technical foundations alongside international experience delivering decarbonisation strategies across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

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