Building Nations 2018 – Lifting Vision, Creating Value

Building Nations is the premier event on New Zealand’s infrastructure calendar. The two-day Symposium provides the opportunity for public and private sectors to come together to progress thinking and advance best practice in national infrastructure development. At its heart, the conference is about discussing and agreeing what must be done to ensure New Zealand’s infrastructure is not just fit-for-purpose, but that our infrastructure supports sustained improvement in the quality of life for all New Zealanders, now and into the future.

Building Nations is the forum for Ministers and key public officials to announce major infrastructure policy directions, and sets Infrastructure NZ’s agenda for action for, and on behalf of, its members.

This year, the focus areas will include: Housing, Technology, Transport Funding, Leveraging Rail, Energy, Enabling Growth, Water, Governance, Planning and Funding, Lifting Capacity and Regional Infrastructure Development.

Attended by over 550 industry and public sector leaders annually, Building Nations provides sponsors with an unparalleled opportunity for profile amongst the leaders of the country and the infrastructure industry.

For more information on Auckland and general travel information for international delegates please see the Visiting NZ page.

Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand

The Prime Minister joined the New Zealand Labour Party at age 18 and entered New Zealand’s Parliament in 2008. Over her nine years as a representative she has been a strong advocate for children, women, and the right of every New Zealander to have meaningful work. She became the MP for the Auckland electorate Mt Albert in early 2017, and the Leader of the Labour Party in August 2017. As well as Prime Minister, she holds the roles of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, an issue particularly close to her heart.

Hon Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance

Hon Grant Robertson’s belief in social justice and a desire to see every New Zealander able to achieve their potential led him to politics, and he has been the Member of Parliament for Wellington Central since 2008. Firstly, an advisor to then-Minister of Environment Marian Hobbs, then to Prime Minister Helen Clark. In Opposition, Grant was Finance Spokesperson, and has previously held spokesperson roles for Labour in Employment, Skills & Training, Economic Development, Tertiary Education, State Services, Health, and Arts, Culture & Heritage. He is now the Minister of Finance and for Sport and Recreation.

Hon Phil Twyford, Minister for Housing and Urban Development and Transport

Hon Phil Twyford’s vision is for New Zealand to deliver hope and opportunity to all people. He is committed to fixing the housing and transport problems that affect our biggest city, as well as much of the rest of the country. Phil was elected to Parliament for the Labour Party in 2008. In Opposition, he held the portfolios of Housing, Transport, Auckland Issues, and Disarmament and Arms Control. As Minister for Housing and Urban Development and Transport, Phil is looking forward to working with communities to build a better New Zealand.

Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Maori Development and Local Government

Hon Nanaia Mahuta is a mother, and a constituent MP with 20 plus years’ experience who has supported policies and initiatives that built the capacity of communities, especially social service organisations, greater investment in education, employment and training opportunities particularly for young people, supported the continuation of the Treaty Settlement process and supported specific initiatives that lift the wellbeing and opportunities for young mums and those who are vulnerable and victims of abuse. Hon Nanaia Mahuta is a tribal member of Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Hine.

Hon Shane Jones, Forestry, Infrastructure and Regional Economic Development Minister 

Shane Jones is a List MP based in Kerikeri. He was Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development, with a particular focus on fisheries, agriculture and tourism, given the significance of these resources to enhancing economic development in the region. During his nine years in Parliament, Mr Jones held positions that included Minister of Building and Construction, Associate Minister of Immigration, Associate Minister of Trade, Associate Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, and Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. His Maori tribal links are to Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto.

Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga and Leader of the Opposition

Simon Bridges is the MP for Tauranga and Leader of the National Party. In the last National-led Government, Simon held several Ministerial roles including Labour, Energy, Transport, Communications, and Economic Development so he knows the importance of a strong economy. Prior to standing for Parliament, Simon was a senior Crown Prosecutor in the District and High Courts in Tauranga. Simon has been an MP since 2008 and he and his wife Natalie live in Tauranga with their young family.

Katie Black, Head of Transport, Energy and Digital, National Infrastructure Commission London

Katie leads the Transport, Energy and Digital policy team at the National Infrastructure Commission in the UK. She joined the Commission upon its creation at the end of 2015, to work on the Commission’s initial report into the energy sector, “Smart Power” and has also published a paper looking at the relationship between technological change and infrastructure systems. Prior to this she worked in various roles across the Department of Energy and Climate Change and undertook a secondment to an electricity retailer.

Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Investment, UK Department for International Trade

Graham Stuart was elected as the Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness in 2005. He became Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade in January 2018. After university Graham developed a successful career in publishing, and was a member of Cambridge City Council from 1998 to 2004. In Parliament Graham Chaired the Education Select Committee (2010 to 2015) and was Assistant Government Whip with responsibility for the Department of Health, and later for HM Treasury and the Ministry of Defence (2016 to 2018).

Shlomo (Solly) Angel, Professor of City Planning, Marron Institute of Urban Management, NYU

Prior to joining NYU, Dr. Shlomo (Solly) Angel was a fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy of Cambridge, Massachusetts. His engagement with the Institute resulted in the publication in 2012 of his most recent book, Planet of Cities. Dr. Angel led a team of researchers that produced the Atlas of Urban Expansion—2016 Edition for Habitat III, the global conference on cities held in Quito, Ecuador in 2016, in collaboration with UN Habitat and the Lincoln Institute. In parallel, he led teams assisting cities in Colombia and Ethiopia in preparing for their rapid expansion.

Peter Reidy, Chief Executive Officer, KiwiRail

Peter Reidy brings to KiwiRail a successful track record of leading and building service and infrastructure-based businesses in the logistics, energy, building products and asset management sectors in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom. Previously Chief Operating Officer Infrastructure Services with Downer Group in Australia, Peter held several senior leadership roles with Downer Group, both in New Zealand and Australia, including Board roles on the KeolisDowner Joint Venture operating Yarra Trams in Melbourne and Gold Coast Light Rail. Prior to joining Downer Group, Peter held senior leadership roles with Fletcher Building, Todd Energy and Freightways in New Zealand.

Xi Wu, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to New Zealand

Madame Wu Xi is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue. Born in Zhejiang Province, China, Her Excellency entered the foreign service in 1990, and served at the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs in the Foreign Ministry, as Attaché, Third Secretary, Second Secretary, Deputy Division Director, Division Director, Counsellor, then Deputy Director-General. Her Excellency’s overseas postings for the People's Republic of China include Iraq (1991-1994) and Australia (1998-2001, 2006-2011). Prior to her current post, she was the Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister in the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Shane Ellsion, Chief Executive Officer, Auckland Transport

Shane Ellison has more than 20 years of global experience in senior leadership roles across the transport and infrastructure sectors in complex commercial, political and organisational environments. Since 2011, Mr Ellison has held senior executive roles in Transdev Australasia, including being the senior executive responsible for the delivery of Transdev’s operations across ferry, bus and light rail in New South Wales and Queensland. Shane Ellison has whakapapa linking him to the iwi of Ngai Tahu and Te Ati Awa.

Adrienne Young-Cooper, Chair, Housing New Zealand

Adrienne is a professional director with substantial experience on Crown, business and not for profit boards. Adrienne is a Director for Queenstown Airport Corporation Limited, Sealink Limited a Member of the New Zealand Transport Agency Board and a Trustee of Cornwall Park. She is a former Deputy Chair of Auckland Waterfront Development Agency Limited and Auckland Regional Transport Authority. Adrienne also serves on the Board of HLC, a subsidiary of Housing New Zealand. Adrienne was appointed to the Housing New Zealand Board in 2010 and has served as the Chair since 2016.

Allan Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Tasmania

Previously Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Allan was appointed as the inaugural CEO of the newly created Infrastructure Tasmania in 2015. Allan has 30 years’ experience in the political and public policy space across numerous government portfolios. He has previously worked as a Ministerial Chief of Staff and held senior executive positions in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the former Tasmanian Development and Resources.

Jim Betts, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure NSW

Jim Betts is the CEO of Infrastructure NSW, an independent statutory agency that provides specialist advice to the NSW Government on infrastructure investment and prioritisation. As part of his role at Infrastructure NSW, Jim led the development of more than 80 recommendations to Government of critical infrastructure for NSW. Jim is Chairman of Infrastructure Investor Assurance Committee, reporting to Cabinet on High Profile/ High Risk projects, while providing oversight of almost 400 projects across government registered in the Infrastructure NSW assurance database.

Anna Chau, Acting CEO, Infrastructure Australia

Anna Chau leads the on-going development of the national Infrastructure Priority List (IPL) and the assessment of project business case submissions which are considered by the IA Board for the IPL. She is a leading applied economist in infrastructure with 27 years’ professional experience, specialising in transport economics. Her contribution to the transport sector was recognised in 2017 when she was shortlisted as a finalist for the Professional Woman in Logistics and Transport Award by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA).

Michel Masson, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Victoria

Michel Masson is Chief Executive Officer at Infrastructure Victoria, an independent body responsible for delivering Victoria’s first ever 30-year infrastructure strategy. Michel started his career at Deloitte before joining the Bollore Group. In 2005 he joined Keolis as head of Finance and Operations for the International Division. Michel was appointed CEO of Yarra Trams in 2009 and helped lead the development of Keolis Downer throughout Australia, before joining the Calibre group in 2014 to create and lead its Transport Infrastructure business.

Ben Reid, Executive Director, AI Forum New Zealand

Ben Reid is an experienced technologist with a deep background in software development, ICT architecture and innovation strategy consulting. Ben is currently the Executive Director of the Artificial Intelligence Forum of New Zealand, a cross-sector organisation focused on growing New Zealand’s capabilities in AI to maximize the benefit to our economy and society. Ben is active in promoting innovation and collaboration across the growing New Zealand technology sector. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. 

David Norman, Chief Economist, Auckland Council

David Norman is Chief Economist at Auckland Council. Prior to joining Council, he worked mostly in the private sector, at Westpac, PwC and Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL). He also spent 2 years working in the construction sector at the Building Research Association of NZ (BRANZ). Prior to embarking on his economics career, David spent 7 years living and working in Taiwan and China. David will be talking about Auckland’s current housing shortfall, the pace of growth in building activity, and whether it will be enough to eat into the shortfall over the next decade.

John Marinopoulos, PwC Australia

John assists both private and government sector clients create, enhance and capture the value derived from infrastructure projects.  A statistician by background, John has driven the development of highly predictive models that are able to assess the value new infrastructure can deliver. These models are used to provide clients with evidence based insights into who would benefit most from infrastructure, and provide guidance on how these benefits can be factored into project funding.

Ross Dawson, Futurist, Entrepreneur, Strategy Advisor

Ross Dawson is globally recognised as a leading futurist, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and authority on business strategy. He is Founding Chairman of futures think-tank Future Exploration Network and ventures and publishing firm Advanced Human Technologies, and the bestselling author of four books including the acclaimed Living Networks. Strong global demand has seen him deliver keynote speeches in 30 countries, while frequent media appearances include CNN, Bloomberg TV, SkyNews, ABC TV, Today and Sunrise shows, Washington Post and many others.

Stephen Selwood, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure New Zealand

Stephen is an expert on the New Zealand infrastructure sector with a deep understanding of infrastructure governance, strategy, regulation, funding, delivery and management. Stephen will review progress on dealing with Auckland’s transport crisis and propose solutions that could be implemented today to reverse the apparently irreversible trend towards GRIDLOCK.

Karen Lyons, Director Auckland, Strategy & Investment, Ministry of Transport

Karen’s role at the Ministry is to oversee the portfolio of Auckland projects working with colleagues in both Wellington and Auckland on a wide range of Auckland initiatives.  Prior to joining the Ministry in 2017, Karen progressed a career in Auckland’s local government sector, holding a number of senior positions in economic development, strategy, and governance.  Before working in Auckland, Karen worked as an economist at the New Zealand Treasury and HM Treasury in London.

Dave Cull, President, Local Government New Zealand

Dave was appointed President of LGNZ in July 2017.  He was Vice President of LGNZ from December 2016 - July 2017 and is the Mayor of Dunedin City Council. He was elected Dunedin City Council Mayor at the 2010 local body elections. Since 2007, Dave has been heavily involved in the Dunedin community having sat on various steering groups and committees covering economic development, technology and the environment. Dave’s focus in his second term as Mayor of Dunedin is on strengthening the community and the economic capacity of the city.

Fergus Gammie, Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand Transport Agency

The Transport Agency’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie, is passionate about technology, innovation and delivering results for customers. Fergus stepped into his role in March 2016. He is a former chief executive of Auckland Regional Transport Authority, chief operating officer of Auckland Transport, as well as both deputy director general Transport Services and deputy secretary Infrastructure and Services at Transport for New South Wales.

Richard Ward, Partnerships Director, Central/Local Government Partnerships, Department of Internal Affairs

Richard is a Partnerships Director in the recently established Central-Local Government Partnerships Group within the Department of Internal Affairs. Richard leads work on infrastructure funding and financing, regional development and high growth councils as well as supporting the Three Waters Review. Richard has previously spent several years in the National Infrastructure Unit in the NZ Treasury, including leading the development of the 2015 New Zealand Infrastructure Plan and establishing the Treasury’s Auckland Coordinator role.

David Hermans, Policy Director, Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment

David is an Auckland-based Policy Director in MBIE’s Housing and Urban Branch, where he provides strategic policy leadership across the Government’s broad housing and urban development work programme. Prior to joining MBIE in 2014, David held policy roles with a number of government departments in Auckland, Wellington and Canberra, including the Ministry for the Environment and the New Zealand Treasury.

Duncan Kenderdine, Executive General Manager, Strategy and Development, Downer

A former architect with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Duncan has led large multi-disciplinary D&C teams on a variety of partnering and alliance type contracts. His leadership experience ranges from leading the design and delivery of iconic transportation projects through to advising on the delivery of important infrastructure for the Kaikoura rebuild. Under his leadership, Duncan has contributed to the delivery of complex, collaborative projects such as Memorial Park Alliance (MPA), Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild and Caversham Highway ECI.

Bill Cashmore, Deputy Mayor of Auckland

Deputy Mayor Cashmore has been an elected member since 2010. Spatial planning, infrastructure, transport and project financing feature heavily in Bill Cashmore’s focus areas, with an interest in planned and cohesive infrastructure delivery. The Deputy Mayor can contribute to the strategic planning and delivery of infrastructure, in a way that meets the needs of Auckland’s people, visitors and businesses. Bill Casmore has a forthright and collaborative approach, utilising key relationships with central government and its agencies, private sector organisations and communities. In doing so, planned infrastructure is fit for purpose, helping Auckland to grow in a way that is productive.

Lance Glare, Director - Infrastructure Policy and Governance, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Lance Glare’s role involves reforming how major infrastructure is planned, prioritised and delivered in WA. This includes leading the establishment of Infrastructure WA, a new independent body Government has committed to set up to improve infrastructure planning in WA. Lance has over 20 years of experience across all three levels of Government, including leading the development of the Queensland Infrastructure Plan and an associated Economic Development Strategy. He holds qualifications in public administration, project management and the built environment.

Chris Hertle, Market Leader - Water, Australia, GHD

Chris Hertle is a Chemical Engineer with over 30+ years’ experience in municipal and industrial water and wastewater management and solid waste management. He has been responsible for successfully implementing innovative wastewater treatment schemes for municipal and industrial clients and has a passion for challenging designs and coming up with alternative approaches that are cost effective. He has assisted GHD role out their internal Innovation platform and helped grow the Innovation Interchange.

Patrick Brockie, Chair, Infrastructure New Zealand

Patrick is Chairman of Infrastructure New Zealand a role he has held since 2015. From 2010 to 2018 Patrick was Head of Loans & Specialised Finance for ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited responsible for specialised finance products particularly as they relate to mergers and acquisitions and project financing. Prior to ANZ Patrick had a 20 year career with Citibank based in New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and London with his last position as Managing Director and Global Head of Export & Agency Finance and Trade Head for Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Anthony Simmons, Principal Transport Planner, Aurecon

Anthony Simmons is one of Aurecon's Transport Planning Leaders, is based in Brisbane, Australia and has over 17 years of experience. His experience spans Australia and the United States and includes planning multiple light rail corridors in Houston USA, Perth Western Australia and the Gold Coast in Queensland. He has extensive experience in infrastructure business case development, strategic and integrated multimodal transport initiatives and strategic policy development. He has specific experience integrating land use and transport solutions.

Leonie Freeman, Managing Director, Crest Consultancy Ltd

Leonie Freeman is a business futurist, housing strategist, entrepreneur and professional speaker. In the past 8 years she has focused on a contribution in the public sector which included being brought into Housing New Zealand as the General Manager of Development with responsibility to manage change. This broadened her social housing experience and at the request of then Minister of Finance, led a strategic review of the Social Housing Programme 2 years ago. Leonie was a finalist in the recent Westpac Women of Influence Awards.

David Walker, Market Leader -
New Zealand, GHD Advisory‎

David has extensive water industry client and advisory experience, including restructuring and transformational change. As a commercial advisor at PwC, David was project director in 2008/9 for the development of the Watercare Services Limited integration plan.  In 2013/14 he assisted PwC Ireland in their role as advisor to the establishment of Irish Water, a single utility providing water and sewerage services to the whole country. Since joining GHD as Market Leader - Advisory, he is continuing to provide sector leadership and advice

Sarah Lang, Project Director, Infrastructure New Zealand

Sarah Lang is the Project Director at Infrastructure NZ, New Zealand’s peak infrastructure body. Sarah is responsible for strategic partnerships, business development activities and member engagement at Infrastructure NZ. The founder of the Women’s Infrastructure Network in NZ, Sarah has led the growth of the network to over 1000 members, spread across five chapters nationwide, with a sixth in the pipeline for Otago. Sarah has been nominated as a finalist for the Women of Influence Awards 2018.

Paul Goodwin, Managing Director,
ANZ Institutional New Zealand
‎

Paul leads ANZ’s Institutional business in New Zealand. The Institutional business manages large client relationships and provides specialised markets, transactional and financing products and solutions to the bank's customers. In doing so, it supports some of New Zealand’s largest companies operating in a wide range of industries, both in New Zealand and offshore. Paul has more than 25 years’ experience in banking and finance and has been with ANZ New Zealand since 2004, where he was previously Head of Institutional Relationships. 

Karl Nicholson, Head of Resources, Energy & Infrastructure and Project & Finance, Institutional Banking, ANZ

Karl joined ANZ in 2006 and was appointed to run the Structured Export Finance and Project Finance businesses for ANZ NZ in 2009. He has extensive experience in the New Zealand market having participated in most of New Zealand’s PPP transactions and large Export Credit Financings. Karl also took responsibility of the Structured Asset Book in 2012. In 2018 Karl took responsibility for ANZ’s Resources, Energy & Infrastructure team. Prior to ANZ, Karl worked in the structured finance market, executing both domestic and cross border funding and investment transactions in London.

Bronwyn Carruthers, Partner - Environment, Planning & Natural Resources, Russell McVeagh

Bronwyn is an environmental law specialist, with expertise in all aspects of resource management and environmental law, as well as public and local government law. She has 11 years' experience acting for territorial local authorities, and more recently 7 years for infrastructure providers and developers. Bronwyn is the convenor of the NZLS Environmental Law Committee, and has been recognised by Doyles Guide 2018 as a preeminent lawyer for Environment and Resource Management.

Kim Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc

Kim Campbell was appointed Chief Executive in October 2011. His career in New Zealand and overseas has been in manufacturing and exporting businesses in a variety of industries and geographies including ICI, Trigon Plastics, Masport and New Image in New Zealand; and the Hong Kong based Zuellig Group for 13 years. He has served on numerous private and public boards during a career spanning 35 years. His current directorships include Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, ASEAN NZ Combined Business Council, Auckland Business Advisory Group.

Nadine Higgins, MC Building Nations

Nadine Higgins (nee Chalmers-Ross) is a freelance journalist and presenter, following 12 years featuring on New Zealand TV screens and airwaves. She currently writes a column for the Sunday Star Times, regularly fills in as a host on Newstalk ZB and as an anchor on TV3’s The Project, and does a variety of writing and PR contracts. Nadine is also a popular MC for conferences and events. This is her 4th year hosting Building Nations.

Grant Hodges, NZ Infrastructure & Transactions Leader, EY

Grant leads the EY Transactions and Infrastructure Advisory teams in New Zealand, is a member of EY New Zealand’s management board and a Board member of INZ. He brings over 20 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure projects, for both public and private sector clients. Grant has advised on major infrastructure business cases and procurements in the UK and NZ. Prior to joining EY worked in industry bringing together consortia to bid major infrastructure and service projects.

David Holden, Partner, Anderson Lloyd

David is a specialist infrastructure and construction lawyer with more than 15 years' experience in New Zealand and the UK, advising on social and economic infrastructure, power generation and construction projects.  David joined Anderson Lloyd as a partner in July 2014 having been a partner at Russell McVeagh in Auckland.  David has advised on all the New Zealand PPP projects to date, as well as numerous projects in the UK, where he worked for eight years, including projects procured through the PFI, LIFT and BSF programmes.

Paul Blair, Head of Institutional Banking, Bank of New Zealand

As well as Head of Institutional Banking, Paul Blair is a Director of Infrastructure New Zealand. He leads a team of 80 people responsible for NZ’s largest companies and financial institutions. Paul represents a leading infrastructure bank, specialising in PPP’s, local and central government financing, debt capital markets, and hedging.

Hayley Ellison, Technical Leader - Urban Development, Harrison Grierson

Hayley is a specialist in mixed-use regeneration of brownfield and technically constrained sites. She has over 20 years’ experience working on high-profile and large-scale urban regeneration projects, particularly in London. These delivered thousands of new homes, including affordable housing; offered job creation, and new public and private amenities; and enhanced public spaces.  Hayley recently joined Harrison Grierson to lead its urban development team, helping to provide solutions to housing and regeneration issues across New Zealand.

Raveen Jaduram, Chief Executive Officer, Watercare

Raveen Jaduram has been Chief Executive of Watercare Services Limited since November 2014.  His past roles include heading Maintenance Services, the business unit that provides operations and maintenance support to Watercare. He has been the managing director and chief executive of Australian private water company Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited. Raveen is currently on the Steering Group of the Business Leaders’ Health & Safety Forum and chairs the Centre for Infrastructure Research, University of Auckland.

Raynor McMahon, Executive Director, Head of Loan Product, ‎Westpac Institutional Bank

Raynor’s team has responsibility for the origination and structuring of all forms of debt product for Westpac Institutional Bank. Westpac’s project finance team has been a market leader in structuring of finance into PPPs and more recently the crown social housing transfers. Raynor is also responsible for leading Westpac’s social & affordable housing sustainability strategy which seeks to assist the development and growth of private sector social housing capability in New Zealand. 

Sarah Sinclair, Partner - Construction, MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Sarah is a transactional, contracting and projects lawyer with expertise in corporate and commercial law, including periods as an in-house corporate advisor in Infrastructure sectors in NZ and the UK. She is a Partner and board member at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, as well as a board member of Infrastructure NZ. Sarah has over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure and projects, advising on large scale construction, engineering and infrastructure projects.

Grant McKeown, Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking, China Construction Bank

Grant is the Head of Corporate & Institutional banking at China Construction Bank in New Zealand. He has responsibility for the bank’s strategic client business of which infrastructure is a key component, and has played a key role in establishing the bank’s NZ operations from 2015. In particular Grant led the team which won a landmark Mandated Lead Arranger role for the bank in a transport infrastructure PPP. This team also won the 2017 INFINZ Debt Deal of the year which provided an innovative solution involving private and public sector stakeholders in a green field project financing.

Andrew Body, Country Manager, Advisian New Zealand

Andrew began his career in the Government Transport sector as a Policy Analyst for the Ministry of Transport, and then as Policy and Strategy Manager at Transfund NZ. Andrew has consultancy experience in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, the UK and the Middle East, with a focus on infrastructure strategy development, pricing, funding and financing, business case development and procurement frameworks.

Leah Singer, Director, Entwine Ltd

An independent consultant operating under her own brand entwine, Leah has extensive experience in both architectural practice and main contracting. Leah has an extremely dynamic skill set and is passionate about improving the efficiency and effectiveness of both the construction industry and our built environment. It is this passion that has led her into the strategic research space where she is able to leverage an Architecture degree and an MBA to provide objective insights into the realities of improving government procurement.

Hamish Glenn, Policy Director, Infrastructure New Zealand

Hamish leads policy development at Infrastructure New Zealand. He has an extensive understanding of infrastructure planning, funding and delivery models, growth management and national regulatory frameworks. He represents the infrastructure sector on a number of national and regional fora and in industry publications. Hamish was lead author on Infrastructure New Zealand’s most recent report Enabling Growth: Lessons from the USA which calls for a major overhaul of domestic decision making to address New Zealand’s failing urban development system.

Stuart Crosby, Vice President, LGNZ and Councillor, ‎Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Stuart Crosby has had over 30 years’ experience in the local government sector including 12 years as mayor of Tauranga. He is currently a member of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and is the Vice President of Local Government New Zealand. Stuart is experienced in both public and private sector governance. He is currently a director of Rotorua Airport and a consulting and professional development company for the local government sector.

Margaret Devlin, Professional Director, Chair, Women in Infrastructure Network

Margaret Devlin is a professional company director, working primarily in the infrastructure and service sector. She is currently chairman of Watercare, Harrison Grierson and Chair Elect of Lyttleton Port. Margaret is also a director of Aurora Energy, Hamilton Airport, Met Services NZ and IT Partners Group. She is a Councillor on Waikato University and WINTEC and a member of the National Infrastructure Board.

Rob Ward, Managing Director Head of Advisory, Australian Structured Finance Office, MUFG Bank

Rob is responsible for MUFG’s Advisory activities in Australia and New Zealand. He has over 20 years’ experience in structured finance, in bank and capital markets and has worked on more than 20 PPPs across social and transport infrastructure. Rob has been responsible for market defining transactions in Australia, PNG, Russia and Kazakhstan.

Dr Greg Severinsen,Senior Policy Researcher, ‎EDS

Greg holds a PhD in resource management law from Victoria University of Wellington. Prior to joining EDS, Greg practised in resource management law at a major New Zealand law firm and worked as a policy analyst at the Ministry for the Environment. Over the last decade he has published, presented and taught both at home and abroad on a range of resource management and environmental law topics. Greg’s primary focus at EDS is on the Resource Management Reform project, which is looking at the future of our resource management system.

Jon Grayson, Deputy Secretary Financial & Commercial, The Treasury

Jon is responsible for Financial Operations, Commercial Operations, and the Infrastructure and Housing Group. Jon has held senior executive roles within the public and private sectors spanning over 25 years. Jon has a strong background in capital markets and investment in major infrastructure assets. Most recently, Jon had responsibility for driving a major public sector reform program as Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet with the Queensland Government.

Her Worship the Mayor of Rotorua, ‎
Hon Steve Chadwick

The Honourable Steve (Stephanie) Chadwick has been Mayor of Rotorua since 2013. Mayor Chadwick has been a strong influence on Rotorua Lakes Council’s new way of doing business that includes a strong focus on partnership. Under her leadership Rotorua has undergone a programme of revitalisation – Vision 2030 – and has confirmed its position as one of New Zealand’s foremost tourist destinations. Mayor Chadwick has also been instrumental in Rotorua becoming the first city in New Zealand to become a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact - Cities Programme.

Tommy Parker, General Manager - Infrastructure, Fletcher Construction

Tommy has been a leader in infrastructure planning and delivery for over two decades.  In his new role with Fletcher Construction he will lead reshaping of the business to meet the nation’s infrastructure challenges. Joining Fletcher from the New Zealand Transport Agency, he well understands the company’s strategic position in the industry and is passionate about the potential for well-planned infrastructure to positively improve lives. Leading Highways and Network Operations for the agency, Tommy managed large-scale national and regional projects.

Nick Hudson, Economic & Policy Director, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia

Nick Hudson is the Director of Economics and Policy at Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA), a government and industry funded think tank and executive network for Australia’s infrastructure sector. In his role at IPA, Nick leads the policy development program, coving areas such as transport policy, freight market reform, economic regulation and data analytics. Nick also led the design and implementation of the Australia and New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline (ANZIP). Prior to joining IPA, Nick worked on a national infrastructure funding program for the Commonwealth Government.

Leigh Kissick, Senior Associate, Chapman Tripp

Leigh is a Senior Associate in our Chapman Tripp team with specialist expertise in project finance, including large infrastructure projects. She has advised the Government on all of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in New Zealand to date, including the Auckland South Corrections Facility at Wiri, the Transmission Gully Motorway, the Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway and the Schools PPP 2 and PPP 3 projects. Before Chapman Tripp, Leigh worked for another major New Zealand law firm for 10 years.

Lauren Whitehead, Senior Associate, Bell Gully

Lauren Whitehead is a senior associate in Bell Gully's infrastructure and projects team. Lauren joined Bell Gully from a leading global firm in Australia where she started building her experience in large scale infrastructure projects, acting for both state and local governments and for the private sector. Recently, Lauren has become an integral part of many important New Zealand infrastructure projects — notably advising Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in relation to the development of its commercial and legal model for financing bulk water and transport infrastructure and advising CIP on the rural broadband and mobile blackspot initiatives.

Andre Botha, Chief Networks Officer, Vector

Andre is Vector’s Chief Networks Officer, accountable for Vector’s regulated electricity and gas businesses. He brings 28 years’ experience in the energy sector with a proven track record at executive level, initially as Chief Engineer with Eskom in South Africa and most recently as Chief Operations Officer with Western Power in Australia. Andre holds a ME (Electrical) degree from the University of Pretoria and a PGDip (Finance) from the University of Auckland.

Clint Cantrell, Water Sector Director, Tonkin + Taylor

Clint Cantrell serves as the Water Sector Director for Tonkin + Taylor. In this role he leverages his international experience in planning, design and implementation of Three Waters infrastructure to support clients across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands. His speciality is working with clients at the initial stages of strategy, planning, options development and consenting – and has a strong track record of delivering successful outcomes on several iconic programmes such as Auckland’s Central Interceptor, the Mangere Master Plan, Sydney Water’s revised wastewater overflow programme, and the ongoing Safe Swim programme for Auckland Council.

Tracey Ryan, Business Director - Clients & Markets, Infrastructure, Beca

Tracey’s career to-date has been based on business growth, leading enterprise wide multi-disciplinary teams and creating inclusive and engaged cultures. She has very broad experience across governance, leadership, strategy, performance management and stakeholder engagement and communication. She has held senior roles and directorships in a number of global professional services companies and not-for–profit foundations which provided technical, fundraising and pro-bono support for social enterprises committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable world. She is also currently on the advisory board for NZ Women in Infrastructure.

Tony Pike, Country Manager New Zealand, CPB Contractors

With over 20 years operational experience working as a professional engineer in the civil and building sectors in New Zealand Tony Pike leads CPB construction operations here in New Zealand as Country Manager. He champions the highest standards in Health and Safety culture, building strong teams and delivering value to clients. Tony’s esteemed industry representation, most recently being nominated as VP on CCNZ Executive Council, includes governance on a number of civil projects at CPB including the Transmission Gully Wellington Gateway Partnership project, and the Baylink Upgrade project in Tauranga.

John-Paul Rice, Partner, Banking & Finance, Russell McVeagh

John-Paul is a specialist in corporate and project finance, and acts for sponsors and financiers on major infrastructure projects. John-Paul has acted on most of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) transactions in New Zealand (including the Waikeria, Puhoi, Schools 3 and Transmission Gully projects acting for the financiers), and his recent work includes social housing developments and irrigation and oil and gas project work. Prior to Russell McVeagh, John-Paul worked at leading Australian and UK law firms, including a three year stint at Herbert Smith Freehills in Perth.

Ed Dunphy, Partner, Property & Construction, Anthony Harper

Construction is one of the fastest moving sectors in New Zealand and Anthony Harper’s team is at the heart of it - working with owners, developers, consultants, contractors and subcontractors to help them keep pace with ever changing demands. Ed is internationally renowned for his construction, infrastructure and property experience, and is highly praised for his 'great technical and practical advice'. He is named as a 'Leading Individual' in the 2016, 2017 & 2018 Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide. This is the highest accolade awarded and represents a lawyer who has reached the heights of their profession.

Moira Lawler, Chief Executive Officer, Lifewise

Moira Lawler is the Chief Executive Officer of Lifewise. She is responsible for a range of health, education and social services, as well as collaborative community projects. Moira has a background in community and economic development and is a Board member of Community Housing Aotearoa, the peak body for community housing providers. Lifewise provide a range of services in the community and work with people to create sustainable solutions to complex issues. Current focus areas include alternatives to foster care, new pathways to permanent housing for youth and adults experiencing homelessness, and options to combat loneliness in older adults.

Matt Ensor, Business Director - Advisory Services, Beca

Matt has more than 20 years’ experience in infrastructure, technology and strategy consulting roles. He is a Business Director in Beca’s Advisory practice and leads their BECA.AI initiative, using Artificial Intelligence to innovate, provide value and create better solutions in infrastructure planning, programming and initiatives. Matt’s qualifications are in engineering and social science and he has a long-running interest in the impact of socio-technical changes.

Dr Eric Crampton, Chief Economist, NZ Initiative

Dr Eric Crampton is Chief Economist with the New Zealand Initiative in Wellington. He previously served as lecturer and senior lecturer in economics at the University of Canterbury. He has supervised much of the Initiative’s recent work on local government and housing affordability. His commentary on local government, housing, and infrastructure financing issues appears regularly in popular media including the National Business Review, The New Zealand Herald, the Spinoff and Interest.co.nz.

Bernard Hickey, Economic & Political Commentator, Parliamentary Press Gallery

Bernard Hickey is an economic and political commentator based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. His day job is as the Managing Editor of Newsroom Pro, the subscription news part of the Newsroom operation. He has covered economics, markets, politics and business in New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Singapore and Asia for the last 30 years, and has worked for Reuters, the Financial Times Group, Fairfax and Interest.co.nz. He’s now a ‘journo-preneur’ helping to build a national news and analysis service. He has a particular interest in housing affordability and infrastructure funding.

Katja Lietz, General Manager Masterplanning and Placemaking, HLC

Katja is a sustainable urban development professional with 20 years experience. Her career has spanned local government, freelance research and for the last ten years property development. At Hobsonville Point she has led the development and implementation of the Hobsonville Point Sustainable Development Framework and the Axis Series Affordable Homes Programme. Katja has a passion for housing, sustainability and placemaking. She has recently been part of the Wellington Mayor’s Housing Taskforce and the Beacon Pathway’s Medium Density Advisory Group.

Michael Fulton, National Development Manager, Fulton Hogan

Michael has extensive experience in project governance, management and procurement and engineering. A skilled relationship builder, he has recently acted as Key Account Manager and Project Director on collaborative partnerships to deliver capital works and maintenance contracts. Michael is a highly experienced engineer, whose previous roles include three years as the company’s Christchurch Operations Manager.  He was responsible for leading Fulton Hogan’s response to the Christchurch earthquakes through 2010-2012. Michael is also the Chairman for the Hydrogen Energy Association.

Karen Hou, Chief Executive Officer, ICBC New Zealand

Qian Hou (Karen) is the Chief Executive Officer of ICBC New Zealand. She has been working in ICBC Group, the largest bank in the world, for over 29 years. Qian is an experienced banking senior executive with proven record in leadership, governance, strategy development with comprehensive international insight. She is also an expert in banking businesses such as Credit Operation, Guarantee Business and International Finance. Having an experience of over 29 years, Qian has facilitated and contributed in many Infrastructure Projects. ICBC (NZ) Limited helps in bridging New Zealand and China by providing financial service for bilateral trade and investment.

Scott Evans, General Manager - Design Centre Regions, WSP Opus

As General Manager of WSP Opus’s regional offices, Scott is responsible for a team of over 570 engineering, planning, surveying and laboratory staff from Whangarei to Invercargill. He believes the benefit of having teams located in the communities they serve is that they understand the risks, challenges and opportunities as well as being invested in the success. Scott is Project Director for many long-term contracts and sits on supplier governance boards. Prior to his current role, Scott was North East Area Manager within the Regional Business and Business Manager of Tauranga.

Tara Macmillan, Senior Manager, Procurement, New Zealand Transport Agency

Tara Macmillan has had over 15 years’ experience in Supply Chain and procurement related disciplines across Australia and New Zealand. Over the past 12 years Tara has held senior supply chain and leadership roles across a number of industries, including Grocery, Mining, and the Electricity industry. Five months ago, Tara entered the Transport sector, joining the New Zealand Transport Agency to lead procurement across the Agency, with a key focus on infrastructure procurement delivery.

Dean Kimpton, President, Engineering New Zealand

Dean is the current President of Engineering NZ, our country’s peak engineering body representing over 22,000 professional engineers. He is also Auckland Councils Chief Operating Officer, Australasia’s largest local authority, with over $45Bn of assets, and responsible for supporting Auckland’s growth and delivering on Aucklanders’ service expectations.  This includes oversight of infrastructure, housing, civil defence, regulatory approvals and compliance activities, and day-to-day public facing services for example libraries, waste and environmental services, parks and leisure centres.

Graeme Hurn, Executive General Manager, Programmed Facility Management (New Zealand/Australia)

Graeme is a Facility Management professional, with extensive experience in the FM space: an industry encompassing multiple disciplines unified to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology. He has a very successful track record in leading large businesses with a strong focus on commercials, general management, leadership and strategy. Prior to his current role at Programmed, Graeme worked as a senior executive at Cushman & Wakefield, DTZ, UGL, NAB and Telstra Corporation.