Todd McClay is the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Minister for Trade, and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs. He has been the MP for Rotorua since 2008.

Todd held several Ministerial roles in the Fifth National Government with portfolios including Trade, State-Owned Enterprises and Revenue.

Todd has previously been a diplomat and was the Cook Islands and Niue Ambassador to the European Union. He has worked in business in Europe as well as government and public relations internationally.

John is the General Manager at NZ Forest Managers and has been with the company since its inception in 1989. John is responsible for overseeing NZFM operations and ensuring efficiency, quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources. This includes over 300 staff and contractors that carry out NZFM’s full range of operations.

John oversaw one of NZ’s largest windthrow salvage operations in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, with over 3.3 million m3 of logs recovered from 6,700 hectares in the short space of 16 months. This was achieved while ensuring environmental sensitivities were considered and high standards were maintained for health and safety across all aspects of the salvage effort. This achievement was recognised with the awarding of the New Zealand Forester of the Year award in 2024.

Tim is General Manager Forests – Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd an integrated forest product company that specializes in the sustainable production of logs, pulp and lumber. Established in 1971, we continue to grow, process and deliver quality radiata products to both our domestic and international markets.

As GM Tim has responsibility for trading or transporting approximately 1.8M tonnes of logs annually. Prior to this role he spent 12 years as Pan Pac’s Strategic Planning Manager for the wider Pan Pac group, playing an important role in setting and implementing the growth and direction of Pan Pac.

With 43 years of experience in the New Zealand Forestry sector, he has been fortunate to work across all levels of the industry’s operational supply chain including; securing land and trees, planting and growing tree crops, planning, engineering, harvesting, sales and marketing, while at the same time developing a sound understanding of solid wood processing, international logistics, mechanical pulp and lumber markets.

From a resilience perspective as a young forest supervisor in Tokomaru Bay he experienced Cyclone Bola first hand and now toward the end of his career he has experienced Cyclone Gabrielle first hand.

“Making our district a better place to live in, and to give our community a clear voice.”

Hailing from the heart of Wairoa, Mayor Craig Little is passionate about his community. With a background as a farmer and a former electrician, he got involved in local government because he wanted to improve his community and make sure their voices were heard loud and clear. He finds it fulfilling to see his community prosper and grow and sees the importance of advocating for remote places that can — in his words — be forgotten about. 

For Craig, local government isn't just important —it's essential. He values how it takes into account the distinctive needs of each community, needs that might escape the notice of central government. He believes local government is the bridge that connects unique communities to the bigger picture. 

Craig believes diversity and collaboration can build communities and that by working together and encouraging businesses to be mindful and complement each other, small rural communities like Wairoa will grow and prosper.   

James Palmer is the Secretary for the Environment (from 1 March 2023). Since 2017 he has been Chief Executive of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, having previously served as the Council’s Group Manager Strategic Development, responsible for regional planning. During this time James has been involved in national policy development on freshwater and resource management reform, a member of the Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group and a board member of the Sustainable Seas and Deep South national science challenges.

Prior to working at the Council, James was Deputy Secretary Sector Strategy at the Ministry for the Environment and Director Strategy at both the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry before that. Between 2005 and 2008 James served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity, and was an advisor in the Labour-led government between 1999 and 2003, including on resource management, climate change and energy policy.

Kelvin Meredith is the New Zealand Country Manager for Ingka Investments, leading the company’s strategic initiatives and operations in the region. With a strong background in management and a commitment to sustainability, Kelvin oversees Ingka’s local growth.

Kelvin has had a long and varied career in the NZ Forest Industry.  He has a strong operational background in forest harvesting and engineering and was involved in the revision of the NZ Forest Engineering manual associated Operators Guides.  Kelvin also has extensive Environmental management experience and has been involved in numerous Regional and District council plan changes and processes.  Kelvin sat as a key member of the NZFOA Environment Committee for a number of years and helped with the development the NESPF and FSC and PEFC NZ standards. 

Kelvin has an acute awareness of the issues currently facing the industry following cyclonic weather events.  He brings a pragmatic approach to balancing environmental and economic outcomes whilst maintaining our social license to operate.

Rob de Fégely AM, MSc, FFA, FAICD is a registered forestry professional.  He holds several non-executive board roles including Chair of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Director of Forestry Corporation of NSW and the Bega Circularity Co-operative Inc.  He is an Advisory Board member of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) Forest Investment Trust.  He was formerly Chair of the Commonwealth Governments Forest Industry Advisory Council and a Non-Executive Director of VicForests.  He is a past President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia (now Forestry Australia) and an Advisory Board Member of the Commonwealth Forestry Association.  He has an interest in indigenous forest management and was the foundation Chair of Cape York Timber. He has worked in plantations and natural forests for 45 years and undertaken projects in every state and territory in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific. He specialises in governance and industry strategy and investment. He has a BSc (Forestry) from the Australian National University and an MSc from Aberdeen University in the UK. He is a Fellow of Forestry Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He and his wife Sarah live on a small beef and sheep farm on the far south coast of NSW.

As a journalist for more than 40 years Janet Wilson has worked for radio, television and print in New Zealand, Australia and the UK in a number of roles including as a general reporter, current affairs reporter, line-up producer and acting executive producer. 

She has presented everything from the ABC News in Brisbane to 3News's Nightline and Target programmes to 60 Minutes New Zealand.

For the past 18 years Janet has run her own communications consultancy which counts among its clientele business leaders, politicians and NGOs

Currently working as a Technical Operations Coordinator for Pan Pac Forest Products. I graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Forestry Science (Honours) from UC School of Forestry.

Since uni I have led a study on woody debris deposition after Cyclone Gabrielle, presented our findings at the Enviro Forestry conference, and led major land clearance projects across Hawke's Bay as the Woody Debris Recovery Manager for the Sediment and Debris Recovery Taskforce. Working alongside forestry and civil contractors to optimise the clean-up process was an interesting challenge but led to some insights that should be shared with the industry. This work led to the development of shredded wood for roading in the forest estate that Pan Pac is trialling, which originated from utilising the wood as a road surface to aid trucks in clearing sediment and debris from properties affected by flooding, as a mud and dust suppressant on to highways, and to form cheap working hardstands for cyclone processing sites around Hawke’s Bay. All of this meant very little wood needed to be burnt to waste during the land clearance phase.

Neil Woods is the CEO of Aratu Forests, located on the East Coast of New Zealand. With over four decades of experience in the forestry sector, Neil has been instrumental in guiding Aratu’s through the recovery and adjustments needed to refocus the business since the destruction caused by Cyclone’s Hale and Gabrielle that hit the region in early 2023. Neil played a key role where he played a key role in helping Aratu and the East Coast start the recovery. Neil’s expertise in forest management and his commitment to the region’s environmental and economic resilience continue to define his work, driving Aratu’s vision for sustainable forestry in New Zealand.

Founding managing editor of NZ Logger Magazine from 2002-2006 and public relations consultant for Nelson Forests (now OneFortyOne) for nine years, Jacquie Boer has operated her own multi-award-winning PR consultancy (WPR) based in Nelson since 2012. WPR specialises in forestry and infrastructure and its current clients include NZIF conference sponsor Radiata Pine Breeding Company and Taylors Contracting (which has a Forestry infrastructure division). Jacquie is a Director of Innovative Waste Kaikōura and a board member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand. She is also a PRINZ Fellow and holds an internationally recognised accreditation in public relations.

Ricky Kuru established Kuru Contracting Limited in 1997 with his father Jack in Tolaga Bay. Ricky and his wife Leanne purchased the company in 2012.

Over 25 years experience and knowledge that has been integral in the development of unique roading construction used on the East Coast forestry industry.

Kuru Contracting Limited have 145 employees over 6 Divisions extending across various industries on the East Coast and Hakes Bay regions – forestry, heavy haulage, quarrying, civil, traffic and logistics.

These skills and knowledge were effective and efficient in the construction of the new bypass  Pourou Road , reconnecting state highway 35 after Cyclone Gaberielle.

Kuru Contracting is a local company that is committed to supporting improvements and initiatives on the East Coast, with the aim to build closer safer communities and provide a sense of whanau.

Julian is the current chair of the Eastland Wood Council and has been involved in the forest industry since 1979 as a scrub cutter and planter while still at school.

After qualifying as a Forest Ranger in 1985 he started a forest management consulting firm in Gisborne-Kohntrol Forest Services Ltd. Over a 35 year period the company grew to manage more than 10 000has of forest and exporting 150,000-200,000mt of logs annually.

Having been through several cycles of economic and weather-related highs and lows he remains committed to continuing to promote forestry in the region as a legitimate land use. There is a real opportunity of the region to advance the concept of a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable industry well into the future. However, the settings to allow this to happen will take a cooperative, experience, and science-based approach.

Julian was one of the original members of the Eastland Wood Council and has previously been the Chair 2001-2010. Other Board/Trust appointments include: Eastland Network, Wharerata Forests Ltd, Gisborne Stevedoring Ltd, Eastland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Sally Strang is a respected leader in the environmental and sustainability sectors at Manulife New Zealand. With a strong focus on environmental stewardship, Sally plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable practices within the organisation’s forestry and natural resource management portfolios. Her expertise lies in integrating environmental sustainability with business operations, ensuring Manulife’s investments contribute to long-term ecological balance. Sally is deeply committed to fostering positive environmental outcomes, particularly in the areas of carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and sustainable forestry management across New Zealand.

Chris Phillips is a Senior Researcher in the Soils & Landscape Processes Team at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln. He has over 40 years research experience in the fields of erosion processes, how vegetation mitigates erosion, and in integrated catchment management. He obtained his PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Canterbury in 1989 and earlier degrees from Otago and Waikato Universities. In the early part of his career, he studied the relationship between geology and geomorphology and the implications for forest management in the Gisborne-East Coast region. Since then, he has been involved in a wide range of research projects the most recent of which, was a 5-year MBIE research programme ‘Smarter targeting of Erosion Control’ which he led. Describing himself as a “generalist, he is passionate about making science useful and ensuring people know what can and can’t be managed.

Thomas is the Planning Manager at NZ Forest Managers. He has a BForSc from the University of Canterbury and has worked for NZFM since 2012, first as a planner in the Forestry team and has managed the Planning team since 2022. Thomas is responsible for all planning and technical activities and oversees development of strategic plans, work programmes and budgets across the forests managed by NZFM.

16 years SOF looking after Forest Engineering, and now Head of Forestry. Prior to that 8 years at a University in the USA (Virginia Tech), 3 years in the Austrian Alps and 5 years at Logging Industry Research Organisation (Rotorua).

For research, primary interest has been harvesting in steep terrain, covering all aspects from system efficiency, safety, environmental performance and infrastructure design.

Campbell Harvey

6 years SOF, initially as PhD student now as lecturer. Prior to that 5 years at PF Olsen managing operations in Canterbury and Marlborough

For research, primary interest has been harvest residues and bio-energy, also technology applications into all aspects of forest operations.

Penny currently works for Pāmu (Landcorp) as a Forestry Business Manager responsible for Pāmu’s production forests in the North Island.  Previously she worked as a Forest Manager for PF Olsen.  Penny and her husband farm a 320ha sheep and beef property in Central Hawkes Bay and in a previous life started up a plant nursery and continued this for 15 years while running a silviculture crew for five years and completing an environmental science degree.  

Penny's speciality revolves around the planning, creating and management of forests that include the use of alternative species alongside P. radiata using the different skills she has obtained through farming, forestry, business, and environmental thinking to solve large scale landscape problems.

Currently, Penny's focus has been on the East Coast of the North Island and Northland where many of us are grappling with issues such as erosion and falling farm profits and are looking for alternative ways to protect the land and still make an economic return.

Meg Graeme is a consultant ecologist with 27 years’ experience. Her work currently focuses on wetlands, plantation forestry and landscape restoration. She is the project manager of the Tāne's Tree Trust Transitioning exotic forest to native research supported by a 5-year MPI Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures grant.  Meg is involved in a variety of environmental community projects and is a member of the Standards Development Group that reviewed the NZ Forest Stewardship Council Standard 2023.  www.ecologist.nz

Mike is a Research Associate with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. He was appointed to the Geohydrology Section of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute office in Gisborne in 1985, undertaking most of his research in the East Coast region until retiring in 2017.

His research interests include understanding the timing, rate and role of geomorphic and fluvial processes in shaping the landscape over geological time through to present-day. He has a passion for mapping landscape features including fluvial terraces, erosion features (e.g., gullies and earthflows) and quantifying their significance as sediment sources, both long-and short-term. A logical progression was to then research the effectiveness of passive and managed vegetative strategies using exotic and indigenous species to mitigate sediment generation.

Rachel Agnew works for the Hawkes Bay Regional Council as a Senior Rural Adviser for the Land for Life Project.

Land for Life is a public-private partnership, driven by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council with funding from MPI SFFF and in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy.

Its purpose is to develop, demonstrate and then help pastoral farmers implement a holistic farming approach that is both environmentally and financially sustainable for the long term.

The approach relies primarily on introducing appropriate and targeted forestry planting (including native plantings) into sheep and beef farming systems.

Secondarily, the programme would encourage farming practices to help improve soil health and productivity and match land use with land type.

Benefits from this include mitigation of soil erosion reduced farm emissions, and fewer animals on less productive land resulting in the potential for improved profit for farmers, enhanced through potential carbon/biodiversity credit income.

Rachel has an extensive background in the agribusiness sector with experience in catchment group formation and governance, policy, market analysis and project management.  Rachel and her husband farm sheep, beef and processed vegetables in the Hastings district of Hawke’s Bay.   She is passionate about the potential for the Land for Life project to support landowners to achieve optimal productivity and profitability from their land while preserving soil, waterways and build resilient businesses to mitigate the risks of future adverse events.

Cam Speedy is a freelance Wildlife Biologist based in the Central North Island with more than 30 years’ experience working on a range of both native and introduced wildlife.

Cam’s first love is Sika deer and he has been involved in Sika research most of his working life including habitat studies, herd dynamics, population monitoring and radio tracking work, with a number of published scientific papers and 100’s of magazine articles to his name.

He is passionate about wildlife management and has dedicated his working life to understanding some of the complex wildlife issues unique to New Zealand, sharing that understanding with others and trying to make a difference.

His training and work experience over the past 30 years through Massey University, New Zealand Forest Service, Department of Conservation and in the private and corporate sectors has given him a wealth of knowledge and practical experience.

This knowledge and experience spans game, pest, threatened species and ecosystem management, related research and resource consent management. He has also developed strong networks and relationships with key practitioners and stakeholders along the way.

Cam has been a regular feature writer for hunting magazines since 1993 and he is an experienced, passionate and inspired speaker on wildlife management and other environmental issues.

Cape Sanctuary is New Zealand’s largest privately owned and funded ‘mainland island’ conservation project, running since 2006. It is an innovative, multi-land use model that combines human habitation, food production and recreation with conservation gains. This long-term, privately owned and operated was founded by the Lowe and Robertson families, with a huge community contingent with up to 200 active volunteers, and close collaboration with local hapu.

The site spans the Cape Kidnapper’s peninsula with a 10.6km predator proof fence, protecting 2530ha, and providing restored wildlife populations a safe home to thrive. In our almost two decade history, we have performed 23 species translocations, including kiwi, kaka, kakariki, tuatara, takahe, pateke, giant weta, amongst many more. One of our points of difference as a coastal site, is seabird restoration, with three species already translocated, and an ambitious plan for the next 10 years to bring back another 10 species. Predator control and habitat restoration provide safe spaces for taonga species translocated and naturally returning,  with over 400ha of retired farmland restored to native bush (so far!), and planted well over 1 million native trees. Cape Sanctuary remains committed to improving the biodiversity of Hawke’s Bay by serving as a source population of native flora and fauna to disperse into the wider surrounds of the Hawke’s Bay region. Please see our website for more detail of our comprehensive conservation history www.capesanctuary.co.nz.

Technologist and innovator in the forest industry. I am very passionate about developing technology across the forest industry supply chain, including resource yield modelling and valuation, forest mensuration, log optimization systems, GIS, remote sensing, LiDAR, and carbon monitoring, translating them into impactful commercial solutions and services. Interpine aims to continually push for innovation and technology solutions to meet our client's needs, shaping today's forests with the technology of tomorrow.

Michael Watt is a Principal Researcher at Scion who specialises in growth modelling and using remotely sensed data for a range of forestry applications. Michael has published over 200 papers on forestry related topics and co-leads the Remote Sensing Cluster group which is a consortia (>130 members) representing all major forest growers in NZ. Engagement through this group over the last 10 years has resulted in significant tech transfer to the forest industry. Michael has co-developed widely used models and productivity surfaces for many plantation species including redwood.

Sam Reed leads Tonkin & Taylors’ Water Discipline and is a Technical Director and Chartered Engineer. Sam brings significant expertise in water engineering and has played leading roles in some of New Zealand’s largest roading infrastructure projects. This includes the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway, where he oversaw the design and construction of some of the country’s largest culverts and extensive stormwater infrastructure. Sam was also involved as stormwater lead providing initial assessments for KiwiRail’s Hawkes Bay Cyclone Gabrielle recovery in the Esk Valley and contributing to NZTA’s SH25a Taparahi Bridge rebuild. He is also skilled assessing debris impacts on structures for bridge design.

Recently Sam has been involved in forestry projects, carrying out and combining various risk assessments to shape slash and woody debris catcher strategies.
With his background in infrastructure design, cyclone recovery, forestry risk assessments and slash catcher design, Sam’s experience and expertise align perfectly with this year’s conference theme of Emerging Stronger.

Amy, a Forestry Science graduate from the School of Forestry (2011) started out as a Log Production Coordinator in Northland, she moved through various operational roles including Harvest Planning and Engineering, based in Canterbury. Growing her skills and experiences gave her confidence to apply for and achieve her goal of becoming Rayonier's first female Production Manager, involving a move to Southland.

Her operational background provides another string to the bow of the highly skilled environmental team at Ernslaw One, which she now manages as the Head of Environmental Performance. Amy enjoys the variety in her national role learning about planning, regulation and being exposed to new parts of the country that bring their own unique operational challenges.

Amy has maintained a strong relationship with the School of Forestry, proudly sitting on the School of Forestry Advisory Committee Board. She participates in the Ernslaw one mentor programme supporting recent graduates to thrive in their forestry careers. Amy has been responsible for the development of the Southern Wood Council, Environmental Working Group. With the support of industry and regional councils, she has established a highly engaged group of companies and individuals willing to share and learn when it comes to achieving good environmental outcomes across Otago and Southland. 

DIVERSE VOICES

CARBON

Cape Sanctuary is New Zealand’s largest privately owned and funded ‘mainland island’ conservation project, running since 2006.

In a mere fifteen years Cape Sanctuary has transformed the peninsula into a biodiversity hub that has influenced birdlife across the region. Extensive reforestation and restoration efforts, along with our zero tolerance of predators has resulted in the successful translocation of 19 endemic species and the self-reintroduction of many more.

Experience the impact of Cape Sanctuary's conservation efforts in real-time through up-close encounters with endangered species. Learn about Cape Sanctuary's nationally significant sand-dune restoration, coastal revegetation, species translocations and leading sea-bird restoration projects. Enjoy one of Hawke's Bay's best kept secrets

On 14 February 2023, Pan Pac’s Whirinaki site was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, with silt flooding into buildings, causing significant damage to our plant. The silt came over the top of the stop banks behind the site, which were designed for a 1 in 500-year flood occurrence. In some areas onsite the silt was 2m high. Hundreds of staff and contractors worked hard removing silt and identifying machinery which could be restored.

Pan Pac forests were also impacted, with trees being lost to slips and windthrow. Pan Pac worked actively to clear away logs and debris from neighbouring properties and continue to support the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s clean-up programme in the region.