Regional Water Symposium Presenter Biographies

Chris’s very busy schedule includes the roles of Presenter on the Sunday Morning Programme for Radio New Zealand, Councillor on the Greater Wellington Regional Council,Board Member on the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust, Commentator and Syndicated Columnist for Sky Sport Television, and the Director of the Hurricanes Franchise. Chris’s past endeavours kept him just as busy, ranging from CEO of World Wildlife Fund in Wellington and Member of Parliament for Wellington Central to Race Relations Conciliator for the Human Rights Commissioner in Auckland and Diplomatic Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Nick Smith
Minister for the Environment

Born and educated in North Canterbury, Nick first stood for public office at the age of 18. Nick has held governing positions through all levels of the National Party organisation and entered Parliament in 1990. Following the MMP reforms in 1996, Nick was elected the first Nelson National MP since 1954. He has held the portfolios of Education, Corrections, Conservation, Assoc Minister of Immigration, Treaty Negotiations and Social Welfare.

was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity and Minister of Forestry following the 2008 General Election. David was first elected to Parliament in 1994 as the Member of Parliament for the rural electorate of Selwyn, and was the Junior Government Whip in 1996 before being promoted to a Minister outside Cabinet in 1998. David completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at Lincoln University before embarking on a farming and business career, and currently farms a 2500 stock unit farm at Cheviot, North Canterbury.

Ngati Kahungunu, Professor of Maori and Indigenous Studies and Director of Te Manga Maori at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Taradale. Roger’s interests and experience include urbanisation and Indigenous peoples, Indigenous social and political development, post-treaty settlement governance and development, and Indigeneity as a global social movement. Roger is currently Chair of He Toa Takitini, the mandated treaty claims group for Heretaunga and Tamatea, and a member of the Tukituki Water Basin Leadership group.

Dr J. Morgan Williams
Principal, FutureSteps

Dr Williams completed 10 years as NZ’s Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in March 2007 and is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Canterbury and Queensland. He was awarded the Rotary International Foundation’s highest award, being named a Paul Harris Fellow in May 2007. Dr Williams’ recent work has included strategic input to community based wind farm development in NZ, writing a ‘think piece’ on the future evolution of the Waitakere Ranges and associated city and urban farming landscapes, and contributing to a global‘Frontiers of Sustainable Development’ think tank in Europe. A driving force behind Dr Williams efforts for over 30 years is his great interest in how people think about and relate to the natural world - particularly in terms of the political, social and economic constructs that influence the management of our natural capital and thus the broad canvas of sustainable development.

Professor of Energy and Resource Economics at The University of Auckland, Basil has a longstanding association with water resource development and management and has appeared as an expert witness before the Environment Court and the High Court on numerous hearings related to water resource development and management.

Sam Robinson farms a sheep and beef cattle hill country property south of Waipukurau. He is a former member of the HB Catchment Board, and was also an inaugural HB Regional Councillor for six years. He is Chair of the AgResearch Board and Chairman of the Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project - Leadership Group. Previously he was chair of Richmond Ltd., and was also a director of the Port of Napier.

Andrew Newman
Chief Executive, HBRC

Andrew took up the position of HBRC’s Chief Executive in May 2006, returning to NZ after several years in the forestry industry in Australia. Andrew brought his skills in the forest industry, in strategy, business development and marketing to Council, and has continued to build on his insight into natural resource management issues over the last 3 years.

Darryl Lew
Group Manager, Resource Management

In his role, Darryl has responsibility for resource consents, monitoring and compliance, and environmental science.Darryl joined HBRC 4 years ago.

Helen Codlin
Group Manager, Strategic Development

Helen’s role has responsibility for Transport Planning, Resource Management planning and Strategic Policy development.