MC
Samantha Hayes
Samantha Hayes
Samantha has worked in the television industry as a journalist and presenter for more than 15 years fronting an array of popular news programmes and travelling the world reporting on everything from Antarctic climate change research to the Syrian refugee crisis and the rise of Kiwi pop icon Lorde. She has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Media Studies from Wellington’s Victoria University, as well as a Certificate in Media Communication from Aoraki Polytechnic in Dunedin.
Speakers
We are pleased to announce our current confirmed speakers.
Ministerial Speaker
Hon Simon Watts
Hon Simon Watts
Minister for Energy
Simon Watts is the Minister of Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister of Local Government and Minister of Revenue. He has served as the MP for North Shore since 2020. Simon is also a father, a chartered accountant with extensive international banking and finance experience, a volunteer ambulance officer, and a proud New Zealander.
Parliamentary Speaker
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Opposition Energy and Resources Spokesperson
Hon Megan Woods has been the Member of Parliament for Wigram since 2011. She is the Opposition Spokesperson for Climate Change, Energy and Resources, and Associate Spokesperson for Finance.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Megan worked as a Business Manager at Plant & Food Research. She holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Canterbury.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Megan worked as a Business Manager at Plant & Food Research. She holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Canterbury.
Parliamentary Speaker
Scott Willis MP
Scott Willis MP
Green Party Energy Spokesperson
Scott Willis, MP, representing the Green Party is an energy analyst and politician. Born in Dunedin and growing up on a farm in Otago, he attended the University of Otago, and then worked on orchards and farms in the Cévennes region of France. He later interned at the European Parliament. He has worked as a consultant on energy resilience, and as an energy analyst.
International Keynote
Stefan Gsänger
Stefan Gsänger
Secretary-General, World Wind Energy Association
Stefan Gsänger has managed WWEA since its formation in 2001. Under his direction, WWEA has become the voice of the wind sector worldwide, with members in more than 100 countries. WWEA attained Special Consultative Status at the UN. Stefan Gsänger has been Vice Chair of REN21 since 2017, and holds various other positions, including member of the executive committee of the Global100% Renewable Energy Platform as well as of the managing committee of the REN Alliance. He chairs the IRENA Coalition for Action Community Energy Group and is adviser to governments and international organisations.
Panellist
Dr John Small
Dr John Small
Chair, Commerce Commission
Dr John Small has been Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission since December 2022, following his appointment as a Commissioner in 2020. He is the Founding Director of economic consultancy firm Covec and a former Head of the University of Auckland’s Economics Department. With extensive experience in complex competition analysis across sectors including energy, transport, agriculture, telecommunications, and construction, John has frequently served as an expert witness before courts, tribunals, and commissions. In 2024, he was appointed an Associate Member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Andrea Rickard
Managing Director – New Zealand, Beca | President, ACENZ
Andrea Rickard is Managing Director for Beca’s New Zealand operations and President of the Association of Consulting and Engineering New Zealand (ACENZ). With over 25 years’ experience in strategic advisory, planning, and delivery of major infrastructure projects, Andrea is a recognised leader in driving transformational outcomes across Aotearoa’s transport, utilities, and community infrastructure sectors.
Simon Craddock
Chief Executive, Port Taranaki
Simon Craddock leads Port Taranaki, overseeing its strategic direction as it transitions to support New Zealand’s renewable energy future. With extensive experience in port operations and regional development, Simon is driving the creation of flexible, multi-use port infrastructure to enhance energy security.
John Clarke
Executive General Manager – Future Grid, Transpower
John Clarke heads Transpower’s Future Grid team, leading the development of long-term strategies to prepare New Zealand’s electricity network for the demands of a net zero economy. Through initiatives such as Te Kanapu, John and his team are shaping a resilient and affordable grid to meet the nation’s growing energy needs by 2050.
Frank Schouteeten
O&M WTG Team Manager, Parkwind
Frank Schouteeten manages the Operations & Maintenance WTG team at Parkwind, a leading European offshore wind developer. With hands-on experience across more than 200 operational turbines, offshore substations, and extensive cable networks, Frank specialises in optimising asset performance, prioritising health, safety, and environment (HSE), and advancing innovative O&M strategies for the offshore wind sector.
Shóna Guinan
Senior Marine Consultant, RPS
Shóna has over seven years of experience specialising in offshore wind project management and marine consulting. She combines technical expertise in offshore environmental and approval risks with meticulous project management skills, particularly in the delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for large-scale infrastructure projects.