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.

Melissa is a street-smart futurist and tech entrepreneur who helps leaders cut through noise, tackle change head-on and build clear pathways to tomorrow.

Trained by the Institute for the Future and appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the technology industry, she’s worked with everyone from Spark and IAG to NASA and Australian Pork, tackling everything from company strategy to digital disruption. Melissa brings principled insight and practical tools that help teams turn uncertainty into direction.

People often leave her sessions with their minds blown and their thinking reset — about risk, responsibility, and what to act on now. Whether she’s guiding a CEO through a tough transition or challenging a conference audience on the future of AI, Melissa is known for her grounded foresight and ability to call it like it is, with clarity and warmth.

Shaun Hendy is currently Callaghan Innovation’s Chief Innovation Expertise Officer. He is also Chief Scientist and co-founder of Toha, a company that builds and operates digital marketplaces for environmental action, and an adjunct professor at the School of Science in Society at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. He was the founding director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a national Centre of Research Excellence, focussing on complex systems, and has previously worked as an academic at both Te Herenga Waka and Waipapa Taumata Rau - the University of Auckland. He is probably best known for leading New Zealand’s Covid-19 modelling team, which won the 2020 Prime Minister’s Science Prize for their work. However he is also well known for his work on complex systems, particularly as it applies to innovation, and in 2012 co-authored Get Off the Grass on this topic with the late Sir Paul Callaghan. He has since written three other books, Silencing Science (2016), #NoFly (2019) and The Covid Response (2025). 

Scarlet Roxby is a carbon project coordinator working at the intersection of plantation forestry and carbon markets in Australia. Her work has focused on translating the technical requirements of the ACCU Scheme into practical outcomes for landholders, investors, and forestry stakeholders.
With a background spanning biology, regenerative agriculture, and forestry, Scarlet brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the sector. Having worked across both not-for-profit and commercial environments, she offers an independent and critical lens on the opportunities and challenges shaping forestry’s future.
As a recent graduate of the cross-industry Graduate Certificate in Forestry, Scarlet represents an emerging generation navigating the evolving relationship between carbon, timber, and land use.

James was appointed Chief Executive of Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) in March 2026. He previously served as Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. James has extensive experience leading environmental and resource management reform, with a background spanning public policy, science strategy, and the electricity and primary industries. He has also held senior advisory and governance roles across national science initiatives and research organisations.

Michal is a resident of Thailand and an Extraordinary Professor of Forest Sciences, Michal is redefining the digital landscape of the industry. As CEO of CMO International, Michal has overseen the company’s expansion into 45 countries, driven by a passion for sustainability and technical excellence.

Michal is the driving force behind the "new CMO," a tech-centric organization that has famously traded traditional coding for exclusive AI-driven software development. By assembling a diverse, multidisciplinary executive team, Michal ensures that CMO’s international rollout is as strategic as it is innovative. His 20-year background as an auditor and consultant provides the "boots-on-the-ground" expertise that fuels his vision for a smarter, tech-enabled forestry future.

Warrick James began farming in 1980 after attending Lincoln College, joining the family sheep, beef and deer operation on a High-Country property above Springfield, Canterbury. Warrick brings a practical, first-hand perspective on integrating carbon forestry with traditional pastoral farming. In 2010, he and his wife CeCe relocated with their three children to "Flagpole" in the Selwyn Gorge, a 1,300ha sheep and beef property carrying 520ha of Pinus Radiata and Douglas Fir. Recognising that timber income was years away, Warrick explored carbon markets in the early stages of ownership, ultimately registering the forest under the Permanent Forest scheme in 2010. Their first carbon credit sale at $20 per unit proved transformative for the business. Over the following 16 years, Warrick and his family have continued developing permanent forests across multiple properties, focusing on marginal land while preserving better pastoral land for livestock. The family now operates three sheep and beef properties, all integrating tree development alongside livestock, with shares in additional forestry blocks. Most recently, they have invested in a North Canterbury dairy farm, establishing native species for shelter and riparian planting. Warrick has served as Past President of the Canterbury A&P Show, the NZ Limousin Breeders Society, and several local agricultural organisations. He remains actively involved in his community, including as current Chairman of Sheffield Saleyards Inc and as a member of the Selwyn River Catchment Group. Warrick brings a practical, first-hand perspective on integrating carbon forestry with traditional pastoral farming.

Michael Barbara is an experienced executive with a strong background in investment and asset management within the forestry sector. He joined Campbell Global (part of J.P. Morgan Asset Management) in 2024, where he serves as Director of Australasia. In this role Michael is responsible for the firm’s investment activities and oversight of assets under management in the region.

Michael previously spent almost 20 years at New Forests where he held numerous roles including Chief Commercial Officer, Director of Business Development, and had lead roles in deal origination and execution, working on funds and strategies in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and North America.

Michael holds an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management and has completed the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He earned a Bachelor degree in Environmental Management at Macquarie University.

Lucas joined ZIP in early 2025 and holds a Master’s in Earth Science from the University of Auckland, with 10 years’ experience managing environmental, biosecurity and conservation projects. He leads ZIP’s carbon project, working across the ZIP team and with a range of scientists to measure the additional carbon stored in native forests as a result of ZIP’s predator elimination work. The ultimate aim of this project is to unlock the value of this carbon and reinvest it into further conservation work. A born-and-bred West Coaster, Lucas enjoys mountain biking and kayaking, and has spent time exploring the backcountry rivers of South Westland that are now predator-free.

Ngātai, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou, Tuhoe, Ngāti Pukeko, 5th generation pākeha

Background: Māori land/commercial supply chain and logistics, primary produce trade, and export. Board member of Ngā Pou a Tāne Māori Forestry Association. Director at Tipu Āke Systems – expert advisory for transition from pre-settlement forestry systems to tikanga-centred systems and value chains.

Current research and development interests: Has a vision for Māori forestry leadership to transform New Zaland’s forest history and landscapes. Forest designer for Takaputahi (26,000 hectares of native and pine forest) on behalf of Ngāitai Iwi Authority, and Tunapāhore (330 hectares dairy farm and forest land). Leads strategy development and implementation pathways for He Rautaki Ngahere Māori 2040 (the national Māori forestry strategy). Developing a Māori Forestry 2040 Transitions System with Ngā Pou a Tāne and Toha. Co-founder of the Whare Tī model, a Māori land development partnership with over 90 land blocks towards a Living Forest Economy. Creating a global envelope of Indigenous practice forests alongside other Indigenous nations. Managing the establishment of a Tōtara Industry Cooperative in Northland alongside Te Tai Tokerau Māori Forests Inc. and others.

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.

Founded in 2010 by industry veteran Geoff Manks, Sage Partners Ltd was born after a quarter-century of leadership in the New Zealand insurance market. Having owned and directed some of the nation’s largest brokerages, Geoff launched Sage Partners to move beyond traditional boundaries.

Sage Partners specialises in the unconventional and is a Lloyd’s Coverholder. Driven by the mantra "We Don’t Deal in the Ordinary," we leverage decades of high-level experience to provide the industry with premier wholesale insurance products, services and advice.

Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck is a Research Fellow with the Forest Research Institute at the University of the Sunshine Coast. His research focuses on applied forest health, silviculture, fuel management and fire resilience, with a strong emphasis on industry-led research in plantation and native forest systems. Sam leads and contributes to national collaborative projects across forest pest, weed and disease management, spray application technology, biomass and fuel characterisation, and citizen science approaches to bushfire resilience. He works closely with forest growers, government agencies and industry partners to develop practical research outcomes that support safer, more resilient and productive forest landscapes.

Jeff is the current CEO of the NZ Timber Industry Federation, an Industry body with roots dating back to 1917 when it was formed as the Dominion Sawmillers Federation. Our rich history reflects our deep roots in the industry. From our beginnings working with indigenous species like Rimu and Matai to leading the shift toward sustainable plantation forestry with Pinus radiata and Douglas fir, we've continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the sector.  The Federation and our members have been at the leading edge of establishing export markets for Sawn radiata Timber all over the globe. 

Jeff has been with the NZTIF since 2009, coming from a background in the Construction Industry and has a deep understanding in technical areas of Timber production including Quality Assurance and use. This knowledge has led to active participation in a number of standards both NZ based and Joint Australian / New Zealand Standards. Jeff is also actively involved in issues surrounding Worksafe and Hazardous Substances. 

Moving forward, processing more of our harvest onshore is seen as a key to success of the entire Forestry Sector and assisting to develop new markets such as India and expand existing ones such as Viet nam and the United States are vital.

Paco Tovar (B.Sc. Hons.) has over 20 years’ experience managing operational and research forestry projects relating to silviculture, nutrition, forest health and biosecurity. Currently employed as the Australian Forest Products Association’s biosecurity manager, he presents industry views to Australian governments on policy and research issues relating to forest health and biosecurity.

He oversees the implementation of the industry-government collaborative post-border program Forest Watch Australia and, the softwood sector’s National Giant Pine Scale Strategy. As biosecurity manager he also represents industry in the event of an Emergency Plant Pest Response, and on consultative groups such as the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee and the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Committee.

Mr. Ross Hampton is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC), headquartered in the United Kingdom.

The ISFC mission is to promote the growth of the climate and nature smart, sustainable forest-based circular bioeconomy by engaging proactively with the global decision making processes.

In three years since inception, ISFC has grown to have a membership of 24 global forestry companies which steward more than 31 million hectares in 41 countries.

Mr. Hampton was previously the long serving Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association, after working in journalism and as a senior adviser to three Australian Federal Government Cabinet Ministers. 

Mr. Hampton was twice elected Chair of the, Rome headquartered, UN FAO Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-Based Industries (ACSFI) and remains a member.

Graham is a professional forester with 50 years’ experience in forest management, research and regulation.  He spent the first 10 years of his career as an operational forester in the sub-tropical and temperate forests of New South Wales.  This was followed by a decade as a specialist silviculturalist and forest research manager in Tasmania. From 1996 to 2015 he was the head of Tasmania's Forest Practices Authority where he had statutory responsibility for the administration of the regulatory framework for native forests and plantations on public and private land.

He now works as a forestry consultant within Australia and throughout the Pacific.

He is a Fellow of Forestry Australia and is the current Vice-President of the Pacific Network of Forestry Professionals.

Mr. Jalesi Mateboto is a forester by training and currently serves as the President of the Pacific Network of Forestry Professionals (PNFP). He previously worked as the Natural Resources Management (NRM) Advisor with the Pacific Community (SPC), Land Resources Division.
With over 25 years of experience across the Pacific, Jalesi has provided strategic advice and technical leadership on forestry and sustainable landscape management to governments and regional organisations. His career spans public service with the Fiji Forestry Department, the private sector in logging and sawmilling, and regional NGO work in community forestry.
He continues to support regional collaboration and capacity development in forestry through his leadership role in PNFP.

Pattrick has worked in Wellington as a business and political journalist, and political and corporate communications adviser for more than 40 years. He was The Australian newspaper's first NZ correspondent in the mid-1990s, is a former Parliamentary Press Gallery chairman, and spent a year in the United States as a Harkness Fellow. He worked for former Finance Minister Roger Douglas in the mid-1980s, was head of communications and brand at Contact Energy in the 2000s and returned to journalism to found BusinessDesk in 2008, a business sold to NZME in 2021. He has been a principal of The Hugo Group, an information service for CEOs, since 2013 and in 2020 became a shareholder in Carbon News, NZ's longest-running climate change and decarbonisation newsletter.

Alfred is a professional forester with experience across both the operational and technical sides of forestry in New Zealand. As one of the driving forces behind Future Foresters and the Young Forester of the Year award, he is actively engaged in the long‑term success of the sector, giving him a broad perspective on what it means to be a forester in New Zealand today.

A current MBA candidate, Alfred is increasingly focused on effective leadership and how it applies within forestry. In a profession defined by long rotations and decisions whose impacts unfold over decades, he believes leadership must be intergenerational in its intent.

In closing the NZIF Conference, Alfred will look forward from a century of innovation to explore what foresters of today and tomorrow need from their leaders.

Twilight Tour

Experience the sights and sounds of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne with an expert guide, who will lead you through the picturesque sanctuary to search for the native wildlife.

Twilight is a magical time in the sanctuary. Venturing into the sanctuary just before sunset and hearing the dusk chorus, as the day birds sign off and the night manu wake up, is an unforgettable experience. The last part of the tour is walked in darkness by torchlight

Many species that are safe within the sanctuary are found in no or few other parts of mainland Aotearoa New Zealand. Soak up the beautiful scenery while learning more about our unique ecological history.

Shed 22

This event brings together diverse teams to test their knowledge on everything from obscure pop culture, sports, forestry facts, and current events.

The real drawcard is the atmosphere—the collective groans at a missed answer, the cheers of a successful “joker” round, and the light-hearted debates that continue long after the final scores are tallied.

Whether you're a serious trivia buff or just there for the social buzz, the quiz night offers a relaxed, low-pressure way to connect with fellow peers.