2017 ACENZ Annual Conference

We are bringing together a range of speakers from the SME community, large firms, Young Professionals, keynotes, Ministers, and more. This year, we are offering concurrent sessions to address the specific needs of our various member markets and invite you to explore those who have confirmed their place below.

His Worship David Trewavas, Mayor of Taupo

Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas entered local body politics in 2001 and served one term as a councillor before becoming Deputy Mayor in 2004. 

He was elected Mayor in 2013 and during the past four years he has had a strong focus on encouraging economic development in the district.

Drawing on the skills and knowledge he gained during the development of his own business interests in Taupō, David enjoys advocating in the best interests of the district at both a regional and national level, and is passionate about ensuring the world knows the Taupō District is open for business.

David is married to Anna and has four daughters.

Hon Jacqui Dean, Minister of Small Business and Associate Minister of Local Government

Jacqui Dean is Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Minister for Small Business. She has been the MP for Waitaki for four terms. First elected in 2005, Mrs Dean has been re-elected with substantial majorities at every election since. Also the Associate Minister for ACC and the Associate Minister for Local Government, Mrs Dean has had extensive experience in Parliament previously chairing the Law and Order and Justice Committees. She has also been the Parliamentary Private Secretary for Tourism and Local Government for three years to December 2016. Her policy interests around local government, business, tourism and the rural sector reflect her understanding of their significance to the national economy.

Apart from its natural tourist attractions, her Waitaki electorate hosts many progressive small and medium-sized businesses which Mrs Dean says reflects that growth and innovation that can be achieved in the regions. Mrs Dean is passionate about promoting the needs of smaller communities, while encouraging wider economic growth across the country, and is also a strong advocate for health and women’s issues. Before her election to Parliament in 2005, Ms Dean was a Waitaki District councillor and deputy mayor.

Daniel Batten

He returned to the media spotlight after becoming New Zealand’s 1st CEO to successfully raise angel investment-group capital (2004). His company launched one of the two most successful software products for University scientists worldwide, improving how 100,000+ molecular biologists did research. Over the next ten years he launched a third career – this time as a high-performance coach/ author and speaker. He is author of three business books including “The 6 Secrets of Authentic Influence.” As a speaker he has achieved inspirational results (not to mention standing ovations) by combining his unique blend of business intelligence and dynamic stage energy.

Daniel has helped clients achieve results that only the very top echelon of coaches globally can create. His mid-sized clients achieve an average 31% increase winning contestable business, an average staff engagement increase of 13%, and an average profit increase of more than 200%. His small business clients’ results include a minimum revenue increase of 257% and a 100% success-record raising investment capital (average capital-raise: $1.28Million).

Daniel has achieved these phenomenal client results by developing a unique method to implant the cultural, leadership and mindset innovations the All Blacks made from 2004-16 into any business to create explosive growth, a more valuable brand, and very few losses.

Daniel's first book "To change the world with one pitch" will be released in June 2017.

Dr Tom Mulholland

Dr Tom Mulholland is an Emergency Department Physician at Auckland Hospital, a lecturer in Psychological Medicine at Auckland clinical school, teaching medical students, and founder of the Healthy Thinking Institute. 

His research interests include workplace stress, emotional control, productivity and psychoneuroimmunology. The Healthy Thinking Institute developed the psychometric test for attitude profiling. His books on Healthy Thinking are translated into 12 languages and have made the best seller list in places like India. He consults on stress and attitude globally to some of the world's largest corporates. He is passionate about Healthy Thinking and how to diagnose and treat attitude illness.

When he is not working as a doctor or on the speaking circuit, Dr Mulholland enjoys extreme sport and expeditions. He was awarded a New Zealand Defence Force Special Services medal for his medical work in the Boxing Day Tsunami and had a stint as the doctor on a Russian Icebreaker in the Southern Ocean. 

Dr Tom's newest book and keynote is Live Fast Die Old and have a good looking corpse, how to perform better from the bedroom to the boardroom (and stay out of my Emergency Department). In this keynote you will laugh, cry, be entertained and educated by an experienced doctor both in the clinic and on the stage. 

Chris Bunny

Chris Bunny was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Building, Resources and Markets group at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in March 2017.  For the three years prior to this role Chris was General Manager of MBIE’s Construction and Housing Markets branch.

Before joining MBIE Chris held a various public sector policy roles in New Zealand and abroad including the Treasury (New Zealand and United Kingdom) and the Ministry of Social Development.  In addition Chris spent time in the private sector working for Partnerships UK to deliver Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Scotland, Ireland and England.

Colin Crampton

Colin is the Chief Executive of Wellington Water. He is responsible for Wellington Water's overall leadership and management, as well as the business's performance and service delivery for its clients. He is also responsible for progress towards the company's strategic goals, which are set with the management team and Board of Directors.

Colin was appointed to the role of chief executive of Capacity Infrastructure Services in November 2013. Prior to joining Capacity, he was the Group Manager, Highways and Network Operations, at the New Zealand Transport Agency, where he had worked for 20 years.

He is a Chartered Professional Engineer, ACENZ President's Award Recipient, Fellow of IPENZ and holds a Diploma in Business Administration from Deakin and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), Civil from the University of Canterbury.

Frana Divich

Frana graduated from the University of Otago in 1993 and was admitted to the New Zealand Bar that year. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 2000. She first practiced in Whangarei, specialising in criminal and civil litigation including appearing as counsel in jury trials. She moved to the UK and joined the in-house legal team of an insurance company specialising in professional indemnity work, before joining a London local authority, where she defended judicial review proceedings, property law claims, injunctions, and prosecuted quasi criminal matters. 

Frana returned to New Zealand in 2001. She worked in general commercial and criminal litigation, before joining the predecessor of the firm in 2005. Since then, her focus has been defending councils from all manner of tortious claims including building defects, LIMs, flooding, fire, land slips, fallen trees and breaches of the RMA.

She has appeared regularly in the specialist Weathertight Homes Tribunal and in the High Court, defending councils. She has acted for insurers defending professional liability claims brought against valuers, solicitors, financial advisors and project managers. She has appeared in the Supreme Court of New Zealand and the House of Lords in the UK. As well her court advocacy skills, Frana frequently represents her clients in alternative dispute resolution processes, having been involved in hundreds of mediations and judicial settlement conferences over her career.

Frana heads the firm’s enforcement and recoveries team. She regularly presents seminars for clients and has also been invited to provide seminars to the legal profession. Frana was appointed an associate in 2007 and became a partner in 2013.

Doug Johnson

Based in Auckland, Doug Johnson is Tonkin + Taylor's Managing Director and an engineering geologist with more than 30 years’ experience. Before becoming Managing Director in 2010, Doug managed the company's largest team - Geotechnical.

Doug holds an MSc (Hons) and has published several papers on risk assessment and the evaluation and design of quarry and mine slopes using quantitative risk methods.

Doug’s specialist skills include engineering geological mapping, site investigation, soil and rock assessment, slope stability, groundwater and natural hazard assessment. He worked on many large civil engineering, mining and quarry projects throughout New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and the South Pacific.

Kathryn McDonald

Kat is a Certified Environmental Practitioner with 10 years’ experience in environmental management, environmental science and sustainability. Kat achieved her accreditation as an Environmental Practitioner in 2012 and is a member of the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (MEIANZ). Kat has two distinct leadership roles within Opus. In 2013 she was appointed as Chair of the Sustainability Professional Interest Network, a role that oversees the technical wellbeing of over 200 professionals worldwide. In 2014 she was appointed as the Company Sustainability Leader, a global role with a strong strategic focus involving policy development, strategy and planning, and sustainability reporting.  

Kat is committed to developing her leadership skills outside the organisation with participation in the Sustainable Business Council Future Leaders Program in 2013, the Sustainability Business Network Authentic Leadership Program in 2014 and also in her role as the Auckland Branch Coordinator for the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Peter Miller

Peter Miller AFA is the founder of the SuccessionPlanTM group (SuccessionPlan Corporation USA, SuccessionPlan Zealand Limited and SuccessionPlan Australia Pty Ltd) which helps proprietors of owner-managed businesses create and implement business ownership exit and succession strategies (www.bizexitstrategy.com). He is also the founder of The Executive Consulting Group Limited (managed by daughter Karen Miller AFA) a New Zealand financial advisory firm specializing in the implementation and management of group insured employee benefits, superannuation and retirement funding, personal financial planning and insurance and investment services tailored to individual client requirements.

Andrew Read

Andrew is a chartered professional electrical engineer with a broad experience base, enthusiastic approach and an aptitude for realising the bigger picture. Andrew is a director of the company, Pedersen Read. He frequently has a leading role on large and complex projects in which his positive attitude, communication skills, and engineering expertise has been widely recognised and valued by clients. Andrew has particular interest and expertise in areas such as strategic infrastructure planning, “intelligent building” and IT services, and security analysis.

Andrew enjoys the “people” aspect of engineering and is a prominent contributor in many professional forums and organisations, including being actively involved with ACENZ as a Past President, INNOVATE Judge (and Past Convenor), and FIDIC New Zealand representative. Andrew is also a Life Member with ACENZ.

Andrew lives in Christchurch with his wife and two children. He is a keen fly fisherman and enjoys snow skiing, camping, cycling, and the outdoors in general. He is very family and community oriented, and has active involvement in the interests of his children through sports coaching, Scouts and Guides assistance, and as a PTA member.

Ian Fraser

Ian is a hydrogeologist with more than 27 years’ experience in environmental assessments, contaminated site remediation, water resource evaluations and civil engineering design.  While Ian has spent the majority of his career in New Zealand, he also lived and worked in the United Sates for an extended period and his work has been in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, the USA and Mexico.

For the last 12 years Ian has held senior management positions, while maintaining a key role in major pursuits and technical oversight of significant or high risk projects.  Ian has lectured in hydrogeology at Auckland University and more recently in applied civil engineering at Canterbury University.  Ian is also currently a board member of the New Zealand Association of Consulting Engineers (ACENZ). He has been the OCM for New Zealand for the last two years and has recently taken on the role of GM Asia Pacific. 

Ian has four sons, with two still at home in Christchurch.  Ian loves the outdoors and takes every opportunity to spend time skiing, cycling,  kayaking and more recently hunting in the South Island High Country.

Graham Chapman

Graham Chapman is the Market Sector Director of Highway & Bridges for AECOM New Zealand. With a Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering (Honours), Graham has professional registrations as a Chartered Professional Engineer in New Zealand and a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers and a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the United Kingdom. Graham is also an active member of the Society of Construction Law in New Zealand.

Graham has over 40 years’ experience in consulting engineering and specialises in design and project management of transport infrastructure, preparation of professional services agreements and administration of construction contracts.  He recently chaired the committee of 25 local and central government department representatives, consultants, professional organisations (IPWEA, IPENZ and NZIA) and insurers reviewing the Conditions of Contract for Consultancy Services (CCCS).

Craig Davidson

Craig is the Managing Director of AECOM New Zealand. He has been with AECOM since 1999, starting as a Project Manager and Design Engineer, then moving through the ranks and across the world. The diversity of job roles throughout his career has allowed him the opportunity to learn and lead within the organisation and the industry at large.

Craig is a former Board Member and Area Representative (now Regional Chair) with ACENZ. He has travelled the world with engineering and worked across New Zealand, the United States, and the Middle East. Before his promotion to Managing Director, Craig was the Group Director - Building and Places with AECOM, Regional Manager for the Central North Island, and Project Manager. He holds a Masters and Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Auckland and now resides in Auckland with his family.

Ross Meijer

Ross is an Associate Director of AON New Zealand and is the liability insurance company consultant responsible for LPMS and a number of other professional groups. He has wide experience in New Zealand and London Markets in the field of professional liabilities, particularly in the major banking and economic sectors in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Ross also serves as the CEAS Insurance Consultant (CEAS - Insurance for Consulting Engineers) and has more than 24 years of experience from all over the world including New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and Europe. Ross sits on several advisory and guidance groups with ACENZ as well.

SJ Lee

Bio to come.

Jon Harper-Slade (Health & Safety Workshop)

Jon Harper-Slade is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and a Certified Member of the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management.  He is married to Liz and together they live in West Auckland, with their dog Flo and two cats; Daisy and Colin.  A passion for helping people has motivated Jon through a varied career in Health and Safety.  In the UK he was Head of HS&E for a global research and consultancy business which lead to work in the Middle East and Africa.  Arriving in New Zealand about 3 years ago, he has worked mainly in the Construction sector for both client and constructor organisations.  Jon is now General Manager of the Construction Safety Council NZ and leads the ConstructSafe scheme.  Before his Health and Safety calling, Jon worked as a Pavements Engineer in the UK and before that had a military career working with Ammunition and Explosives.

Greg Dearsly (Health & Safety Workshop)

Managing Director First 4 Safety Ltd and National Manager, New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM)

Greg has been involved in the provision of occupational safety and health advice and assistance for 16 years during which time he completed a Graduate Diploma in Health and Safety. The majority of this time was spent in various Health and Safety related roles in the Waste and Recycling Industry including 5 years as the National HSEQ Manager on the senior management team at Transpacific Industries NZ Ltd.

In 2011 Greg set up his own health and safety consulting business, First 4 Safety Ltd, providing generalist health and safety consultancy services across a range of industries in both the private and public sector. Greg is a Graduate member of the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management and represents NZISM on the Leadership team of HASANZ, he is also a member of the WasteMINZ Safety Sector Steering Group. Greg is progressing through a Graduate Diploma in Business and as a member of the Institute of Directors he is working through a CPD programme to develop his governance knowledge base.

Joe Bain (Health & Safety Workshop)

Joe Bain (PhD, CPEng) is a Principal Engineer at JSK Consulting Engineers, where he specialises in industrial safety engineering for plant, equipment and machinery, and in seismic design of mechanical equipment. His day-to-day work involves design, analysis and certification of mechanical systems, risk management, and accident investigation.

Joe holds a PhD and an honours degree in mechanical engineering from Canterbury University, and is a co-founder and immediate past Chair of the New Zealand Society for Safety Engineering. He also serves on the committee of the Maintenance Engineering Society of New Zealand, and on the leadership committee for the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand.