ReConnect

Tuesday, 28 June
Auckland

A decade of action for people, the planet
and economy

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Program Overview

Hybrid Conference

Registrations commence from 8:00 am

Session 1: Thriving Nations Enabled By World Class Infrastructure - Our Decade of Action
8:30 - 11:00 AM
This will be a century of change and stimulus spending is an opportunity for us to take legacy action now across our cities, regions and nations. The best actions are those taken in collaboration that operate at a system level and consider other worldviews, perspectives and disciplines and apply long term intergenerational lenses. Using our existing tools, technologies and knowledge in this way generates innovations in policy, principles, practices and products so required in the infrastructure sector. We need to drive actions that deliver outcomes - such as net zero, resilience and inclusivity – at scale and at pace, paving the way to a positive future for people, the planet and economy.
Speakers:
Ainsley Simpson, CEO, Infrastructure Sustainability Council
Hon. Michael Wood, Minister for Transport
Craig Davidson, CEO, AECOM
Nicole Rosie, CEO, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Vicky Robertson, Secretary for the Environment, Ministry for the Environment
Susan Freeman-Greene, CEO, Local Government New Zealand

Session 2: Place Base Approaches to Net Zero - Global Insights and Local Intel

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Climate change and nature loss are business-induced, human-felt crises that are linked, simultaneous and accelerating toward tipping points into irreversible systemic change. Science tells us that to limit global warming to 1.5C this century we must halve emissions by 2030, reach net zero by 2050 and become climate positive in the latter half of the century. Many businesses and nation states aim to become net zero independently, but is this the right way to tackle such an immense challenge? Could a new shared approach agreed globally and delivered locally be the answer? A solution that involves a place-based, city-level, delivery of net zero at scale and at pace drawing on what has been done successfully elsewhere but adapted and tailored to the local needs and conditions. How do we overcome the systemic barriers and address needs while also addressing Climate change and biodiversity challenges?

Speakers:

Hon. James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change
Marlon Kobacker, NSW Infrastructure Sustainability Lead, Mott Macdonald
Carla Bates, Head of Environment, KiwiRail

Session 3: Stepping Beyond Silos - Sustainability Leadership for this Decade
1:00 - 2:00 PM

Sustainability is the multidisciplinary leadership competency of our time for all levels and disciplines. Big picture system based approaches and a long term focus are required in the face of complexity of climate change transitions and reconciling resilience with other competing considerations. Understanding will assist a range of traditional disciplines. No part of an organisation is immune. Finance and risk teams will need to consider continued access to finance and insurance and mandatory climate reporting. Bidding, comms marketing functions need to be able to authentically articulate and document all the moving parts of their organisations sustainability journey. In the battle for talent, People and capability teams and learning and development teams need to offer employees a life of purpose and personal growth pathways to assist with recruitment and retention of staff who, like all stakeholders, are increasingly seeking meaning and purpose in their roles.
Speakers:
Teresa Poli, Project Lead - Sustainability, ConCOVE Tūhura
Nick Edlin, Partner, Kerridge and Partners
Gillian Blythe, Chief Executive, Water NZ

Session 4: Technology and Transformation - Infrastructure Delivering Inclusive Access to Opportunity and Resilience

3:00 - 4:00 PM

Infrastructure is there to serve people and communities and we need to ensure that their needs are met. The infrastructure sector must also develop and maintain long term assets that will meet changing demographic needs while generating net zero, resilience and inclusivity outcomes through the whole lifecycle, from planning, design and delivery to operations and beyond. We must respectfully look back and forward. How can Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori help us with this and in ensuring a tika transition for all and in delivering on the wellbeing outcomes we all strive for? What place do new tech and innovative approaches have in helping helping address the complex objectives including smart systems and monitoring tools?

Speakers:

Adrienne Miller, General Manager New Zealand, Infrastructure Sustainability Council
Michala Lander, Technical Director - Social Planning, Loveable Cities Lead, GHD
Sean Audain, Strategic Planning Manager, Wellington City Council
Matt Ensor, Founder & CEO, Frankly AI