Professional Development and Tech Training Day Speakers
Brendan Winitana
SEANZ Chair & CE
Bio
Brendan is an independent director and chair of SEANZ. With a background in governance, senior management and strategic planning, Brendan has held CEO and director roles in imaging solutions, IT and content management businesses as well as his own consulting practice specialising in industry and sector transformation and change and resulting new business models. His passion lies with SEANZ and the outcomes it seeks based on the expected exponential industry development to help drive the low carbon economy.
Tim Francis
WITT Te Pukenga
Bio
Principal and director of Southern Solar & Automation, Tim Francis has a 27 year background as an electrician, initially specialising in industrial control systems then spending the last 15 years in the Renewable Energy field as a designer / installer of both grid-connected and stand-alone PV & storage systems. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2019 he had also been engaged as a trainer in both subjects at both TAFE NSW and GSES Australia . Over the last year he has been the primary PV course trainer for WITT/NZHIT at their New Plymouth training centre.
Tim has Advanced Diplomas in Electrical Engineering (Control) and Renewable Energy and held CEC Accreditation as a Designer and Installer for both grid-connected PV and stand-alone power systems with both micro-hydro and small wind endorsements.
Graham Moor
CEO Roofing Association New Zealand
Greg Hoskins
Principal, Hoskins Energy Systems & SEANZ Director
Bio
Principal of Hoskins Energy Systems, Greg is a practitioner of designing and installing solar PV and storage systems - grid connected and off-grid. With 35 years in the field, Greg is the industry's technical go to man. Greg serves on other industry boards and is a member of the AUS NZ EL-042 Standards Committee - Renewable Energy Systems of Standards. Greg will be part of the Installer panel discussion.
Conference Day Speakers
Gary Holden
Managing Director, Lodestone Energy
Bio
Gary Holden has been an generation, distribution and retail energy executive in NZ and Canada for over 30 years. He has the distinction of leading a team who developed the first major independent power plants in NZ in the mid-1990s. He was the CEO of TransAlta NZ before heading up TransAlta Canada’s coal, gas and hydro fleet. He went on to become CEO of Enmax Corporation and Pulse Energy. He has developed generation assets in NZ, Australia, USA and Canada utilising gas, wind, coal and solar. He is a founder of Lodestone Energy who are currently constructing five solar farms in NZ and is pioneering new ways for consumers to purchase solar power.
Hon Megan Woods
Minister of Energy
Bio
Megan is the Minister of Housing, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister of Energy and Resources, Minister for Building and Construction, as well as the Associate Minister of Finance.
Since being sworn in as a Minister of the Crown following the 2017 election, Megan has also held the ministerial portfolios for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, and Research, Science and Innovation.
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.
Brendan Winitana
SEANZ Chair & CE
Bio
Brendan is an independent director and chair of SEANZ. With a background in governance, senior management and strategic planning, Brendan has held CEO and director roles in imaging solutions, IT and content management businesses as well as his own consulting practice specialising in industry and sector transformation and change and resulting new business models. His passion lies with SEANZ and the outcomes it seeks based on the expected exponential industry development to help drive the low carbon economy.
Conference Day Speakers - Residential / Commercial & Industrial
Cristiano Marantes
Chief Executive, Ara Ake
Bio
Dr Cristiano Marantes is a highly experienced energy sector executive with an extensive engineering background and an informed worldview on the potential of technologies and business opportunities that will likely emerge in a low emissions energy future. Personally, he brings to the position a life-long passion for enabling this future, through strong leadership, innovation and knowledge of new low emissions energy solutions.
Jenny Van der Merwe
Renewable Energy Lead, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
Bio
Renewable Energy Lead, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities.
Jenny is a public housing professional with extensive experience supporting change and innovation initiatives. A background in Industrial Engineering, Public Management and a passion for the environment have shaped Jenny’s approach to the development of the renewable energy programme at Kāinga Ora.
Jenny will be discussing The Kāinga Ora Renewable Energy Programme.
Matiu Taurau
CEO, Tū Mai Rā Energy
Bio
Matiu Taurau (Rangitāne, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungungu).
Matiu has a wealth of international and local experience in business. Matiu has been a Chartered Accountant since 2008 and is currently employed at GHA as the Senior Associate. Matiu has led the development of investment advisory services, business development and delivery of consulting assignments for GHA. His role also includes virtual management, organisational development and financial advisory.
He will be discussing Tū Mai Rā Energy's values-based sector approach
and community energy innovation (involving case studies).
Aaron Duncan
Director, Freenergy Solar Solutions
Bio
Aaron started Freenergy Solar Solutions over 15 years ago and has been serving the residential and commercial solar market in Hawkes Bay ever since. With an engineering background
and a passion for renewable energy, Aaron has experienced the early adopters through to the more recent rapid growth of the Solar & BESS industry. More recently Aaron suffered 100% loss of his
warehouse and offices through ex cyclone Garielle and experienced first hand the devastation this brought to the region. With his parents, brother and many friends suffering significant loss of homes and now
and some now dealing with managed retreat, Aaron has a first hand experience and many positive stories how energy resilience was vital in the aftermath.
Mike Casey
CEO, Rewiring Aotearoa, CEO NZ Zero, Owner Forest Lodge Orchard
Bio
Mike is a cherry orchardist from Central Otago who believes he has created the first fully electric commercial farm in the world. He grows top quality cherries with no diesel and last year shared the story of the payback periods at the SEANZ conference. Things have really changed in 12 months. Now Mike is the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa and our goal is to electrify the 10 million fossil fuel machines in New Zealand as fast as we can. This means working with SEANZ and the solar industry to create the best possible outcome for our households, communities and businesses as we begin to electrify everything.
Mike will be presenting on the latest developments towards a zero annual energy bill and what is required to change in the market to rapidly accelerate the electrification of everything.
Chris Goodyer
Owner, Goodyer Electrical and Solar
Bio
Chris will be part of the Installer panel discussion.
Regan Heal
General Manager, Infinite Energy & SEANZ Director
Bio
Regan is General Manager of Central Otago based Infinite Energy. Prior to establishing Infinite Energy in 2013, Regan worked as a Business Development Manager for EECA (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) helping deliver the Warm Up New Zealand campaign. Regan is passionate about the environment & renewables, and maintains a keen interest in construction and building science. This interest has seen Regan recently gain the Homestar Practitioner qualification, and he believes we have a great opportunity to be the generation that drives the shift towards better, healthier, more efficient housing for all New Zealand families.
Regan will be part of the Installer panel discussion.
Matt Ward
CEO, SolarZero
Greg Hoskins
Principal, Hoskins Energy Systems & SEANZ Director
Bio
Principal of Hoskins Energy Systems, Greg is a practitioner of designing and installing solar PV and storage systems - grid connected and off-grid. With 35 years in the field, Greg is the industry's technical go to man. Greg serves on other industry boards and is a member of the AUS NZ EL-042 Standards Committee - Renewable Energy Systems of Standards. Greg will be part of the Installer panel discussion.
Conference Day Speakers - Utility Scale Solar
Philippe McCracken
Managing Director, IT Power
Bio
Philippe has extensive experience in utility-scale grid-connected PV experience in Australia, as well as remote area PV hybrid mini-grids in the Pacific. His skillset bridges the technical, managerial and financial aspects of renewable energy projects, having worked variously as lead design engineer, project manager, contract manager, and financial analyst. His experience both as client-side engineer and as lead design engineer have given him a good understanding of the real-world challenges facing project developers, designers, owners, and end-users.
Al Yates
Director, Ecotricity
Bio
Al Yates is the CEO of Ecotricity, New Zealand’s first and only Toitū climate positive certified 100% renewable electricity provider. Ecotricity are leaders in supporting the independent development of rooftop and large scale solar farms and the rollout of high powered EV chargers.
Al has served on the board of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association, ChargeNet, the Market Development Advisory group for the EA.
Al has been involved in the telco sector through founding Brightpoint NZ and wind industry and is a co-founder of Snowplanet.
Alison Blackler
Grid Works Delivery Manager, Transpower
Bio
Presenting the Transpower perspective on grid access and utility solar development.
Josie Boyd
COO Network, Northpower
Bio
Josie joined Northpower in 2011, as its legal counsel and moved into an executive role managing the Electricity network in 2017. Prior to that she worked in a range of legal roles in the utilities, construction and professional services industries, both in NZ and the UK. In her current role, Josie is responsible for managing Northpower’s electricity network, including engineering, asset strategy and investment, customer, operational, commercial, and regulatory functions.
She is currently President of the NZ Electricity Engineers Association, having been on the Board since 2018. Josie is a member of the Institute of Directors, has been a director of Northpower Fibre Ltd. Josie is passionate about ensuring the electricity network continually evolves to meet consumers’ needs, and believes that collaboration both internally and across industry is essential if we are to adapt and learn at pace to meet our customers’ needs.
Raj Singh
GM Operations & Engineering Delivery, Northpower
Bio
Raj joined Northpower in 2008 and is currently GM of Engineering & Operations, responsible for the delivery of maintenance and capital works programme, engineering and 24/7 operation of the Network. Starting out as a graduate engineer, over the last 15 years Raj has held a range of roles within the company, encompassing project management, substation design, construction, testing, and commissioning and protection schemes. This broad experience, gained both on Northpower's Network and across the Pacific, has given Raj a strong focus on ensuring optimal technical, commercial and safety outcomes.
Raj's passion lies in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the electricity distribution network and at the same time designing a future-ready network for evolving customer needs and technologies.
Matt Dobbs
Director, Project & Infrastructure Finance, Westpac
Nick Robb
Director of Development Aus & NZ, Lightsource bp
Rogier Simons
Sunergise & SEANZ Director
Bio
With over 15 years of experience, Rogier is a noteworthy leader with extensive business knowledge of the residential, commercial, and utility solar and BESS sectors. Rogier’s goals include accelerating Aotearoa’s decarbonisation by delivering innovative clean energy, storage and electrification solutions. In addition, he harbours a solid commitment to assisting SEANZ members in navigating and front footing the rapidly growing large-scale commercial and Gigawatt utility solar sectors. His vast experience, clear communication, and ability to be decisive in business will help SEANZ fulfil its trifecta vision!
Alan Rawson
Network Business Development Manager, Northpower
Bio
Alan joined Northpower in 2018 and is the Network’s Business Development Manager. Alan is responsible for overseeing the Network’s stakeholder management, including industrial customers, councils, hapu, community leaders, and interested parties for key projects. Alan also owns the relationship management of large scale distributed generation developers, supporting the development of energy generation in our region. With over 20 years of experience in the contract and commercial space in the technology and infrastructure sectors, Alan is a proud Northlander and wants to see the region thrive in a sustainable way. Being part of New Zealand’s decarbonisation story by supporting development of renewable energy in the North is both exciting and rewarding.
Matt Shanks
Co-Founder / General Manager Lightyears Solar
Scott Walls
Managing Director at Drillco & New Energy
Bio
Scott Walls is Managing Director of Drillco and New Energy. Scott studied and graduated from the University of Waikato with a Masters in Technology Management.
After 30 years delivering projects and programmes in New Zealand and North America Scott bought his passion and drive for innovation to the Renewable Energy Sector.
In the last four years New Energy has been hugely successful delivering projects in Wind and Utility Scale Solar.
Matt Gazzard
Principal Consultant, Electronet
Bio
Matt is a Chartered Engineer and Principal Consultant, with over 20 years’ experience in the distribution and transmission industry in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. Matt has worked with multiple consultancy companies leading the delivery of major substations design and design, build and deliver projects for many customers. Matt is excited to be a leader of transformation of the NZ power system to be 100% renewable, sustainable and carbon neutral.
Master of Ceremonies
Rebecca George
Conference Master of Ceremonies
Mike Puru
Master of Ceremonies - SEANZ Sonnen Industry Gala Dinner and Aotearoa Industry Awards.
