Gregory has been a professional actor, writer and director for over 20 years. He began his career at The Court Theatre in Christchurch as a member of the improvised corporate entertainment company The Court Jesters and was part of the New Zealand team that won the World Theatresports title in Los Angeles in 1995. He was integral in establishing the school holiday children’s productions at The Court and since then his children’s shows have been produced and toured throughout New Zealand and Australia. Gregory wrote and directed Mark Hadlow’s one man show MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra). The show that has been performed over 100 times with interest from Australian and UK producers to take off-shore. He co-wrote the critically acclaimed Kate Sheppard musical That Bloody Woman and was commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy to write The Complete History of the Royal New Zealand Navy for their 75th Anniversary Celebrations. He has entertained at hundreds of conferences and events in New Zealand and Australia as a freelance performer and also through corporate event companies such as Conartists, Madant, The Improvisors and The Outwits. Other career highlights have been playing a pot smoking motorcyclist on Shortland Street and Heroic Fawn Number One in the Disney film 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe'. Both these characters are available for corporate events although he hasn’t had any takers to date.

Andy Smith, born in Palmerston North, was a software writer since the mid 1970’s and has worked in the Finance, Telemarketing and Data Warehousing industries around the world. He has a bachelors degree in Computer Science and International Finance. Since going full time as a volunteer from 2007, he spends his time in the Not For Profit (NFP) sector and has gained a Graduate Diploma in NFP Management. He is Convener of the 2WALKandCYCLE conference, a Trustee of the Movement project, part of the team that advocated for SkyPath on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, President of Living Streets Aotearoa, Walk Auckland, treasurer of the International Federation of Pedestrians , treasurer of the Auckland Folk Festival and a Morris Dancer.

Aaron Hawkins is currently serving his first term as Mayor, after two terms as a city councilor. He grew up in and around Invercargill, before moving to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago in 2002. After graduating with a B.A. in Media, Film and Communications, he worked at Radio One 91FM, and as a freelance writer for various print and online publications. Since first being elected in 2013, Mayor Hawkins has focused on supporting our community’s social and environmental wellbeing, which he sees as a priority. Local government plays a vital role in delivering these, particularly when it comes to supporting a just transition to a safer climate future. He has previously chaired the Community & Culture Committee, the Mayor’s Taskforce for Housing, the Dunedin Refugee Steering Group, and the Creative Dunedin Partnership, which helps steer Ara Toi Ōtepoti – An Arts & Culture Strategy for Dunedin. At a national level, Aaron is a founding member and original co-chair of Local Government New Zealand’s Young Elected Members’ network, and an elected representative on the LGNZ National Council. He also sits on the ICLEI Regional Executive Committee, an international network of cities and sub-national governments working towards a more sustainable future. Outside of work, he has spent a lot of time within community arts organisations, serving as a former trustee of the Blue Oyster Arts Trust and chair of the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust. Aaron is married to Anya Sinclair, a nationally recognised artist, and father to Emile, a pre-school Star Wars fanatic. In his spare time, he enjoys going to galleries, listening to records, dancing, watching cricket and playing football with this son.

Michael was first elected to Parliament at the 2016 Mt Roskill by-election. In opposition he was Labour’s spokesperson for Transport, Revenue, and Consumer Affairs, and after the election he had roles as Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities and Chair of the Finance & Expenditure Select Committee, before coming into the Chief Labour Whip role in mid-2019. Following the 2020 General Election, Michael became a sworn Member of the Executive and was appointed by the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern as the Minister of Transport and Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety. He was also given the role of Deputy Leader of the House. Michael also continues a strong association with New Zealand’s vibrant and growing Ethnic Communities owing to his previous role and the highly diverse nature of the Mt Roskill electorate he represents. Prior to his parliamentary role Michael was an Auckland Council member in his community and has held roles providing advice to Habitat for Humanity and as a senior negotiator for the Finance Sector union Finsec. Michael is driven by the core belief that all people deserve the opportunity to flourish and reach their potential regardless of background, and that this is most likely to occur when we build strong, fair, and supportive communities. He believes that an economy and public institutions that are focused on people’s wellbeing will lead to a society that is both more prosperous and just. Along with his wife Julie and their three young sons, Michael lives in Roskill South where he loves to tramp along the Waikowhai Coast, tends to a very neglected vegetable garden, and dreams of an alternative career as a roving international test cricket commentator.

Toby Stoff graduated from Otago University School of Surveying in 1992. He has been with Clark Fortune McDonald since 1999. He has worked in a range of industries, such as New Zealand private surveying practice, offshore construction, mining, and seismic exploration. Toby is passionate about making a difference and sees the built environment as a key element of a successful New Zealand.