Ngāti Awa | Ngāi Tūhoe | Ngāti Tūwharetoa | Ngāti Rangitihi | Ngāti Māhuta | Ngāti Hikaairo | Ngāti Paoa | Te Aitanga a Māhaki | Rongowhakaata | Ngāti Porou

Greg graduated from Victoria University in 1992 with a BA in Theatre and Film. During 1993 Greg trained as a Primary School Teacher and in 1994 graduated with a Diploma in Secondary teaching from Christchurch College of Education. Greg has taught in secondary schools in New Zealand and England. Much of Greg’s working life has been as an entertainer with over 30 years experience in improvisation and stand-up comedy in New Zealand and overseas. At the same time he has managed to appear on radio, television and film. In the past 10 years Greg switched from the performing arts to advertising as his “day job”, working as a creative director and copywriter. Greg looks forward to MC'ing the conference for the 13th year.

Mark is the current Transportation Group chair with 17 years’ experience as a Transport Planner, qualified in transport engineering and planning and the first Chartered Transport Planner (CTPP) to be awarded in New Zealand. He sits on the CTPP Professional Standards Council.

In 2022, Paul was awarded life membership of Trafinz, the local authority Traffic Institute, after serving on its executive committee for 20 years. In 2025, at the 77th AGM, he was elected President of Trafinz, reflecting his longstanding dedication and leadership within the sector.

Erica Walker, Technical Director, Integrated Transport and Mobility Erica is a Transport Planner with 18 years of international experience. She held high-profile public-sector roles in London, including Chief of Staff for the Deputy Mayor on the city’s transport response to Covid-19, and worked with the Greater London Authority on major projects such as the Cycle Superhighway network and Safer Junctions programmes, Bakerloo Line Extension and devolution of London’s Suburban Railways. Erica understands the opportunities to integrate transport and urban development, having been involved in regeneration opportunities associated with Crossrail and High Speed 2. Since joining Aurecon, Erica has worked extensively with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and local government in Tauranga, Hamilton and Wellington on their long-term transport strategies and planning for growth.

Tobie is an experienced infrastructure project manager (PMP)® and professional transport planner with 26 years in the built environment, specialising in the planning, development, and delivery of projects. He brings a structured, outcomes focused approach to guiding projects from early concept through to implementation.

A lawyer by profession, Andrew was previously a union leader, Member of Parliament, and senior Cabinet Minister. The Mayor is focussed on making Wellington more affordable, vibrant, inclusive, and a place where everyone can get ahead. He lives in Island Bay with his wife Leigh, and their border terrier Harry. The couple have an adult son.

James Meager is the National MP for Rangitata, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Minister for the South Island, Minister for Youth and Associate Minister of Transport. James, 38, was born and raised Timaru with family from both Mid and South Canterbury. After gaining a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago, James held a number of roles at Otago University, including as a student coordinator and a strategic projects manager for its Māori health workforce development programme. He went on to work for National MP Chris Bishop, as a press secretary for then-Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and as an advisor to opposition leaders Bill English and Simon Bridges. James then spent three years with Simpson Grierson in Wellington and Christchurch, including as a senior solicitor in the public law litigation team. Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his two dogs Alexios (Alex) and Barnabas (Barney), and playing cricket for the Parliamentary Cricket XI aka The Blackbenchers, which he co-captains.

Peter brings over 44 years of policing experience across a broad range of roles and responsibilities. The last 15 years have primarily been spent in senior leadership roles at a national level, focusing on delivery of internal and cross-sector initiatives to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads.

A paediatrician and public health physician by training, Shanthi holds honorary professorial appointments at The University of Auckland, Monash University and University College London. Alongside clinical roles at Middlemore and Kidz First Hospitals, Shanthi is engaged in local and international research collaborations focusing on injury prevention, trauma outcomes, disability, and accessible transport. She has a keen interest in practices and policies supporting meaningful social participation of disabled people, children and older communities. She has served on WHO Expert Advisory Groups in Violence & Injury Prevention, Adolescent Health, and the WHO-UNICEF-Lance Commission ‘A Future for the World’s Children’.

Molly Hoggard is a transport planner at Tonkin + Taylor, specialising in equity, accessibility, and sustainable transport. She works closely with public sector organisations on public and active transport schemes. Her expertise includes stakeholder engagement and bringing together transport operators and councils to work toward shared goals. Molly was a member of the BPAP Refresh, where she fostered strong collaborative relationships with the Wellington Transport Analytics Unit and Metlink teams. Molly is also a co-creator of the Gender Equality Toolkit in Transport and winner of the UK Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation Young Professional of the Year Award 2023 for her commitments to gender-inclusive planning.