Session 6: Plenary
Tracks
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
| Wednesday, March 11, 2026 |
| 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM |
| Rongomātāne Plenary Hall |
Details
Following housekeeping from Conference MC Greg Ellis, George Weeks challenges delegates to rethink the gap between best practice and received wisdom, drawing on urban, planning and transport experience from Aotearoa and abroad. This is followed by an international perspective from Jason Russell, who explores how English devolution is enabling more integrated, long-term transport planning and lessons for New Zealand. The plenary concludes with Peta Brown, who brings the focus back to people, examining how intentional collaboration and investment in human capability underpin successful infrastructure delivery.
Speaker
Greg Ellis
Conference MC
Housekeeping
9:00 AM - 9:05 AMBiography
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.
Mr George Weeks
Principal Transport Advisor
Auckland Council
The Art of the Possible: Best practice vs received wisdom
9:05 AM - 9:40 AMBiography
George Weeks is a Chartered Town Planner, an Urban Designer and an alumnus of the King’s Foundation for the Built Environment. Since 2024 he has been a Principal Transport Advisor in the Transport Strategy team at Auckland Council, focussing on transport-land use integration and long-term transport investment.
George was the lead author for the 2020 Auckland City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) and the co-author of the Kāinga Ora guides Sustainable Transport Outcomes and Master planning for Universal Design.
George has also been a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
He has guest-lectured at Victoria University of Wellington and has spoken at many industry and public events, including the Environmental Defence Society conference, Transport and Health Science Group symposium, Auckland Conversations, Christchurch Conversations, Seoul Universal Design Conference, The Urban Room, Urbanism New Zealand, ‘What If Nelson..?’ and Let’s Get Wellington Moving.
He has also written for the journal of Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects, Greater Auckland and The Spinoff.
Jason Russell
Director Business Transformation
AtkinsRealis
English Devolution: enabling integrated long term transport planning: presenting virtuallyW
9:40 AM - 10:05 AMBiography
Jason is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, with 35 years’ experience in construction and transportation management. Formerly a Corporate Director for two large local authorities in England, Surrey County Council and Oxfordshire County Council, Jason has extensive experience of managing transport assets and delivering large infrastructure programmes in a public sector environment.
Jason joined AtkinsRéalis in 2021 and is a Director in their Transport Advisory Practice. He provides strategic advice to public sector organisations, such as National Highways, Network Rail, and the Department for Transport on investment strategies and other complex problems, including the implication of devolution.
Jason is a UK delegate to PIARC, the World Road Association, where he is leading work on the contribution of roads to economic and social development. He also works with Kings College, London, to trial new alliancing approaches and is a Senior Visiting Lecturer on their MSc in Construction Law.
Peta Brown
Director
Peopleology Ltd
Collaboration: Investing in the humans required for infrastructure delivery
10:05 AM - 10:35 AMBiography
Peta Brown, Director at Peopleology, believes that unlocking collaboration goes beyond contract clauses. It’s about intentionally working together to shape the long-term legacy and resilience of New Zealand’s transport future.
With over 25 years of experience, Peta is one of Australasia’s most experienced collaboration coaches. She has helped teams understand how to leverage collaborative work practices to deliver projects successfully. Peta focuses on the practical aspects that make teams effective, such as building trust, creating shared purpose, and turning strategy conversations into advancing delivery.
What sets Peta apart is her ability to create environments where people feel empowered to do their best work together. She has provided advice and guidance to Chief Executives, Executive Leadership Teams and to some of Australasia’s largest infrastructure collaborative contracts, helping teams navigate the complexities of getting everyone pulling in the same direction.
Peta believes that when teams truly collaborate, not just coordinate, they deliver better outcomes, as well as building something that lasts. Her work bridges that gap between what organisations want to achieve and how people work together day-to-day.
She's passionate about showing the transport sector that intentional collaboration isn't just nice to have, it’s essential for building New Zealand's resilient infrastructure future.
Dr Elliot Fishman
Director
Institute for Sensible Transport
Increasing active transport in NZ – what are the most effective interventions?
10:35 AM - 10:45 AMBiography
Dr Elliot Fishman has 20 years’ experience as a sustainable mobility specialist. He completed his PhD at the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety on the topic of shared micromobility. He is ranked by Stanford University in the top 2% of scientists globally for his contributions to transport. His work has been published in the top-ranking industry journals including the British Medical Journal and the Journal of Transport Geography. He has advised the Australian Prime Minister’s Office on sustainable mobility as well as the New York City Department of Transport and Transport for London regarding bike share. Since 2005 has been the Director at the Institute for Sensible Transport.
Mr Buddy Mikaere
Director
Ngāi Tamarāwaho Environmental & Development Unit Limited
Karakia Kai
10:45 AM - 10:45 AMBiography