Session 8: Awards, panel discussion & conference close
Tracks
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
| Wednesday, March 11, 2026 |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM |
| Rongomātāne Plenary Hall |
Details
Transportation Group awards
Greg Ellis, MC and Mark Gregory, Chair, Transportation Group
Best Abstract
Best Young Author, sponsored by NB Consulting. Presented by: Neil Cree, NB Consulting
Conference Paper that best aligns with the theme
Highly Commended Think Piece Paper
Best Think Piece Paper
Highly Commended Practice Paper
Best Practice Paper, sponsored by NB Consulting. Presented by: Neil Cree, NB Consulting
Highly Commended Research Paper
Best Research Paper, sponsored by Sidra Solutions
Best presentation, sponsored by Moddex. Presented by: Birch Raikes, Moddex
Best Conference Paper overall, sponsored by NZAA. Presented by: Simon Douglas, NZAA
Best contributor to Roundabout
Conference awards
Presented by Greg Ellis, MC, Paul Barker, President, Trafinz and Mark Gregory, Chair, Transportation Group
People’s Choice Award: Oral
People’s Choice best award: Poster
People’s Choice best award: Rapid-fire
People’s Choice best award: Learning Café
People’s Choice best award: Soapbox
Winner of exhibitor quiz
The conference concludes with a panel discussion bringing together senior voices from across policy, safety, delivery and leadership to reflect on the key themes of the past three days. Chaired by Greg Ellis, the panel features Paul Barker, Kenn Beer, Mark Gregory, Peter McKennie, Pippa Mitchell, and George Weeks. Together, they will reflect on what has been heard and discuss what needs to change to deliver safer, more resilient transport systems, leaving delegates with clear takeaways and a forward-looking call to action.
Speaker
Mr Mark Gregory
Principal Transport Planner
Canterbury Regional Council
Presenting TG awards
3:30 PM - 3:45 PMBiography
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.
Mr Neil Cree
Director
NB Consulting
Presenting Best Young Author and Best Practice Paper
3:30 PM - 3:45 PMBiography
Mr Birch Raikes
Sales Manager
Moddex
Presenting Best presentation
3:30 PM - 3:45 PMBiography
Simon Douglas
New Zealand Automobile Association
Presenting winner of Best Conference Paper
3:30 PM - 3:45 PMBiography
Mr Paul Barker
Street Transformation Manager
Wellington City Council
Presenting conference awards
3:45 PM - 3:50 PMBiography
Mr Mark Gregory
Principal Transport Planner
Canterbury Regional Council
Presenting conference awards
3:45 PM - 3:50 PMBiography
Mr Paul Barker
Street Transformation Manager
Wellington City Council
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Mr Kenn Beer
Principal Engineer
Safe System Solutions
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Mr Mark Gregory
Principal Transport Planner
Canterbury Regional Council
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Prof. Susan Krumdieck MNZM
Heriot-Watt University
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Inspector Peter McKennie
Manager: Infringement Transformation
NZ Police
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Dr Pippa Mitchell
Managing Director
MRCagney
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Mr George Weeks
Principal Transport Advisor
Auckland Council
Panellist: Closing panel discussion
3:50 PM - 4:25 PMBiography
Erica Walker
Technical Director, Integrated Transport and Mobility
Aurecon
Conference close
4:25 PM - 4:30 PMBiography
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.
Mr Tobie Pretorius
Project/Programme Manager
Conference close
4:25 PM - 4:30 PMBiography
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.
