Speakers

Richelle Ashman

Richelle is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Clarus, where she leads brand and communications strategy for Clarus, Firstgas and First Renewables. Over the past four years, she has led the development and evolution of these businesses’ brands, including the successful rebrand of Firstgas Group to Clarus.

Passionate about clear, transparent communication, Richelle believes understanding public perceptions is key to building trust and supporting informed conversations about New Zealand’s energy future.

Linda Mulvihill

Linda Mulvihill is the Head of Energy & Climate in Fonterra’s Global Sustainability team. Linda grew up on a sheep and beef farm in rural New Zealand, which embedded a passion for the land and agriculture. Linda gets to pursue both of these passions in both her professional and personal life.

Linda works for Fonterra, NZ’s largest dairy co-operative, where she leads the strategy and program to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across the manufacturing sites, while also ensuring that the company has an economic and secure supply of energy. Personally, she has a farm where they are passionate about creating a great product, minimising the environmental impact of beef production, and leaving the land in a better state for future generations to enjoy.

Richard Bartlett (BioGrid)

Richard Bartlett (CPEng, MBA) brings over 16 years of hands-on experience in the design, construction, and commissioning of biomethane & renewable energy projects.

Having managed the commissioning, certification and operational handover of some of the largest biomethane projects in Europe and North America, Richard is well placed to lean-in and support the establishment of a renewable gas industry in Aotearoa Recognised for his structured approach to project management and ability to navigate complex energy infrastructure programs, Richard combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight. He holds postgraduate qualifications in both renewable energy and business, enabling him to bridge technical and commercial domains to accelerate the clean energy transition.

Andy Bedford

As the General Manager of Ecogas Andy is responsible for managing the commercial realities of an anaerobic digestion business in New Zealand. From policy conversations, feedstock management to the day-to-day operations on site no two days is the same for Andy and the team. Ecogas is the first business in New Zealand to inject biomethane into our gas grid through our partnership with First Renewables – this journey has had its challenges, but Andy and the team are producing sustainable biomethane from organic waste which has huge growth potential in New Zealand”. Andy is passionate about Ecogas and the broader anaerobic digestion industry and the potential it has in New Zealand.

Larry Blair

Larry Blair is a seasoned project manager and offshore operations specialist with over 20 years of experience in the energy industry.

As the founder of LBC Consultancy & Project Management, Larry provides high-level project and technical services to large infrastructure, energy, and marine projects. His experience includes offshore operations & project management, shipyard construction management, dairy factory water treatment upgrades, drilling and engineering support.

Beyond consultancy services, Larry is a self-described specialist generalist and an insightful commentator on New Zealand’s energy system via his New Zealand Energy Substack newsletter. A newsletter originally started to explore New Zealand’s energy landscape and to assist readers to develop their own energy literacy. His recent analyses have focused on New Zealand’s energy security, the biological underpinnings of energy demand, and the merits of various fuel substitution initiatives.

With a deep understanding of thermodynamics and using wide boundary system level analysis, he brings a pragmatic and strategic perspective to energy transition and infrastructure development.

Holding a New Zealand Certificate of Engineering (NZCE) in Industrial Measurement and Control, Larry combines technical expertise with hands-on approach, strategic foresight, and a passion to see New Zealand thrive in an abundant, reliable, and cheap energy future.

Karen Boyes

Karen began her role as Executive Director of MEUG (Major Electricity Users’ Group) in early 2023, following nearly 20 years in senior policy, regulatory, and advocacy roles.

Karen has a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Otago, with a focus on energy management.

Before joining MEUG, Karen spent six years at the diversified energy group Clarus as Regulatory Policy Manager, leading a team that oversaw regulatory compliance, reporting and policy engagement. Karen has also worked at Local Government New Zealand, Genesis Energy, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

As Executive Director, Karen’s role at MEUG is to work with the Chair on setting and delivering a strategy and business plan to best support MEUG members.

Richard Briggs

Richard Briggs is Group Manager of Delivery & Partnerships at EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), EECA focuses on improving energy affordability, strengthening supply resilience, and fuelling economic growth through energy efficiency, conservation, and scaling renewable solutions.

Since joining EECA in 2014, Richard has held a number of leadership roles across both business and transport portfolios before being appointed Group Manager in 2022. He now leads the Delivery & Partnerships Group, responsible for market engagement across all sectors, industry and product partnerships, and the delivery of major programmes including Warmer Kiwi Homes and EECA’s business and transport initiatives.

Richard brings more than 30 years of experience across the IT and telecommunications sectors, with extensive expertise in strategic partnerships, commercial delivery, and stakeholder management throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. His career has centred on building strong collaborative relationships, enabling innovation, and delivering practical outcomes at scale.

With a strong focus on energy affordability, reliability, and practical delivery, Richard is passionate about helping New Zealanders access smarter energy solutions that strengthen communities, improve affordability, and support a more secure and self-reliant energy system for the future.

Matt Buckle

Matt Buckle is the Senior Enterprise Sales Manager for New Zealand at EROAD, where he works with some of the country’s largest transport, infrastructure, and utility organisations to improve safety, productivity, compliance, and operational performance through technology. He has over 15 years of experience in fleet management, telematics, and enterprise sales, helping businesses connect operational challenges with practical, data-driven solutions.

Passionate about delivering outcomes rather than simply selling products, Matt is known for his customer-centric approach and his ability to understand the unique challenges faced by complex organisations. Throughout his career, he has partnered with organisations across transport, construction, utilities, and logistics to unlock efficiency, enhance health and safety, and drive measurable business improvements through connected vehicle and asset technologies.

At the GasNZ Forum, Matt will share insights into how data, telematics, and connected fleet technologies are helping organisations improve safety, optimise operations, and prepare for the future of transport and field service management.

Paul Bull

Paul leads EECA’s Business engagement programme with a team of Regional Managers (6), plus Industry and Sector leads to access a wider business audience. Prior to joining in EECA in 2014, have engaged with energy sector through time spent at a large NZ energy generator and retailer (Contact Energy) in both a Key accounts and Regional Sales Manager role, with wide portfolio of Electricity, Natural Gas & LPG customers, plus 18 years working for a multi-national fuel company (Caltex) in wide variety of roles. This has built strong networks and industry knowledge to help drive better outcomes today for New Zealand business.

Debate Moderator Lloyd Burr

Lloyd has been a journalist for 15 years working across online, radio, and television. He was based at Parliament’s press gallery for seven years before heading to London as Newshub’s Europe Correspondent (where he got stranded during Covid).

Since returning, it’s been quite the journey. He hosted Lloyd Burr Live on Today FM, only for the station to be axed a year later. After a brief stint back at Newshub covering the 2023 election, Lloyd was appointed as the co-host of Three’s AM Show, only to lose the job a few months later when Newshub was shut down by management. But he’s back on his feet with his latest jack-of-all-trades gig at Stuff Digital: occasional Explainer Editor, occasional political reporter, occasional Three News anchor, occasional Three News weather presenter, and occasional aviation reporter. He’s currently on a three-month secondment as the site’s Head of News.

Reuben Cairns-Morrison

Reuben leads strategy and growth at Enviro NZ, working across the business to identify new opportunities and shape the company’s long-term direction.

He has also led Enviro NZ’s investigations into upgrading landfill gas to renewable biogas, exploring the strategic, commercial and operational opportunities associated with its development in New Zealand.

Mike Casey

Mike Casey is an entrepreneur and cherry orchardist from Central Otago who has electrified all the machines on his farm and demonstrated how the transition away from diesel can save farmers tens of thousands each year and significantly reduce emissions. He is also the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a New Zealand charity dedicated to electrifying millions of fossil fuel machines across the motu as quickly as possible, and was awarded the Kiwibank Sustainability Leader of the Year award in 2026.

Brennan began his career at the Evonik Morrinsville site as a process engineer, before taking a project management role in Germany. He has worked on the development, commissioning and operation of world-scale hydrogen peroxide plants in Hungary and China. Brennan recently returned to New Zealand with his young family to rejoin the Morrinsville site as Site Manager.

Jeffrey Clarke (GasNZ)

Jeffrey Clarke is Chief Executive of GasNZ, where he represents the organisations shaping New Zealand’s gas future. With a background spanning commercial law, the energy and wine sectors, and scientific research, and experience in both senior leadership and governance roles across industry associations, he brings a pragmatic perspective to New Zealand’s energy challenges and opportunities.

Jeffrey works with government, regulators and industry on the policy and commercial challenges of balancing energy security, affordability and sustainability. He is a strong advocate for raising the level of public understanding of New Zealand’s whole energy system, so that the country can make better, more-informed decisions about the choices facing us. He also champions renewable gases and the role they can play in delivering a resilient, low-emissions energy system.

John Cockburn is President of the New Zealand Association of Bakers Inc (NZAB). The NZAB represents New Zealand’s large plant bread bakers.

As a 3^rd generation baker with more than 40 years’ experience, from apprentice through to the boardroom, John is well versed in the mechanics of the New Zealand baking industry. John owns the Breadcraft bakery in Masterton, employing 200 locals. Breadcraft’s product range has evolved over the years since it was founded by John’s Grandfather in 1942, now focusing on a wide range of products including artisan stone baked products, wraps, bagels, and gluten free products.

Andrew Cowan

Andrew Cowan is the Engineering & Technical Sales Manager at Lowes Industries ltd, New Zealand Designers, Builders and Servicers of Road Tankers and predominately, Dangerous Goods Tank wagons.

Andrew is a Mechanical Engineer & appointed by the NZTA as Heavy Vehicle Certifier for categories HMCD, HVEA, HVET, HVS1, HVS2. He has 17 years’ experience at Lowes Industries Ltd spanning leadership across engineering, design, production, certification and after sales support, Andrew brings a rare end to end perspective on how tanker safety is designed in, built in, and maintained.

Neil Crookes

Neil Crookes is General Manager LPG Operations at Genesis Energy, where he leads the company’s LPG operations, supply chain, customer delivery and safety performance across New Zealand. He has been with Genesis since 2006 and brings extensive experience in energy operations, commercial management and industry leadership. Neil is also Deputy Chair of GasNZ.

David Darby

David is OMV New Zealand’s government engagement and regulatory affairs expert. Prior to joining OMV, David worked for MBIE in a number of roles including managing the NZ Battery Project and a stint in the Beehive as Private Secretary for Energy for Hon Dr Megan Woods. He has also worked in science and management roles for GNS Science, and in the upstream petroleum industry internationally for Maersk, BG Group, and Ikon Science. David is a geologist by training, and has a PhD from Glasgow University.

Karen Davidson

Karen is the Chief Inspector High Hazards, within the High Hazards, Energy & Public Safety group in WorkSafe New Zealand/Aotearoa. As Chief Inspector Karen is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to managers, specialist investigators and inspectors undertaking investigations, safety case assessments and hazardous substance inspections across New Zealand/Aotearoa. She has 26 years’ experience delivering, leading and transforming frontline regulatory operations in WorkSafe across New Zealand.

Her career has focussed on high-hazard and complex risk environments including oversight of high hazard industries, MHF and sub-MHF facilities, hydrogen, explosives, rocket launch, waste oil, and management of hazardous substances. She is also a health and safety practitioner having previously spent 10 years carrying out inspections, investigations and prosecutions in high-risk sectors. She has experience in leading major incident responses, targeted interventions and project management.

She holds a Massey University diploma in OH&S, a member of IOSH/NEBOSH/NZISM and an alumni graduate in Leadership & Governance, Strategy & Finance.

Mo Ehsan

Mo Ehsan is National Sales Manager for Linde New Zealand, leading the Elgas LPG and BOC industrial gases sales businesses nationwide. With extensive experience across the energy and industrial gases sectors, he has held leadership roles spanning engineering, sales, and business development, driving growth, customer value, and long-term business performance.

Mo is a Chartered Director through the Institute of Directors New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Project Management. He serves as a Board Member of GasNZ, contributing to industry leadership and advocacy, and is passionate about developing high-performing teams, strengthening customer partnerships, and supporting the future growth and sustainability of New Zealand’s energy sector.

Don Elers

Don leads the Powerco Gas Team, ensuring the planning and operations of our Gas networks are aligned to deliver the energy mix that customers want today and in the future. This includes the development and integration of biogas and other renewable gases to reduce New Zealand’s emissions and increase renewable energy to help Aotearoa ‘grow to zero’.

With a trade background, starting as an engineering cadet in the gas industry 30 years ago, Don has hands on experience in construction and maintenance, project management and contract management.

He has held senior service delivery and operational roles in the gas sector within New Zealand and is experienced in asset strategy and planning, management of safety and operational risk.

Don joined Powerco in 2010 as the Gas Service Delivery Manager and has successfully led a transformation of an asset-centric delivery model to a customer-focused operations model.

“The challenge for New Zealand to move to a more sustainable energy future is significant. With that challenge comes opportunity, and our gas business is well placed to provide leadership and solutions to transition to a net zero carbon energy mix in New Zealand. It’s more than opportunity – it’s our responsibility. We service New Zealand communities, these are our whānau, so we have a responsibility to ensure the pathway to a sustainable energy future is an affordable one.”

Lukas Erasmus

Lukas Erasmus is a mechanical engineer and LPG Asset Manager at Genesis, with over 14 years of engineering experience across the energy, industrial and manufacturing sectors in New Zealand and South Africa. Since joining Genesis in 2022, he has held roles as LPG Technical Specialist and LPG Engineering and Maintenance Manager before moving into his current asset management role.

His experience spans project delivery, maintenance, asset integrity, regulatory compliance and the safe management of LPG infrastructure. At the GasNZ Forum, Lukas will contribute to the session on 222 kg LPG Installation Compliance and Code of Practice, sharing practical perspectives on compliance requirements and the application of the new Code of Practice to real-world installations.

Chief Executive Officer Powerco:

Powerco is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest dual electricity and gas distributor by network length, with over a million people (across more than 500,000 connections) connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity network covers Coromandel to South Waikato, western Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Manawatū, Wairarapa, and Tairāwhiti and Wairoa (Firstlight Network). Its gas network covers Taranaki, Horowhenua, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū, Porirua, Hutt Valley and Wellington.

Jason is the Chief Executive of Powerco, leading the Powerco whānau to deliver on commitments to customers and wider stakeholders.

He joined Powerco in April 2025, after leading PowerNet Limited, a role he held since 2012. Prior to PowerNet, Jason had a 14-year career in the Rio Tinto group working in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. He began his career at the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. Jason has previously served as a board member of the Electricity Networks Association, the Executive Committee of the Major Electricity Users Group and the Wholesale Advisory Group for the Electricity Authority. He is a director of SBS Bank Limited, Great South and has also been a director of Invercargill Airport and chair and director of Rugby Southland.

Ben Gerritsen

Ben Gerritsen is the General Manager of Customer and Regulatory at Clarus. He leads the commercial management of the gas transmission system, Firstgas distribution networks, and the Ahuroa gas storage facility. He also has responsibility for policy and regulatory engagement, marketing and external communications and is the proud owner of several gas appliances.

Peter Gilbert

Trained as a Gas Engineer by British Gas. Executive Director of the LPG Association of NZ from 1990 to 2021, also the Executive Officer of the Gas Association of NZ from 2011 to 2021. Retired in 2021 but still involved with Industry representing GasNZ on 3 Australia/NZ Standards, as well as facilitating the Technical and Gas equipment Supplier committees. Member of the New Zealand Standards Approval Board from 2016 to 2025.

Paul Goodeve

Paul Goodeve has been at the helm of Clarus as Chief Executive since 2016 and has a wealth of experience in both regulated and non-regulated transmission and distribution energy infrastructure. His leadership has been pivotal in developing and implementing Clarus’ strategic business plan and driving forward key renewable energy projects

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Paul’s leadership style is characterised by his personable, honest, and relatable approach, which has enabled him to build effective teams and foster strong, enduring relationships throughout his career. His tenure at Clarus has been marked by several significant achievements, including the acquisition of Firstlight Network in 2022, and Rockgas and the Ahuroa gas storage facility in 2018. Under his leadership, Clarus obtained a Baa2 credit rating from Moody’s in June 2020 and completed a NZ$610M United States private placement debt transaction that was 6.5x oversubscribed, with US$ tranches priced at the lowest coupon reported for a USPP by a New Zealand issuer. This transaction represented the third largest USPP ever for a New Zealand company. Before joining Clarus, Paul spent 12 years at Powerco, where he held various roles in regulatory, legal, pricing, commercial, business development, and operations.

Paul is a Chartered Accountant, Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, and a member of the Institute of Directors. He currently serves as a Director of the Gas Industry Company and is a board member of the Ara Ake Board and Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum Board. Paul resides in Taranaki with his family.

Chase Hancock

With a foundation in mechanical engineering, Chase has diverse career experience across energy policy, infrastructure planning, technology commercialisation, strategy, and portfolio management.

Passionate about unlocking the significant potential of renewable gas, he is focussed on enabling scale for sustainable gas solutions to empower regional economies and strengthen energy security in New Zealand. Chase led the GasNZ project to develop the Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan.

Andreas Heuser

Heuser|Whittington, a Wellington economics and public policy consultancy. He advises Ministers, regulators and infrastructure owners on energy and network economics. He previously led the Asia-Pacific practice of a global consultancy. He has led studies, modelling and strategic advice on liquid fuels, gas, hydrogen, renewable energy, and electrification for MBIE, the Gas Industry Company, several network owners, energy users and government agencies in New Zealand and Asia-Pacific

Xavier Hey

Xavier Hey is the Program & Process Performance Manager in the Powerco Gas Operations team. This team has a range of responsibilities including scheduled maintenance planning, asset information and as-building, engineering drafting, field mobility support and asset settlement.

Xavier started with Powerco as a Graduate Gas Engineer after completing his mechanical engineering degree at the University of Canterbury. Shortly after starting, he discovered his true passion for business operations and process optimisation, where he can operate at the interface between contractors, regulation, standards and digital systems. Currently he is focused on bringing the Gas Operations team and their contractors further into the digital age, promoting real-time data collection, delivery and availability to enable insights for informed decision making.

John Holt

John is an experienced company director and entrepreneur with governance and executive experience across a wide range of company stages and industries. His purpose statement is to: “actively engage the world, learn, grow and share with others”.

John founded Technology and Innovations New Zealand (TAINZ) at age 17 to pursue his passion for evolving innovative ideas that solve meaningful problems into successful, scalable businesses.

He is the co-founder of New Zealand technology startups Sonar6 (sold to United States company Cornerstone in 2012) and homes.co.nz (sold to New Zealand corporate Trade Me in 2021). He is currently Chief Executive-Acting of Tāwhaki Joint Venture, Chair of Sovereign Technology Alliance, a Director of Airways, and Managing Director of TAINZ.

John has a Bachelor of Arts in military history and a postgraduate diploma in business administration. He has had a lifelong interest in aviation and is a flying member of the Canterbury Aero Club.

Since 2020, John has focused on applying his experience, connections, curiosity and skills specifically to the areas of strategy, sales and culture to improve the readiness of organisations of all shapes and sizes for the future.

Christo Janse van Rensburg

As Chief Executive Officer of Liquigas Limited, Christo Janse van Rensburg leads New Zealand’s bulk LPG infrastructure provider. Over the past 20 years, he has built extensive experience across the energy and petrochemical sectors, holding senior leadership roles in operations, engineering, and commercial.

In addition to his executive role, Christo serves on the GasNZ Board. He is passionate about leadership and developing an organisation that enable the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of energy for New Zealand.

Tim Kerr

Adviser at Gas Industry Company. He joined Gas Industry Company in 2016 having previously held roles in the electricity sector in New Zealand and overseas.

Chris Kilby

Chris is a Principal Adviser at the Gas Industry Company and has significant years of experience in energy markets. Chris has previously worked for Shell New Zealand and held a number of senior roles within the energy sector.

Sheree is the Portfolio Lead – Energy and Extractives at the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board. With more than 15 years’ experience across New Zealand’s energy and labour market sectors, she has worked with industry, education providers and government to strengthen workforce development and vocational pathways. More recently she was the project manager and author of Re-Energise 26, a workforce report and industry skills action plan for New Zealand’s energy sector.

Ramu Naidoo

Ramu is the Head of Security of Supply and Forecasting at Transpower New Zealand, where he leads the System Operator’s assessment of New Zealand’s electricity security of supply. He is responsible for the annual Security of Supply Assessment which provides industry with an assessment of energy and capacity margins for the next decade, operational energy risk outlooks which provides risk triggers for industry action and the development of market insights. Together these help support industry operational preparedness, investment decisions and policy development. Ramu works closely with industry participants, government agencies, and regulators to identify emerging risks and opportunities as New Zealand transitions to a low-emissions electricity system. He has extensive experience in electricity markets, modelling, forecasting and planning with a strong focus on balancing reliability and efficiency in a rapidly evolving energy sector.

Jen Nolan

Jen is the founder of public affairs consultancy At Large and brings over 25 years of experience in corporate affairs and proactive stakeholder engagement at the Cabinet and C-suite levels.

She has extensive crisis and issues management credentials, drawing on her corporate, public affairs and media background. Jen has held several roles for large international corporations and government agencies and is a former broadcast journalist and producer, reporting and producing on the Holmes Show, Close Up, 20/20, and 60 Minutes.  

Prior to founding At Large, Jen spent nearly a decade as the Director of External Affairs for Rio Tinto in New Zealand. Jen has also worked in government agencies and departments while working with the Ministry for the Environment, the Climate Change Commission cited her stakeholder engagement and consultation advice as an exemplar.  

John Pagani

John Pagani consults in sustainability and energy working on gas, geothermal and infrastructure projects. He was previously on the senior management team at dual-listed New Zealand Oil & Gas (now Echelon ASX:ECH). He is well-known to the gas sector from his work with Gas Industry Company on transition and sector engagement. He is a member of the government’s Gas Advisory Panel advising on investment of the $200 million gas security fund.

John’s career started in media, where he won multiple awards as executive producer of the Paul Holmes radio news programme before moving to work at Parliament, where his senior strategy roles included chief of staff and chief press secretary.

He has a qualification in business from the University of Chicago, in politics from the University of Auckland and in law from Victoria University of Wellington. In 2026, John completed a masters in law at the University of Waikato.

Justin Post

Justin Post is the Chief Operating Officer of New Zealand Energy Corporation (NZEC), where he is responsible for the company’s production operations, field development activities and the delivery of the Tariki Gas Storage Project.

Justin has more than 30 years’ experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, spanning production operations, engineering, asset integrity, major projects and executive leadership. Prior to joining NZEC, he held senior leadership roles at Todd Energy, where he led production operations across the company’s producing assets and was responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of critical energy infrastructure.

At NZEC, Justin is focused on maximising value from mature assets while advancing strategic energy infrastructure that supports New Zealand’s long-term energy security. He has a particular interest in integrating domestic gas production, underground gas storage and future LNG import capability to improve market resilience, reduce price volatility and support the country’s transition to a lower-emissions energy system.

Greg Price

LPG Logistics Manager, Genesis

Greg Price is LPG Logistics Manager at Genesis Energy, where he leads the Fleet, Planning and Bulk Logistics functions across New Zealand. Since joining Genesis in 2023, Greg has held leadership roles across the LPG business, initially as LPG Fleet Manager, where he applied his extensive transport and logistics experience to the management and development of a diverse mobile fleet encompassing cylinder exchange trucks, Bobtails, road tankers and LPG ISO vessels.

Throughout his career, Greg has worked closely with industry partners and operational teams to optimise complex supply chains across liquid fuels, pharmaceuticals, road and air freight, dairy, and paper. His experience spans diverse and demanding operating environments, with a strong focus on developing practical, commercially sound solutions to complex logistics challenges.

Greg brings more than 20 years of supply chain and logistics experience across New Zealand and Australia, with a particular focus on transport operations, fleet management, distribution and supply chain optimisation.

David Reeve

David Reeve is a Director at Sapere Research Group. David specialises in electricity markets, power-system operation and security of supply. His gas-sector work focuses on the role of fuels in maintaining a reliable electricity system, including the interaction between gas availability, generation and dry-year risk. David was a co-author of Rewiring Aotearoa’s report From Faultlines to Resilience and is also an electricity-industry educator through Whiteboard Energy.

Aneesh Shinde

Aneesh Shinde is the Business Manager – Engineering New Zealand for Linde, leading the engineering functions that support BOC and Elgas operations across New Zealand. He is responsible for engineering strategy, project delivery, maintenance, compliance, and technical services associated with industrial gas and LPG infrastructure. Over his career, Aneesh has held leadership roles across engineering, maintenance, project delivery, and national service operations, with experience spanning industrial gases, energy systems, and critical infrastructure.

In addition to his role at Linde, Aneesh serves as a Non-Executive Director of Liquigas Ltd, contributing to the governance and strategic direction of one of New Zealand’s key LPG infrastructure businesses. Prior to rejoining Linde, he held a senior leadership role at Windsor Energy, leading teams delivering industrial energy, process heat, combustion, boiler, burner, and engineered thermal solutions across New Zealand and the Pacific. He holds postgraduate qualifications in Engineering and a Master of Energy from the University of Auckland and is passionate about advancing safe, reliable, and innovative engineering solutions across New Zealand’s energy sector.

Stacey Shortall

Stacey has more than 25 years of experience successfully representing financial institutions, other corporate clients, public sector entities, and directors and officers in significant litigation and regulatory matters. She has been recognised as a leading lawyer in New Zealand by Chambers Global and Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Legal Media Group, and NZ Lawyer.

Alongside a broad regulatory and litigation practice, including substantial trial and appellate experience, Stacey also provides legal and strategic advice on a wide variety of matters to directors, executive management, and in-house counsel. She is frequently instructed to conduct internal reviews and self-assessments for clients and their boards.

Co-author of the Thomson Reuters book titled Health and Safety at Work in New Zealand: Know the Law, Stacey is particularly experienced with health and safety matters. She regularly assists clients with coronial inquiries, internal and WorkSafe investigations following incidents, prosecutions, and crisis management.

Cory Spence is Director of Linde New Zealand & Pacific Islands, leading industrial gas and energy businesses across New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industrial gases and energy sectors, he has held leadership roles spanning sales, operations, engineering, safety, governance and general management across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.

Cory has a strong track record in business transformation, operational improvement, M&A integration and leadership development. He currently serves on several South Pacific boards including BOC and ELGAS and is a director of Liquigas New Zealand. He is Chairperson for Linde’s Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands businesses. A Chartered Director and graduate of Massey University, he is passionate about building high-performing teams, strengthening safety cultures and supporting the future growth and sustainability of New Zealand’s energy sector.

Kevin Towart

Kevin Towart is a WorkSafe-authorised Compliance Certifier for Class 2.1.1A LPG, bringing more than a decade of specialist experience to the role. Before becoming a certifier, he owned and operated a Rockgas Distribution Franchise depot for 12 years, giving him deep practical knowledge of LPG handling, distribution, and safety.

Caitlin Tromop van Dalen

Caitlin Tromop van Dalen is the Gas Network Reliability Engineer at Powerco. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Energy Studies and has worked across the energy sector in roles spanning electricity market operations, gas market policy, and energy security. Before joining Powerco, Caitlin worked at Transpower on security of supply and at Gas Industry Co, where she specialised in gas supply, demand, and the energy transition. She now draws on this experience to explore the future of gas distribution in New Zealand and the challenges facing the energy system as it evolves.

Tim Ussher

Tim Ussher is a Future Fuels Engineer at Clarus, based in New Plymouth. His role is focused on the delivery of renewable gas projects as well as providing technical and operational support for the Reporoa Biomethane Upgrading Facility. Tim is a chemical and process engineer, with more than fifteen years’ experience across petrochemical, oil and gas, utilities and renewables. Tim is passionate about identifying practical, scalable, aggregated, wholistic and optimised solutions that supports New Zealand’s energy transition.

Erik Vandenberg

Erik Vandenberg is General Manager – Growth & Energy Transition at Verbrec and an engineer with more than 20 years’ experience across the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors. His work spans engineering, asset management, project development and commercial strategy, with a current focus on the practical development of renewable gas, bioenergy and low-carbon fuels in Australia. Erik brings a strongly technoeconomic perspective to the energy transition, focusing on how emerging technologies, existing infrastructure and viable commercial models can be brought together to develop investable projects and new industries.

Matt Verry

Matt is the Commercial Lead, Wholesale and Trading for Nova Energy. He has an extensive background in both technical and commercial roles across the New Zealand energy sector, from hydro generation to regulated gas assets.

Andrew Walker

Andrew joined Gas Industry Co in 2008 and has been a Principal Adviser since 2020. He previously worked in financial services in London and has a background in Mathematics and Economics.

Bob Weston

Bob ran Entec Services Limited for 25 years prior to taking on his current role of Director – Future Business. Entec has been a key provider of equipment and services to New Zealand’s gas industry since the business was founded in 1982, providing mechanical, instrumentation, electrical and gas detection expertise.

Entec was a pioneer in the effective and efficient use of biogas (both landfill gas and digester gas) in the country, with successful CHP projects in municipal WWTP’s, and gas recovery and power generation from a number of landfills. Bob was involved in all aspects of these projects including project development, construction, operations and maintenance, and he was an active member of the Bioenergy Association’s biogas committee for much of this time.

While Entec remains very active in the gas industry, Bob’s current focus is on building the market for Entec’s next 45 years in business, meaning most of his time is working in electrification and wider decarbonisation initiatives.

Alan Young

Alan Young is a Director at Enerlytica, delivering NZ focused energy market research and advisory services. Alan started his career in the oil and gas industry, developing LNG export projects, operating gas/LNG sale and purchase agreements, and working within shipping and trading teams in the UK, Australia, Tanzania, West Africa, and Brazil. He subsequently moved into strategy consulting with PwC, working from London on energy projects around the world. Alan and his partner Nia came to New Zealand on a sabbatical at the end of 2019, got happily stuck in the country as a result of covid, and have been here ever since.

Confirmed presenters include:

Richelle Ashman

Jack Ballagh

Richard Bartlett