Monday, 26 May
Setting the stage for electrification (13:00 – 17:15)
Session type
Session
speaker(s)
Time
Venue
Facilitator
Marc Daalder - Senior Political Reporter, Newsroom
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Welcome Address
Glyn Lewers - Mayor of Queenstown Lakes District
13:10
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Why Electrify and Learnings from Around the World
Saul Griffith - International keynote speaker
13:20
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
New Zealand’s National Energy Plan and Queenstown’s Key Role
Rod Drury – Founder, Xero
14:00
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Adaptation and Electrification: Assessing The Climate Change Risks to Renewable Energy and Electricity Networks
Jo Hendy – Chief Executive, Climate Change Commission
14:30
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
The Challenges and Opportunities of Electrification
Geoff Simmons – Chief Economist, Parliamentary Commissioner for Environment
14:50
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Panel and Q&A | Aurora Energy Presents: Optimising the Economics of Electrification
Saul Griffith - International keynote speaker
Geoff Simmons - Chief Economist, Parliamentary Commissioner for Environment
Mike Casey - CEO, Rewiring Aotearoa
Jon Stone - Commercial Manager: Network & Customer, Aurora Energy
15:10
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Afternoon Tea
15:40
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Energy and Climate Policy Leaders on Improving New Zealand's Energy Security and affordability
Hon Simon Watts - Minister of Climate Change
Hon Dr Megan Woods - MP for Wigram
Scott Willis - Green Party List MP
16:00
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Panel and Q&A with MPs
National, Labour, Green panel
16:40
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
Closing Remarks
17:00
Skyline - Wakatipu Room
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Speaking Session
Panel
Break
Workshop
Exhibition and Display
Tuesday, 27 May
Electrification in action
Morning Speaking sessions 09:00 - 12:30
Session Type
session
speaker(s)
Time
Venue
Facilitator
Victoria Crockford - Director, Heft Communications & Advisory
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Opening Remarks
09:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Aurora Energy’s Electricity Network: Unlocking The Value Of Distributed Energy Resources
Richard Fletcher - CEO, Aurora Energy
09:10
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Electrify Queenstown Accelerator
Josh Ellison - Research & Development Lead, Rewiring Aotearoa
Dr Steve Batstone - NZ Energy System Expert, Rewiring Aotearoa Advisor
09:30
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Business How To: Clean and Clever Energy Use
Karen Orr - Sector Decarbonisation, Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority
10:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Morning Tea
10:25
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Energy Efficient Buildings
Andrew Eagles – CEO, NZ Green Building Council
10:45
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Electrifying Aviation and Plans for The Future
Air New Zealand representative
11:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Electrifying Maritime
Fiona Bycroft – CEO, Naut
11:10
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Electrifying Cycling – The World’s Lightest and Most Sustainable Electric Bike
Alex Guichard - Wānaka entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Le Velo Studios
11:20
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Transport of the Future
Chris Allington - CEO, Whoosh
11:30
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Panel and Q&A | Electrifying Transport
Facilitated by Victoria Crockford.
Alex Guichard - Co-Founder of Le Velo Studios
Chris Allington - CEO, Whoosh
Fiona Bycroft – CEO, Naut
Garreth Hayman - CEO, Doppelmayr NZ
11:40
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Panel and Q&A | Electrification in Practice
Facilitated by Victoria Crockford.
Hamish Roberge – Managing Director, Tom Tom Productions
Mike Casey – CEO, Electric Cherries
David Gatward-Ferguson – Managing Director, Nomad Safaris
12:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Closing Remarks
12:25
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Afternoon sessions 12:30 - 15:00
Lunch
Exhibition and Displays
Explore new electrical tech and score exclusive deals at the exhibition.
13:00 - 15:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Workshop 1 | How to Electrify Your Business with Rewiring Aotearoa
Perfect for Queenstown Lakes District businesses who are ready to take the next step towards electrifying.
This "How To" workshop includes practical advice and next steps for electrifying. It is designed to be highly practical and tailored, with data and activities specific to this region.
Attendees are requested to bring business-specific information such as electricity invoices and billing data to ensure maximum value.
NOTE: This workshop is limited to one person per business to ensure access for as many businesses as possible. It is also only open to businesses within the Queenstown Lakes District.
Josh Ellison - Research & Development Lead
Dr Steve Batstone - NZ Energy System Expert
13:00 - 14:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Workshop 2 | How to Switch to Solar: A Practical Guide for Businesses with Sunergise
Perfect for businesses ready to take the next steps towards energy independence and lower emissions.
This practical "How To" workshop walks through the full solar installation journey for businesses. From initial site assessment through to system design, installation, financing, environmental impact, and ongoing maintenance, you'll gain a clear understanding of what's involved and what to expect.
Participants are requested to bring your business's power bills and ideally (but not mandatory) your roof area, orientation of the roof and satellite images of the premises in order for you to be able to more accurately assess your solar potential within the session.
NOTE: This workshop is limited to one person per organisation to ensure access for as many businesses as possible.
Gavin Correia - Business Relationship Manager
John Matthew Capacia - Product Research Analyst
14:00 - 15:00
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Community Evening Sessions from 18:00
Welcome Address
Facilitated by Ben Fahy - Head of Comms at Rewiring Aotearoa, Partnerships Manager at NZ Geographic, Freelance Journalist for Kia Ora magazine.
18:05
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
The Energy Transition
Dr Rebecca Peer – Academic, University of Canterbury
18:10
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
How to Electrify Your Home
Jay Salzke - Ecosystem Lead, Rewiring Aotearoa
18:40
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Panel and Q&A | Electrification and Community Resilience
Mike Casey - CEO, Rewiring Aotearoa
Josh Ellison - Research & Development Lead, Rewiring Aotearoa
Dr Rebecca Peer – Academic, University of Canterbury
Briony Bennett – Senior Energy Innovation Manager, Are Aka
19:15
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
Closing Remarks
Ben Fahy
19:40
Queenstown Event Centre - Stadium
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Speaking Session
Panel
Break
Workshop
Exhibition and Display
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Electric Experiences
Experience
Location
Time
Meeting Point
Electric Cherries Farm Tour
Forest Lodge Orchard
