Programme | Rotorua, New Zealand
Timezone: NZST
Day One
Tuesday 4 August 2026
8:30am
REGISTRATION OPENS
9:00am
Pre-conference Workshop: Tupu-ake / Emission Trading Scheme User Forum
Facilitated by Ministry for Primary Industries / Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service
11:50am
Lunch & Networking for Conference Delegates
Exhibition Stands, Distinction Hotel, Rotorua
SESSION 1
Chair: Dan Williams, Anderson Lloyd
12:50pm
Conference Welcome and Introduction
John Stulen, Director, Innovatek
1:00pm
Keynote Address | The Natural Capital Asset Class — An International Perspective
David Brand, Chair, International Sustainable Forestry Coalition
1:35pm
Sending Clear Investment Signals for Forestry through Better Climate Policy
Catherine Leining, Policy Fellow, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
2:00pm
Implementing the ETS for Forestry from the 2023 CCRA Changes to Date
John Saunders, Director Forestry Operations, Ministry for Primary Industries / Te Uru Rākau
2:35pm
Q&A Panel Session
With Session 1 Speakers
3:00pm
Afternoon Tea, Coffee & Networking
Coffee Cart kindly sponsored by:
SESSION 2
Chair: John Stulen, Innovatek
3:40pm
Carbon Vault Anxiety – Why Carbon Value Forecasts Change
Felix Brandt, ETS Manager; and
David Crawley, Professional Services Manager, Stand Forestry
David Crawley, Professional Services Manager, Stand Forestry
4:05pm
What International Carbon Buyers Want: Accessing Markets for Positive Local Impact
Duncan Southwell, Head of Growth Initiatives, New Zealand Forest Restoration
4:30pm
The Role of Forestry in Future Climate Mitigation in New Zealand
Andrew Cushen, Chief Executive, Climate Forestry Association
4:45pm
Panel Session
Panelists:
Peter Casey, Chief Executive, Nateva
James Treadwell, Past-President, NZ Institute of Forestry
Te Kapunga Dewes, CEO, Interpine Innovation
Len Gillman, Environmental Consultant
5:10pm
Q&A Panel Session
With Session 2 Speakers
5:30pm
Drinks, Canapés & Networking
Exhibition Stands, Distinction Hotel
Day Two
Wednesday 5 August 2025
SESSION 3
Chair: Whaimutu Dewes, Whainiho Developments
7:30am
Breakfast Function: Carbon Market Dynamics and Developments — What's Really Happening
Nigel Brunel, Managing Director – New Zealand, Marex
Plated breakfast complimentary for all delegates
Kindly sponsored by:
8:00am
Ministerial Address: Climate Change Policy Directions
Hon Simon Watts, Minister of Climate Change, New Zealand Government
8:20am
Q&A Session with the Minister
8:30am
Independent Expert Policy Advice on NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS)
Eva Murray, Principal Analyst, Climate Change Commission
9:00am
Climate Change, Energy Policy and Carbon Markets
Christina Hood, Principal, Compass Climate
9:30am
Q&A Panel
With Session 3 Speakers
9:50am
Morning Tea, Coffee & Networking
Coffee Cart kindly sponsored by:
SESSION 4
Chair: John Stulen, Innovatek
10:30am
Commercial Viability of Nature Market Projects: 20 Years of Lessons Learnt
Sean Weaver, CEO, Ekos Kamahi
11:00am
Transitioning Exotic Forest to Native
Meg Graeme, Ecologist, Natural Solutions/Tāne's Tree Trust
11:30am
Navigating the Emerging Nature Finance Market — Why We Can't Stop at Carbon
Rebecca Lee, Communications Manager, Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust
12:00pm
Carbon-Funded Predator Elimination in Native Forests: An Ongoing Investigation by Zero Invasive Predators in South Westland, New Zealand
Lucas MacDonald, Carbon Project Manager, Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP)
12:30pm
Q&A Panel Session
Voluntary Carbon Markets
12:45pm
Conference Concludes with Lunch & Networking
1:30-3:30pm
WORKSHOP: Managing Fire Risk in Carbon Forests
The workshop will cover the following:
- Findings from the Bioeconomy Science Institute on fire hazard in carbon forests
- TUR and FOA fire risk management guides
- Fire weather and risk triggers tools
- A case study on forest fire risk mitigation
Workshop Facilitators: Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service and Fire and Emergency New Zealand