Day 1 – NZEF speakers

Matt Bolger joined the University of Waikato in 2020 as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Waikato Management School / Te Raupapa. Prior to that Matt held a variety of senior leadership roles over 18 years at Fonterra, New Zealand's largest multinational company.

His work ranged from corporate strategy and financial structuring; to managing global sales teams based out of Chicago; to leading teams focused on grassroots environmental and agritech programmes.

Matt is also Chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ), the industry body for New Zealand's world-leading dairy processing, marketing and exporting organisations.

In March 2025 he will return to Fonterra to take up the role of Managing Director Co-operative Affairs. However, he will also retain the part-time position of Senior Fellow in the Vice-Chancellor's Office at the University of Waikato.

Hon. Nicola Willis is the Minister of Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Social Investment, and Associate Minister of Climate Change. She is also Deputy Leader of the New Zealand National Party.

Prior to being elected an MP in 2018, Nicola held a number of senior management roles at NZ dairy co-operative Fonterra, where her work included leadership of the global trade strategy team. She also served on the boards of Export NZ and policy think-tank The New Zealand Initiative.

Nicola was a senior advisor to former Prime Minister John Key during his first term in government, and she was a researcher for Bill English as opposition education spokesperson.

One of New Zealand’s leading economic commentators, Brad Olsen is the Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics. He is passionate about using economics to make better informed decisions, and has the ability to communicate complex trends in a simple, relatable manner.

With extensive networks across the business, media, community, and social sectors, Brad brings together a variety of views, data, and emerging trends to inform his economic analysis to key decision-makers across New Zealand.

As a young person under 30, he brings a different perspective to the key opportunities and challenges that New Zealand faces, such as housing and infrastructure. Brad is also a community leader who was named Young Wellingtonian of the Year 2020, one of Asia New Zealand Foundation’s ‘25 to Watch’ in 2019, and New Zealand’s Queen’s Young Leader in 2016.

Sharon Zollner joined the ANZ team in 2010 and became Chief Economist in late 2017. She leads a high-performing team of six sector specialists who provide forecasts and research on the New Zealand economy and financial markets.

Sharon is an engaging, highly skilled media communicator who has a talent for discussing economic topics in an accessible way and bringing macroeconomic trends to life. She finds it rewarding to help people understand the bigger forces at work that impact them on a personal level.

Sharon started her career as a macroeconomist at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in 1998, and was later seconded to work at the central bank of Norway for two years. In 2006 she moved into the private banking sector to work as a senior economist at Westpac, and then ANZ.

Nick Tuffley was appointed as ASB’s Chief Economist in 2007, having previously worked at Westpac and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

He leads of team who provide regular analysis of economic developments through written publications and media comments, with the objective of helping the bank's clients make better-informed business and personal finance decisions. His team has also won four Consensus Economics Forecast Accuracy Awards.

One of Nick's strengths is his ability to communicate complex ideas in a readily understandable and entertaining way.  He thrives on helping people understand the economic environment to help enrich the quality of their business or personal life.

Brandon Hutcheson is the Chief Executive Officer of Aware Group, New Zealand's leading emerging technology services firm, specialising in AI and data consultancy and development services for nearly a decade.

Brandon has spoken on AI and ethics around the world, with a special focus on emerging market adoption, aged care accessibility, and society's acceptance.

In 2024 Aware was acquired by European tech giant HSO, and Brandon's role has now expanded to deploying New Zealand's model of deploying AI with a strong focus on ethics around the world.

Dr. Amanda Williamson's career in artificial intelligence (AI) and data has taken her from academia to industry, helping people translate artificial intelligence, data and technology into practical solutions for organisations.

As the National AI Lead for Deloitte, Amanda is immersed in managing client-focused technical AI projects and supporting internal initiatives. Her deep knowledge of analytics, machine learning and project/product management, combined with 15 years of experience in innovation and strategy research, provides a unique perspective for generating a data-enriched strategy and developing products.

She also works part-time as a Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Strategy at Waikato Management School, and sits on the governance board of the Artificial Intelligence Researchers' Association of New Zealand.

Glen Willoughby is CEO at Staples VR, which provides virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology solutions for industries such as aerospace, defense, and film.  Previously he was CEO of Nilo, one of the world's leading environmental technology innovation companies, which converts waste streams into reusable products at scale.

Glen has also worked as an advisor for NASA, as Chief Information Officer at Singularity Group in San Francisco, and held pivotal roles in New Zealand's health sector, contributing to significant digital transformation efforts.

He is a regular international keynote speaker on technology innovation, AI, organisation transformation and performance. Glen is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, a board member of the New Zealand AI Forum, and he holds an MBA from The University of Waikato.

Sir Brian Roche (KNZM) has a proven track record of leadership and governance in significant roles across the government and business sectors. He was appointed as the new Public Service Commissioner in November 2024, charged with overseeing the public service’s performance and delivery, and employing chief executives.

In 2023, he chaired a taskforce assisting Ministers on the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Throughout his distinguished career, Sir Brian has been CEO of New Zealand Post Group, and Chair of Waka Kotahi, City Rail Link, and the Covid-19 Independent Continuous Improvement Group. He also chaired the Hurricanes rugby franchise, and led New Zealand's bid to host and then deliver the Rugby World Cup 2011. A former senior partner at PwC, in the 1990s Sir Brian was chief Crown negotiator for Ngai Tahu's Treaty claim.

Hon. Anne Tolley has more than 30 years' experience in local and central government, most recently as Chair of the Commisssion appointed to replace the Tauranga City Council from Feb 2021 to July 2024.

Anne served as a Government Minister from 2008-2017, holding portfolios in local government, social development, children, education, police, and corrections. From 2017-2020 she was Deputy Speaker of the House. First elected to Napier City Council in 1986, Anne served as Deputy Mayor for six years (1989-1995). She entered Parliament as an MP on the National Party list in 1999, and was then successfully elected as MP for East Coast from 2005-2020.

She currently chairs the board of Horizon Energy Group (HEG), which owns diverse businesses including electricity distribution and infrastructure, refrigeration, building services, facility services, and electrical solutions.

Hon. Nanaia Mahuta (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Manu) served in Parliament and her constituency of Hauraki-Waikato for 27 years, from 1996 to 2023.

In 2020, Nanaia became the first woman to become Minister for Māori Development and Foreign Affairs. She introduced the concept of indigenous values to Aotearoa New Zealand's diplomacy toolkit, strengthened the relationship with the Pacific, and uplifted Māori economic participation through social procurement.

She also held various other ministerial portfolios, including local government, youth affairs, trade and export growth, environment, housing, tourism, customs, disarmament and arms control.

During her time in Parliament, Nanaia supported policies and initiatives that built the capacity of communities, especially social service organisations, greater investment in education, employment and training opportunities, particularly for young people.

Nanaia is currently an Honorary Professor at Te Kotahi Research Institute. She is a mother, strategic adviser, mentor, independent director, and a fledgling writer.

Professor Frank Scrimgeour is an internationally regarded economist, researcher, lecturer and business/policy advisor who has spent more than two decades of his professional career at the University of Waikato's Management School.

Frank's research focuses on the economics of agriculture, the environment, regional economics, and financial economics. Recent projects include the impact of climate cange on food production, and the drivers of demand for emerging food products in different markets.

Frank has been awarded lifetime membership of the New Zealand Association of Economists, and the New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.

Jeremy is the Managing Director of RCP, a New Zealand-owned multidisciplinary consultancy that provides strategic, project management and procurement advice to clients on property and infrastructure projects.

With a degree in architecture, Jeremy has worked on many iconic projects of national significance, including the Sky Tower and Sky City Entertainment Complex in Auckland, the Canterbury Rebuild, the Commercial Bay Precinct, Auckland International Airport, Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, and Westgate Town Centre.

Jeremy brings to the team a strong sense of curiosity and the ability to redefine RCP’s business as it heads into the future. He believes the impact of technology and the growing need for social responsibility presents exciting opportunities to create a circularity of services that society needs now and well into the future.

Professor Emily Parker is Associate Dean of Science Research at Victoria University of Wellington. She is also Professor of Synthetic and Chemical Biology at the Ferrier Research Institute, where her research group is developing new treatments for diseases, and generating valuable new products.

Emily was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2019, and she was appointed as a Science Advisor to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in 2023. She is also Deputy Director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, which is focused on developing cutting-edge drugs, vaccines and tools for early diagnosis, prevention, and combatting severe human diseases.

Emily has served on the board of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and chairs AgResearch’s Science Advisory Panel. She has been involved in the governance of the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge.

Dr William Rolleston (CNZM) is co-founder of biotech and vaccine manufacturing company South Pacific Sera Limited; an industry pioneer that grew out of a diversification of his family’s farming business on Blue Cliffs Station.

William has advocated for science, industry and agriculture as both the founding chair of Biotech NZ and the Life Sciences Network; and as president of New Zealand Federated Farmers and the World Farmers Organisation.

He has also advised local and central government on science strategy, economic development and biosecurity through the Science and Innovation Boards, Aoraki Development Trust, and as external advisor to the Governor of the Reserve Bank.

William chairs Genomics Aotearoa and is Pillar Lead (Manufacturing) of the national RNA Platform. He has a degree in medicine and sits on the government’s Science System and Gene Technology Advisory Groups. He was awarded the Distinguished Biotechnologist of the Year for services to the biotechnology industry in 2009 and inducted into the Biotech Hall of Fame in 2023.

Professor Neil Quigley was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato in 2015. He has extensive governance experience, and is currently Chair of the board of directors of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and former Chair of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Neil previously held various positions at Victoria University of Wellington, where he was at different times Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Provost, Pro Vice-Chancellor - Faculty of Commerce, and Professor of Economics. He was also a Professor of Economics at the University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Neil has taught and pubished research in the fields of industrial organisation, money and finance, and economic history.

Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe) is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori and Engagement at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Rawinia is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal, a board member of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and the current Chair and Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori - The Māori Language Commission; the first woman appointed to this position.

Her research expertise is Māori language revitalisation - specifically language planning and policy - and she was instrumental in shaping the current Māori language legislation and policy framework.

She was elected as a Pacific Region representative on the Global Taskforce for the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages. She has also been appointed to a number of governance and advisory board roles for government, Māori and iwi.

Hon. Tim Groser is one of the world’s leading experts in international trade. Now an independent consultant, he has been a key figure in New Zealand trade over several decades, and served as Ambassador to the United States from 2016–2018.

As one of the key negotiators of the NZ-Australia Closer Economic Relations (CER) free trade agreement signed in 1983, Tim was then appointed NZ Chief Agriculture Negotiator (resident in Geneva), with responsibility for the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiating. In 1990, Tim became Chief Negotiator with responsibility for the negotiations across all issues.

He served as Ambassador to Indonesia (1994-1997) and was then appointed Principal Economic Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he served until appointed CEO of the Asia 2000 Foundation. In 2002 Tim was appointed Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and chaired both the Rules Group and the Agriculture Negotiating Group – the first New Zealander to do so.

Tim became a list MP for the National Party and spokesperson on trade in 2005. He served as Minister of Trade, Climate Change, and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008-2015.

Leon Grice has a wealth of experience in business, technology, and government, with strong ties to the United States.

As New Zealand’s Consul General in Los Angeles (2012–2017), he led initiatives like the America’s Cup 2013 leverage programme, and built a partnership between the Gates Foundation and New Zealand dairy companies. As Chair of the New Zealand-USA Council (2017–2023), Leon strengthened bilateral ties and hosted President Barack Obama’s 2018 visit to New Zealand.

Leon began his career in public affairs and overseas investment facilitation, founding consultancy Busby Ramshaw Grice (BRG) in 1995, enterprise software firm CloseAssociate in 2000, and digital media business Twenty4media in 2006. He led the team responsible for delivering New Zealand’s 2011 Rugby World Cup leverage and legacy programme.

Leon is a co-founder of Rako Science, which introduced Covid-19 saliva testing to NZ, and he is involved with biotechnology innovation as a co-founder of Tara Science. In 2024, he was appointed Chair of Antarctica New Zealand, overseeing the Scott Base redevelopment project.

Professor Anna Strutt is an economist at the University of Waikato's Management School, where she specialises in international trade modelling and analysis.

She has served as a consultant to a range of national and international organisations, including the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the World Bank.

Anna has contributed to modelling the impacts of trade agreements for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She also recently worked with UNESCAP on modelling the sustainability impacts of digital trade, and is currently leading a team contributing to UNCTAD's international database on non-tariff measures.

An accomplished businessman and politician, Hon. Steven Joyce brings a unique combination of experience to his work as an independent commercial and public policy advisor.

Steven co-founded and later became CEO of RadioWorks, served as a Government Minister from 2008-2017, and he chaired the National Party’s campaign for five general elections.

During his time in government, he managed a string of ministerial portfolios, including finance, infrastructure, transport, economic development, science and innovation, tertiary education, skills and employment, and ICT. He led the economic growth programme, ultrafast broadband rollout, and the country’s largest highway building programme in decades.

Steven's deep understanding of the public sector complements his success at establishing and growing his own business. He currently chairs the business advisory board of Waikato Management School at the University of Waikato, and advises the board of RCP, a New Zealand-owned international consultancy firm.

Hon. Scott Morrison served as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia from 2018 to 2022. He is currently the non-executive Vice Chairman of geo-political firm American Global Strategies, non-executive Chairman of Space Centre Australia, and Principal of Triginta Advisory. He also serves on several global advisory boards, including the International Democracy Union and the Hudson Institute China Center.

As Prime Minister, Mr. Morrison was the architect of the AUKUS trilateral defence agreement and a founding member of the Quad leaders' dialogue with India, Japan and the United States. He spearheaded numerous diplomatic, trade and defence agreements, including the first post-Brexit free trade deal with the UK, a reciprocal defence forces pact with Japan, and a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN.

Domestically, he steered the Australian economy to its lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years, returned the federal budget to a surplus after the Covid-19 pandemic, and ensured Australia retained its AAA credit rating, outperforming almost all other OECD economies.

Previously, Mr. Morrison served three years as Federal Treasurer (2015-2018), and was Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, implementing Australia’s highly successful Operation Sovereign Borders policy.

He has received several prestigious international awards, including Chief Commander of the United States Legion of Merit, the Jerusalem Prize, and the inaugural Grotius Prize for International Relations.