Thank you to the 450+ attendees who joined us in Queenstown in September 2025!
The 2025 theme of Navigating the Peaks: Seizing the Cycle explored how the property sector can strategically adapt to market cycles, capitalise on opportunities, and mitigate risks in an ever-evolving landscape.
Many attendees arrived a day early to take advantage of our pre-conference site tours and activities. From exclusive tours of Queenstown’s most exciting projects to golf, wine tours and foodie adventures – there was something for everyone!
Kick off The Property Conference 2025 in style at our welcome function hosted at Kingpin Queenstown. Join us for an evening of networking, games, and good vibes in a fun, relaxed setting. Dress code is smart casual – think polished, not stuffy. Let the conversations (and friendly competition) begin!
Proudly sponsored by
Wendy Petrie
Master of Ceremonies
Leonie Freeman
Chief Executive Officer, Property Council New Zealand
Dr Paul G Buchanan
Geopolitical Commentator
Denise Lee
Advocacy Consultant, Property Council New Zealand
Meaning refreshment, snack, smoko, morning tea.
Cameron Bagrie
Independent Economist, Bagrie Economics
Hon Chris Bishop
Minister for Housing
Carrie Hurihanganui
Chief Executive Officer, Auckland Airport
Meaning to have lunch.
Alistair Cattanach
Director, Dunning Thornton
Jenna Adamson
CEO, Rod Drury Family Office, Director, Lawyer
Dr Kate Meyer
Founder and CEO, The Planetary Accounting Network
Meaning refreshment, snack, smoko, afternoon tea.
Facilitated by Leonie Freeman, Chief Executive, Property Council New Zealand
Ailsa Leach
Head of Infra Connectivity & Co-Location, Chorus NZ
James Spence
Chief Executive Officer, Goodman Property
Frances Valintine
Futurist
Rug up and raise a glass! Join us for a night of alpine indulgence at Ayrburn, where the fire is crackling, the drinks are flowing, and the dress code is ski-lodge chic. Think faux fur, cozy knits, vintage goggles and après-ski flair – it’s all about warmth with a touch of glam. Let’s toast to winter in style!
Proudly sponsored by
Daniel Bull
Adventurer
Sarah Ballantyne
Project Director, NZICC
Simon Jamieson
Group General Manager NZICC, SkyCity Entertainment Group
Meaning refreshment, snack, smoko, morning tea.
Facilitated by Ross Copland, Southern Infrastructure
Edward Guy
Managing Director, Rationale
Mat Woods
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive, Destination Queenstown & Lake Wānaka Tourism
Nicola Tristram
Senior Development Manager, Kingston Village
Carl Davidson
Social Scientist
Rt Hon Sir Bill English
Former New Zealand Prime Minister
Leonie Freeman
Chief Executive, Property Council New Zealand
Ailsa is a strategic leader with over 25 years global experience spanning telecommunications, technology, education, and insurance.
At Chorus NZ, she leads the Infra Connectivity & Co-Location portfolio, driving innovation across New Zealand’s largest open-access fibre network. Ailsa is passionate about enabling organisations to unlock their full potential through scalable, future-ready connectivity solutions. Her work bridges business and technology, delivering customer-first outcomes that power progress and sustainability.
With Chorus’ extensive fibre infrastructure and data centre reach, Ailsa helps position New Zealand at the forefront of digital transformation.
As digital demand skyrockets, data centres are fast becoming critical infrastructure—but is New Zealand keeping pace? This session explores the current state of the local data centre market and the barriers standing in the way of growth, from infrastructure and energy constraints to our geographic isolation.
James Spence, CEO of Goodman Property, will share insights into Goodman’s growing focus on data centres both in New Zealand and abroad. He’ll be joined by Ailsa Leach, Head of Infrastructure Connectivity & Colocation from Chorus NZ, who will unpack the critical role of connectivity—highlighting how to achieve optimal data centre performance and scalability at sharp price points through strategic fibre and infrastructure planning.
Minister of Housing, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for RMA Reform
Chris Bishop is the Minister of Housing, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Leader of the House, and Associate Minister of Finance. He is the MP for Hutt South.
Chris was born and raised in Lower Hutt where he lives with his wife and young son. He has a first-class Honours degree in Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington, and was the 2006 Young Wellingtonian of the Year.
Before serving as an MP, Chris worked as a researcher for the National Party in Opposition and was later an advisor to Ministers in the John Key-led Government.
Chris was the National Party Campaign Chair for the 2023 General Election.
Join Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Housing as he provides a government update.
Bringing a fresh perspective and strong political nous in both central and local government, Denise is well-known as the former New Zealand Member of Parliament (MP) for the Maungakiekie electorate and a former Auckland Councillor for Maungakiekie-Tāmaki.
Denise holds a BA in Political Studies and History and a MA in Public Policy, with specific skills in engagement and a natural ability to build rapport with an extensive network of stakeholders. Personable and warm, Denise’s exceptional strategic planning, communication and management skills are highly valued by both the Property Council team and its members.
In this quickfire 10-minute session, Denise will provide members with a snapshot of Property Council’s current workstreams, what’s on the horizon and how you can get involved to help champion the property industry.
Director
Dunning Thornton
Alistair Cattanach is a Director of Dunning Thornton – structural engineers based in Wellington – with over 30 years’ experience in the industry here and in the UK. Alistair believes strongly in the integration of Architecture and Structure and has contributed to a number of significant award-winning buildings, especially in mass timber. He has a passion for heritage buildings, especially brick masonry, and is currently assisting with the update to the assessment guidelines for this material.
Alistair has made significant contribution to seismic innovation in NZ, designing a number of Low-Damage Seismic Designs in post-tensioned rocking concrete, rocking timber, different forms of removable/replaceable structural fuses, and has overseen four base-isolated buildings. Alistair contributed to writing NZ’s draft Base-Isolation Guidelines.
Alistair’s industry roles include being on MBIE’s Joint Committee for reviewing the Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings, and he has provided input to the current Earthquake Prone Buildings review. Alistair is a Fellow of both Engineering NZ and The NZ Society of Earthquake Engineers.
The seismic landscape in Aotearoa is evolving, and property owners and developers need to stay ahead of the curve. In this essential session, structural engineer Alistair Cattanach unpacks the latest updates in seismic legislation and technical guidance and what they mean for the built environment. Alistair will provide updates regarding the current and future drafts of the TS1170.5 seismic loadings and the increasing seismic hazard levels being proposed—explaining where things are heading with the coming updates and how these changes could significantly impact project costs, design choices, and asset planning. He’ll also break down updates to the earthquake-prone buildings legislation (<34%NBS) and seismic assessment guidelines, giving practical insight into compliance challenges and opportunities. With a review of seismic policy changes currently underway, this session is a must-attend for anyone owning, managing, or developing property in New Zealand. Get clarity on what’s coming—and how to prepare before the ground shifts beneath you.
Nicola Tristram is Senior Development Manager at Kingston Village Ltd, where she oversees the delivery of one of the largest greenfield residential developments currently underway in the Queenstown Lakes District. Her role includes navigating complex planning frameworks, building strong stakeholder relationships, and collaborating closely with local government to coordinate infrastructure delivery that supports the staged development of hundreds of new residential sections. The project is a key contributor to increasing the supply of affordable, well-designed housing in the region.
Nicola joined Kingston Village last year and brings around 15 years of property development experience across Australia and New Zealand.
Queenstown is booming once again – but with growth comes pressure. In this dynamic panel discussion, Queenstown-based leaders tackle the key challenges facing the region as it navigates post-COVID recovery and plans for a sustainable future. Panellists will dive into hot-button issues including infrastructure strain, housing affordability, greenfield development constraints, and how to manage growth without compromising the town’s unique character. With tourism rebounding, the panel will also explore how the sector is evolving – and what it means to pursue a carbon-zero tourism target by 2030 in a high-demand destination.
Dr. Paul G. Buchanan is Director of 36th Parallel Assessments, a geopolitical and strategic intelligence consultancy. He holds an M.A. from Georgetown and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, with fellowships from Fulbright, the Council on Foreign Relations, and others. An expert in international relations, foreign policy, and intelligence operations, his work spans regime dynamics, unconventional warfare, and strategic thought.
Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Dr. Buchanan alternated between academia and U.S. government service, holding a Top Secret clearance and briefing senior officials. He served as a regional policy analyst at the Pentagon and has consulted for the State Department, CIA, Department of Defense, and NZDF.
He has taught at leading universities across the U.S., New Zealand, Asia, and Latin America. The author of three books and over 60 scholarly works, he is also a frequent media commentator on global affairs.
The world is in flux—and understanding the shifting geopolitical landscape is more critical than ever. In this timely session, international affairs expert Dr Paul Buchanan unpacks the key global issues shaping the future.
From the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and China’s global ambitions to the volatile Middle East and the evolving dynamics of global trade and supply chains, Paul will provide sharp insights into the forces redefining international stability. He’ll also examine the aftermath of the U.S. elections and what the resulting policy direction means for global alliances, security, and diplomacy.
This session will also touch on climate diplomacy, Brexit’s lingering effects, and what all of this means for New Zealand’s place in the world.
Expect a fast-paced, insightful look at geopolitics from someone who’s spent a career analysing its complexities.
Formerly the Chief Economist as ANZ, Cameron has many hats. They include Bagrie Economics a straight shooting economic consultancy, Chaperon – helping business navigate banking, Bagrie Property, Equity Release NZ and a number of directorships covering NZ Apple and Pear, Transporting NZ and Life Education NZ. This gives him a broader perspective beyond the economic side of the ledger. Outside of work he’s active on the water and giving back.
As the economy shifts gears post-recession, what lies ahead for New Zealand, Australia, and beyond? In this insightful session, leading economist Cameron Bagrie provides a clear-eyed overview of the global and Australasian economic recovery—and what it means for the property sector.
Cameron will unpack the recession’s impact across key industries, highlight the signs of recovery (and where caution is still needed), and offer predictions for the next 6–12 months based on critical economic indicators.
With a sharp focus on the property market, he’ll explore how current conditions are influencing prices, investor behaviour, and demand—plus what trends are emerging as we navigate inflation, interest rates, and population growth.
Frances Valintine CNZM is a passionate educator and technologist who is dedicated to preparing organisations and individuals for the future of work. For over 25 years, she has been dedicated to shifting education and business practice to develop the capabilities, knowledge and mindset needed to respond to the rapidly changing and technologically advancing world.
A Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her lifetime contribution to education and technology. In 2022, Frances was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs and in 202,0 Frances received the lifetime award for her Outstanding Contribution to Technology and Business at the CIO Awards.
Frances has received the NZ Flying Kiwi Award and was inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame, she has been named one of the top 50 EdTech Educators in the World and the Best Start-Up Leader in Asia Pacific as judged by Steve Wozniak and Sir Richard Branson.
Driven by a strong sense of purpose to support positive growth for Aotearoa, Frances is a selection adviser to EHF (Edmund Hillary Foundation) and the National Expert for the global World Summit Awards. Frances is also a mentor to a number of global female technology leaders, and a Director of On Being Bold, supporting female leaders. Frances is also on the Board of Trustees for the University of Silicon Valley.
Frances is the author of Future You, a book dedicated to shifting perceptions about learning as an adult and promoting the need to stay connected, relevant and informed throughout our life.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it’s here, and it’s transforming industries, including property. In this forward-thinking session, futurist and tech education leader Frances Valintine explores how AI is reshaping the way we design, develop, manage, and interact with property.
From predictive analytics and smart buildings to automated valuation models and tenant experience platforms, Frances will demystify the opportunities AI presents—along with the ethical considerations, data challenges, and risks we need to navigate.
She’ll also explore how property professionals can upskill, innovate, and future-proof their strategies in an AI-driven world, offering practical insights for leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.
With over 15 years’ experience as a property lawyer, Jenna has shaped major developments across Australia and New Zealand. Her expertise spans commercial and residential property, infrastructure, leasing, and large-scale transactions.
Now CEO of one of Australasia’s largest private family offices, she oversees a diverse investment portfolio across property, infrastructure, tech, venture capital, and philanthropy—leading purpose-driven projects in energy, healthcare, defence, and beyond.
A former Partner and AI Lead at law firm Wynn Williams, Jenna specialised in property and commercial law, including sales, acquisitions, and digital transformation. She has also held senior legal roles at top Australian firms and served as Counsel for L’Oréal ANZ.
Known for her strategic thinking and future focus, Jenna is passionate about long-term value creation and building resilient industries across the region.
Queenstown is no longer just the adventure capital—it’s becoming New Zealand’s testing ground for sustainable infrastructure and visionary property development. Jenna Adamson, CEO of Rod Drury’s Family Office, is at the forefront of the region’s transformation – in this fast-paced session, she’ll unpack the landmark projects reshaping Queenstown’s built environment—from the transformational MRT gondola networks proposed by Dopplemayr and Whoosh, the electrification of Queenstown, to a state-of-the-art sports performance, rehab and healthcare centre – The Mill, NZ’s largest commercially funded native reforestation project featuring mountain homes led by Treespace – Mt Dewar, Winton’s international development Ayrburn where heritage meets modern luxury, Queenstown Central’s newest food precinct Pavilion Bar & Restaurants and other new projects yet to be announced.
With projects that are privately-led and often developed in close collaboration with local and central government, Queenstown is emerging as a model for place-based innovation and long-term growth. Whether it’s infrastructure, lifestyle precincts, or regional transformation, Queenstown is rewriting the rulebook—and this is your front-row seat.
Kate Meyer is a sustainability scientist, engineer, and author who is reshaping how we use environmental data in decision-making. Kate developed Planetary Accounting — an internationally recognised, peer-reviewed framework that translates global environmental limits called the Planetary Boundaries into actionable and easy to understand metrics for use in policy, business, and design. Like Xero meets Google Translate for environmental stewardship
Kate is the Founder and CEO of the Planetary Accounting Network, a charitable trust helping organisations and communities align with the planet’s boundaries, and of Planetary Insights, a tech company making science-based sustainability tools accessible at scale.
Her career includes leading award-winning sustainable developments across New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore, and holding senior roles such as Sustainability Director at Beca. She brings deep expertise and a systems-thinking approach to the complex challenges of sustainable development, working with senior leaders across sectors and geographies.
Kate’s work has been recognised on platforms including TEDx, the Deloitte Top200 Awards, and Auckland University’s 40Under40, and continues to inform cutting-edge sustainability practice in the built environment and beyond.
Dr Kate Meyer invites you to go beyond the carbon conversation and dive into the full spectrum of environmental impacts our buildings have on the planet. Using Planetary Accounting, this session explores how to assess and compare the embodied impacts of buildings—across carbon, water, biodiversity, land use, and waste—against one another and against the Earth’s ecological limits. Think of it as a cheat sheet for sustainable design, backed by science. Kate will demonstrate how Planetary Facts allows for side-by-side comparisons of design options—whether you’re weighing up timber versus concrete or tweaking your material choices—making sustainability trade-offs visible and accessible to all stakeholders, not just the technical crowd. This session is for anyone ready to design not just for compliance, but for the future of the planet.
Carrie Hurihanganui is Chief Executive of one of New Zealand’s most strategic infrastructure assets and the nation’s primary gateway, Auckland Airport.
AKL is a vital enabler of the economic and social fabric of New Zealand, hosting over 18 million travellers, 150,000 aircraft movements and $26 billion of trade annually. Carrie is currently leading the transformation of the airport across 400,000sqm of airfield infrastructure, integrated terminals and transportation – making it one of New Zealand’s largest private infrastructure builds.
With 25 years of leadership and operational experience in the aviation industry, Carrie previously held senior roles at Air New Zealand, including Chief Operating Officer, leading customer experience transformation, maximising business growth and building high performing teams across 16 countries.
Carrie is passionate about building a better future grounded in sustainable purpose, performance and people. She is a graduate of Massey University Business School and has completed advanced programmes at INSEAD and Harvard.
Join us for a compelling conversation with Carrie Hurihanganui, CEO of Auckland Airport. From her early days in aviation to leading one of the country’s most significant infrastructure assets, Carrie reflects on the pivotal decisions that shaped her career and the lessons learned along the way.
This session will explore how today’s leaders can foster resilience – not just within their business models, but in their people. Carrie will share initiatives Auckland Airport has implemented to navigate the current landscape and position the organisation for future success.
With her unique perspective, Carrie will also unpack key challenges and opportunities for the property sector, both immediate and long-term, while tackling big topics such as diversity in leadership, sustainable growth, and leading through crises. From navigating turbulence to balancing commercial goals with ESG priorities, Carrie offers practical insights and personal reflections relevant to all corners of the property industry.
Expect an honest, insightful, and inspiring kōrero with one of New Zealand’s top CEOs.
This session will be facilitated by Leonie Freeman, Chief Executive of Property Council New Zealand.
James is Chief Executive Officer of Goodman Property Services (NZ) Limited, the manager of GMT. With a logistics and warehousing portfolio valued at $4.7 billion and a market capitalisation of around $2.9 billion (31 March 2025) the Trust is the NZX’s largest listed property entity. James joined Goodman in 2006 and has around 20 years of corporate, property and funds management experience in Europe and New Zealand.
As digital demand skyrockets, data centres are fast becoming critical infrastructure—but is New Zealand keeping pace? This session explores the current state of the local data centre market and the barriers standing in the way of growth, from infrastructure and energy constraints to our geographic isolation.
James Spence, CEO of Goodman Property, will share insights into Goodman’s growing focus on data centres both in New Zealand and abroad. He’ll be joined by Ailsa Leach, Head of Infrastructure Connectivity & Colocation from Chorus NZ, who will unpack the critical role of connectivity—highlighting how to achieve optimal data centre performance and scalability at sharp price points through strategic fibre and infrastructure planning.
Daniel Bull is a 3x Guinness World Record-breaking adventurer, 1% for the Planet Advocate and award-winning keynote speaker who triggers a lasting impact. He delivers practical takeaways learnt from over two decades of not just surviving but thriving in the harshest environments on Earth and brings the rare combination of having also worked in the corporate world to fund his ambitions.
Daniel completed an unguided ascent of Mount Everest in his 20s and has since made numerous first ascents up unclimbed peaks in unchartered locations such as northern Greenland and Antarctica, has tackled some of the world’s most dangerous mountains, such as the infamous North Face of the Eiger (nicknamed ‘Murder Wall’), and become the youngest person on the planet to climb the highest summits on every continent.
World-record-breaking adventurer Daniel Bull has spent his life pushing beyond limits, from scaling the highest peaks to surviving in the planet’s most extreme environments. In this inspiring session, he shares powerful insights into resilience, calculated risk-taking, and navigating uncertainty—essential skills for leaders facing ever-changing landscapes. Just as mountaineers adapt to shifting conditions, professionals must embrace challenges and seize opportunities within economic and business cycles. Be inspired to think bigger, push boundaries, and conquer new heights in your journey to success!
With more than 20 years’ experience in large scale, transformational construction projects, Sarah leads and directs all aspects of the New Zealand International Convention Centre and Horizon Hotel projects on behalf of SkyCity in Auckland. Joining the project in 2014, Sarah is a hands-on leader that has demonstrated innovative approaches, problem-solving and resilience in a complex and challenging project.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) stands as one of the country’s most complex and high-profile developments. In this exclusive case study session, Sarah Ballantyne, Project Director, and Simon Jamieson, Group General Manager NZICC take us behind the scenes of this landmark project.
They’ll unpack the scale and vision behind the NZICC, the strategic role it will play in attracting global events to Auckland, and the opportunities it unlocks for the city and wider economy. The session will delve into the challenges faced along the way and how the team navigated these with resilience and innovation.
You’ll also gain insight into the project’s unique design features, sustainability initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and lessons learned.
Simon oversees the development of SkyCity’s New Zealand International Convention Centre and Horizon Hotel project in Auckland. He also oversees SkyCity’s health and safety function and SkyCity’s development projects in New Zealand. With more than 35 years’ experience in large-scale hospitality businesses, Simon brings a wealth of commercial, property project and tourism experience to the SkyCity business. Simon has governance experience on industry boards and Local Government owned entities and trusts.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) stands as one of the country’s most complex and high-profile developments. In this exclusive case study session, Sarah Ballantyne, Project Director, and Simon Jamieson, Group General Manager NZICC take us behind the scenes of this landmark project.
They’ll unpack the scale and vision behind the NZICC, the strategic role it will play in attracting global events to Auckland, and the opportunities it unlocks for the city and wider economy. The session will delve into the challenges faced along the way and how the team navigated these with resilience and innovation.
You’ll also gain insight into the project’s unique design features, sustainability initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and lessons learned.
Carl is a Fellow of the Research Association of New Zealand and a Global Insight250 Winner. Carl has worked in the insights industry for over 30 years and is currently the Head of Insights at The Curiosity Company. He is the author or editor of ten books about research and evidence, writes a regular insights column for NZ Marketing Magazine, and moonlights as a Senior Adjunct Fellow in the University of Canterbury’s Business School.
New Zealand’s population is changing rapidly. These demographic shifts will reshape the country and demand that we rethink our markets. This presentation will talk about just how quickly New Zealand’s population is ageing, the profound impact hat migration is having, and the sociodemographic trends reshaping households and housing needs. Carl will explore the social and economic impacts of this transformation, highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities for cities, services, and national planning. How can we rethink infrastructure, policy, and support systems to not just accommodate but empower an ageing population?
Bill sits on the board of Wesfarmers Ltd, Todd Corporation and the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
He is a director and investor with his family in private companies serving primary production, charities and disabled people. He consults to NZ and Australian companies and governments.
He is married to Dr Mary English who runs her own medical practice and they have 6 adult children.
Join us for an insightful and candid conversation with Rt Hon Sir Bill English as he reflects on his distinguished career in politics and public service, including his time as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
In this session, Sir Bill will share personal reflections on leadership—what it takes to lead through complexity, make tough decisions, and stay grounded in your values. He’ll offer lessons from the frontlines of government, insights into navigating change, managing risk, and fostering resilience in times of uncertainty.
Expect thoughtful commentary on the evolving role of leadership in New Zealand, how to build strong teams, and the power of purpose-led decision making—whether in politics, business, or community life.
Wendy Petrie is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and respected broadcasters. Best known as the former anchor of TVNZ’s flagship 1News at 6pm, Wendy spent 14 years delivering the country’s most-watched bulletin with professionalism, warmth, and credibility.
Today, Wendy brings that same calm authority and down-to-earth charm to her work as an MC, host, and journalist. Whether fronting live news, hosting Breakfast or Seven Sharp, or chairing resilience summits post-Covid, she is always well-prepared, engaging, and in control.
Wendy’s journalism career spans global events – from reporting at Ground Zero on 9/11, to covering the Royal Wedding in London and the centenary of Gallipoli. She also anchored live from Christchurch after the devastating earthquakes.
A proud South Aucklander and board member of the Field of Dreams Foundation, Wendy is passionate about youth and community. She’s also a mental wellness advocate, marathon runner, Sky Tower stair climber (in 25kg of firefighter gear!), and proud mum of three sporty kids.
With decades of experience, international credibility, and a true Kiwi heart, Wendy Petrie is a trusted voice who connects effortlessly with audiences – on screen and on stage.
A well-respected industry leader, Leonie has extensive experience in the New Zealand property industry, having held top positions in both the public and private sector. From creating the concept of what is now realestate.co.nz, to buying and transforming her own residential property management business, helping establish the new Auckland Council, and managing asset development for Housing New Zealand, there’s not many areas of property that Leonie has not touched.
In 2011, Leonie was appointed to the board of NZX listed company Goodman Property Trust, and up until her 2018 appointment as Property Council’s Chief Executive, she dedicated her time to leading an independent philanthropic initiative to solve Auckland’s housing crisis.
Leonie holds a Master of Commerce, majoring in valuation and property management and is a life member of the Property Institute of New Zealand, a chartered member of the Institute of Directors, and a member of Global Women. In 2017 she was awarded the Property Institute’s Supreme Property Award, and the Property Council Auckland Property People Judges Choice Award, and in 2020 she received the prestigious Bledisloe Medal from Lincoln University.
Mat is currently the Chief Executive at Destination Queenstown & Lake Wānaka Tourism (DQ). Prior to joining DQ, Mat was Head of Sales & Services at Cardrona Alpine Resort (CARL) and Treble Cone Ski area. He was involved in the acquisition of Treble Cone, securing the rights to develop into the SOHO Basin. Mat moved from CARL to join the parent company RealNZ as GM of Experience Whakatipu to oversee the Queenstown operation of the TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak, Jet Boating and Water Taxis.
Mat has a strong background in governance; He is currently a Director at Regional Tourism NZ and Racers Edge in Wānaka. Recently he was on the board of Snow Sports NZ and the Chair of Lake Wānaka Tourism.
Before joining the tourism industry, Mat had extensive experience in outdoor adventure sports retail, he was the managing director of R&R Sport before selling to The Warehouse Group, merging R&R Sport with Torpedo 7.
Queenstown is booming once again – but with growth comes pressure. In this dynamic panel discussion, Queenstown-based leaders tackle the key challenges facing the region as it navigates post-COVID recovery and plans for a sustainable future. Panellists will dive into hot-button issues including infrastructure strain, housing affordability, greenfield development constraints, and how to manage growth without compromising the town’s unique character. With tourism rebounding, the panel will also explore how the sector is evolving – and what it means to pursue a carbon-zero tourism target by 2030 in a high-demand destination.
Edward Guy is the founder and Managing Director of Rationale, an independent advisory that has been supporting infrastructure, investment decisions across New Zealand for over 25 years. With a background in engineering and experience in both the public and private sectors Edward brings deep expertise in infrastructure planning, investment management, and finance and funding.
Edward believes Queenstown is at a critical turning point, facing a “perfect storm” of under-investment, rising costs, and reform pressures. He sees this as a unique: opportunity to rethink how infrastructure is delivered advocating for regional: collaboration, alternative funding models, and private capital to unlock growth and affordability.
Based in the Whakatipu Basin, Edward splits his time between Arrowtown, Wellington, and Dunedin, bringing a mindset that “nothing is too hard” to every challenge he tackles.
Queenstown is booming once again—but with growth comes pressure. In this dynamic panel discussion, Queenstown-based leaders tackle the key challenges facing the region as it navigates post-COVID recovery and plans for a sustainable future. Panellists will dive into hot-button issues including infrastructure strain, housing affordability, greenfield development constraints, and how to manage growth without compromising the town’s unique character. With tourism rebounding, the panel will also explore how the sector is evolving—and what it means to pursue a carbon-zero tourism target by 2030 in a high-demand destination.
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