Climate Careers: Discover jobs for the future
Description
Curious about turning your passion for climate action into a career? Join us for an inspiring afternoon of talks, discussion, and networking with local professionals working in science, conservation, law, community development, and climate action.
Hear from experts making a real difference in Nelson Tasman, learn about emerging career opportunities, and get practical advice on the skills and pathways needed for the future workforce. Stay on afterwards to connect with speakers, employers, and other young people interested in creating positive change. Free to attend. Refreshments provided, plus networking opportunities, mentoring conversations.
Ideal for high school students, school leavers, tertiary students, and young adults aged 16-25 interested in climate, sustainability, and the future of work.
This event is part of the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum's annual Climate Action Festival, check out all other events on our website - https://www.nelsontasmanclimateforum.nz/2026-climate-action-festival/
Lineup
Matt Pemberton, Department of Conservation Lawyer
Matt studied Law and Zoology, graduating in 2008. After working in big corporate law firms in NZ and Australia in 2016 I joined the Ministry for the Environment and was the lead lawyer working on the Zero Carbon Act. Matt joined DOC in 2019 because I wanted to make an impact by advocating for conservation values in resource management matters. Sometimes that means dealing with climate change issues. One particularly interesting recent case involved a proposed gold mine, where the applicant sought to divert a river to access minerals before reinstating it once mining activities were complete.
Kelli Campbell, Funding and Data Coordinator at Nelson Environment Centre
Kelli is the Funding & Data Coordinator at Nelson Environment Centre, where she works across grant writing, impact reporting and community storytelling for the organisation's food rescue and waste minimisation programmes. She fell into the not-for-profit sector after her first job out of University left her values feeling completely at odds with the work. Since then she's spent over ten years working across not-for-profits in Aotearoa and overseas, and now sits on the Board of Kōtuitui Community Development Agency, helping the for-purpose sector in Te Tauihu thrive.
Meila Picard, PHD Student in Soil Science
Meila is a PhD student in Soil Science at Lincoln University in Canterbury. Her research investigates 'Enhanced Rock Weathering' which is a novel technique to capture carbon in soils using specific types of ground-up rocks. This research aims to understand the potential of this technology to capture carbon dioxide in New Zealand's pastoral agricultural systems. She is passionate about promoting the importance of healthy soils, which are one of our most important non-renewable resources and often a forgotten climate change hero.
Lisa Mcilwraith, General Practitioner
Lisa is a General Practitioner based in Tasman. She has have a background in Anthropology, Psychiatry and more recently have undertaken some study in Public Health. She has always been deeply passionate about the natural world and the ecological systems which we are a part of. Working in health, I see the impact the increasing degradation of our planet is having on our health. Climate change and overshoot of planetary boundaries are generally considered to be the greatest threat to human health. As a health professional we have duty of care to advocate for planetary health and how it relates to human health. I joined Ora Taiao in 2025 in order to combine forces with the largest group of health professionals fighting for planetary health. Joining a group like Ora Taiao has provided immense support, education and inspiration in challenging times.
Norman Ragg, Senior Scientist – Shellfish Physiology & Aquaculture
Dr Norman Ragg is a marine biologist working at Nelson’s Cawthron Institute. Norman has dedicated his career to the development of environmentally-sustainable aquaculture systems, focusing on those that produce valuable shellfish, like mussels, oysters and pāua. As Aotearoa-New Zealand’s underwater environment is now changing rapidly, Norman and his team have shifted their research focus towards building ‘climate-proofing’ into aquaculture crops, adjusting breeding and farming practices to increase resilience in marine animals. Today, Norman will share some ideas around ways to become involved with this dynamic, climate-friendly industry.
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