The event is sold out. **If you'd like to be added to the waitlist, email: events@energyEQ.nz**

The Taranaki Energy Futures Forum brings together leaders from industry, iwi, government, research, education, investment, and the wider community to build a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping our region's energy future.

Taranaki is entering one of the most significant periods of economic and industrial change in its history. Getting this transition right will take a unified conversation across every sector.

By sharing knowledge and aligning on common goals, we can build the partnerships and confidence needed to attract investment, accelerate innovation, and support good decision-making shaping this change, not just responding to it.

Together, we can position Taranaki as an early leader in New Zealand's energy economy - building innovation, resilience, and prosperity for generations to come.

Programme

Doors open from 7.30am

8.15am Mihi / Welcome Dr Will Edwards, Craig Williamson (Chair, Taranaki Regional Council)

8.30am: Session One: Taranaki - current state and future opportunities

Phil Nixon, Mayor, South Taranaki District Council - Taranaki's energy identity: where we are and what's at stake
Wharehoka Wano, Te Topuni Ngarahu - Iwi aspirations in energy and Taranaki
Anne Probert, Venture Taranaki - Taranaki: Open for business
Jason Franklin, CE, Powerco - Powerco's energy transition
Dean Eggers, Chair, Taranaki Alliance - Taranaki in five years - what will we be?
Speakers panel: How can we build a strong energy future for Taranaki? Facilitator: Arun Chaudhari, CE, Taranaki Chamber

10.15am Morning tea break

10.45am: Session Two: Investment and infrastructure - 1 (Investment)

Hayden MacKenzie, Invest NZ - Investment trends: Enabling the future energy opportunities for Taranaki
Kate Daugherty, Westpac Bank - Supporting renewable rollout: What makes projects bankable?
Ralph Chang, Motion Capital - Different parts and partners in the investment pipeline
Julie Jang, Contact Energy - Contact Energy and their renewable energy ambition
Bridget Sullivan, NZ Government - Government and Taranaki: How do we work together for success?
Speakers Panel: Facilitator, Jonathan Young

12.15pm Lunch break

1.00pm: Session Three: Investment and Infrastructure - 2 (Infrastructure)

Giacomo Caleffi - Taranaki Offshore Partners
Nick Jackson & Justine Gilliland - New Zealand Offshore Wind
Simon Craddock - CE, Port Taranaki - Critical Infrastructure for a strong future
Oliver Mills - A global perspective
Speakers Panel - Is it "addition" or "transition" - whats happening with NZ energy? Facilitator: Nick Cozens - BECA

Session Four: Environment, Planning, Government

Finbar Kiddle, Strategy Lead, Taranaki Regional Council - Taranaki energy precincts: Findings from the WSP precincts report
Dr Joshu Mountjoy, Earth Sciences New Zealand - Building generational opportunity: The regulatory, environmental and social framework
Sera Gibson, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki
Speakers Panel - Working together for optimum results. Facilitator: Dr Will Edwards

3.30pm: Afternoon tea

4.15pm: Session Five: Future Technologies

Amelia Renzios - Innovator spotlight: Kapuni Energy Precinct, with Todd, Ballance, Hiringa
Tom Wiseman & Ellie Hills - Innovator spotlight: Taranaki Instrument Services
Iain Hosie, Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre - Innovator spotlight: Bioenergy and innovation ecosystems
Daniel Gnoth - Innovator spotlight: Biogas feedstock analysis in Taranaki
Evelien Wallace - Innovator spotlight: Geoheat in Taranaki
Will Thorp, Elemental Group: Kākāriki Renewables: 600% Renewables

5.15pm - Conference close

Contact the host of Taranaki Energy Futures Forum