Taranaki Energy Futures Forum quarterly - December 2026
Description
The Taranaki Energy Futures Forum is back!
Join us on Friday, 4 December 2026, for our next quarterly Taranaki Energy Futures Forum (TEFF), featuring two engaging sessions exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping Taranaki’s energy future.
TEFF brings together leaders from industry, iwi, government, research, education, investment and the wider community to build a shared understanding of the issues, exchange knowledge and strengthen the connections needed to advance our region’s energy future.
Two sessions, one shared future
Breakfast Keynote | 8.00am-10.00am
Hear from Jesse Corlett of Iron Duke Partners, who will share insights to inform our thinking and spark discussion.
Quarterly Forum | 10.00am-12.00pm
Join us for a keynote presentation by Larry Blair, followed by a series of presentations exploring key developments, opportunities and challenges in the energy sector.
You’re welcome to register for both sessions or attend either the breakfast keynote or the quarterly forum individually.
Accessible and affordable
A registration fee applies to each session to help cover event costs. We’re committed to keeping our events affordable while delivering excellent value and providing opportunities to learn, connect and contribute to the conversation about Taranaki’s energy future.
Thank you to our sponsor
We extend our sincere thanks to the Wells Group for sponsoring this event. Their support helps make the forum possible, and we greatly appreciate their contribution to bringing our energy community together.
The overall theme is "Mapping the Road Ahead"
Taranaki is entering one of the most significant periods of economic and industrial change in its history. Navigating this transition successfully requires a shared conversation across sectors, bringing together the people, ideas and perspectives that will help shape our region’s future.
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
Together, we can position Taranaki as a leader in New Zealand’s new energy economy, building innovation, resilience, and prosperity for generations to come.
Co-hosted by EnergyEQ, Venture Taranaki, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and Hiringa Energy.
Programme
- 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Buffet Breakfast - Post Election Review: Through the Energy Lens with guest speaker Jesse Corlett - Iron Duke Partners, Wellington
Jesse Corlett is a Principal Consultant with Iron Duke Partners. He has over a decade of experience in policy and government relations spanning energy, infrastructure, climate, and national security. He previously worked in the public service (MBIE, DPMC, Treasury and EECA); executive government (the Office of the Minister of Energy and Resources); and the private sector (Energy Resources Aotearoa). Jesse holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington.
- 10:00 am
Quarterly Forum starts with morning tea
- 10:30 am
Energy: Our Biophysical Foundation for Life with guest speaker Larry Blair, founder of LBC Consultancy & Project Management.
Larry Blair is a project management and technical expertise across energy, infrastructure and marine projects. He also writes the New Zealand Energy newsletter on Substack, exploring New Zealand's energy system, energy security, electricity supply, fuel availability, and the technical and economic challenges of meeting the country's future energy needs. His session examines how energy underpins every aspect of modern life and the importance of understanding the systems that sustain our economy and society.
- 11:00 am
Innovator updates
- Matthew Jackson - Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Alimentary Systems - Iain Hosie - Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre - Tom Wiseman - Total Instrumentation Specialists - Evelien Wallace - Taranaki Collaboration with the EU on Hydrogen
- 11:40 am
Mapping the road ahead
- Jonathan Young - EnergyEQ - Wharehoka Wano - Te Tōpuni Ngārahu - Stacey Hitchcock - Venture Taranaki
- 12:00 pm
Forum concludes
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
