Youth Perspectives on Carbon Neutrality - with Minister of Transport Hon Michael Wood
Event description
The United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNA NZ) is proud to host a Climate Change event, focused on providing a platform for young people to discuss the goal of carbon neutrality in Aotearoa with industry, academic, and policy leaders. The goal of the event is to open a dialogue between young and engaged stakeholders of climate reform and a panel of notable speakers from academia, policy, and industry. UNA NZ appreciates that young people will inherit the burden of climate change, and consider it the defining issue of their generation. We are eager to provide them with a platform to begin a dialogue with key stakeholders in climate reform. Hon Michael Wood, Minister of Transport, will kick-off the event with a 10 minute keynote address. The Minister will have 5 minutes to answer questions (please submit these in advance as per the sign-up form). We are then proud to host our panel of key stakeholders in climate reform , which will include: Benjamin Priest, Meridian Energy, Electric Vehicle Product ManagerSophie Handford, Kapiti Councilor for Climate and YouthDr Alex Lo, Climate Change Research Centre, Victoria University of WellingtonRichard Briggs, Manager Transport Programme, Energy Efficiency and Conservation AuthorityWe are also delighted to be joined by Nkaya Paulsen-More (Te Mana Ākonga), Liam Davies (NZUSA), Jaistone Finau (Tauira Pasifika), and Grace Cowley (Generation Zero) as our youth representatives to drive the dialogue.
Hon. Michael Wood  | Michael was first elected to Parliament at the 2016 Mt Roskill by-election. In opposition he was Labour’s spokesperson for Transport, Revenue, and Consumer Affairs, and after the election he had roles as Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities and Chair of the Finance & Expenditure Select Committee, before coming into the Chief Labour Whip role in mid-2019. Following the 2020 General Election, Michael became a sworn Member of the Executive and was appointed by the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern as the Minister of Transport and Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety. He was also given the role of Deputy Leader of the House. Michael also continues a strong association with New Zealand’s vibrant and growing Ethnic Communities owing to his previous role and the highly diverse nature of the Mt Roskill electorate he represents. |
Dr Alex Lo  | Dr Alex Lo is Senior lecturer in Climate Change at Victoria University. He is an environmental social scientist studying climate change action, policy and finance. His recent work focuses on the role of carbon emission trading and carbon offsetting in decarbonization in China and the Asia Pacific region. Before coming to New Zealand, he was a lecturer and assistant professor in Australia and Hong Kong. He is a core member of the NZ Climate Change Research Institute and the programme director of the Masters of Climate Change Science and Policy, both in Victoria University. |
Councillor Sophie Handford  | Sophie Handford is a 20-year-old Councillor and activist from Kāpiti, New Zealand. Since the age of 12, Sophie has held the environment closely and always felt a strong connection to and need to protect this one planet we share. Sophie was service captain, student rep and Head Girl at various points throughout her secondary schooling at Kāpiti College. After graduating, she founded School Strike 4 Climate in Aotearoa NZ and went on to coordinate the movement which mobilised 170,000 people across the country in September. She is now the Paekakariki - Raumati Ward Councillor on the Kāpiti Coast District Council. |
Richard Briggs  | The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is a government agency whose purpose is to mobilise New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. Our strategic focus areas are based on influencing the energy decisions in the transport, business, and residential sectors. The Transport team takes a portfolio view of all investments into the Transport sector from SME’s to large commercial businesses. The Team provides relationship management and investment outcomes for transport related activities. The Transport team also administers on behalf of the Government, The Low Emission Transport Fund. Funding will reach up to $25 million per year for co-funding projects by 2023/24. The fund supports the |
demonstration of high potential and replicable solutions, and adoption of low emission transport technology, innovation and infrastructure to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the New Zealand transport sector. Prior to joining EECA, Richard had an extensive career in the telecommunications industry, holding positions at Director, CEO and General Manager level for local and multinational organisations. | |
Benjamin Priest  | As a 100% renewable energy generator Meridian is passionate about the positive impact that transport electrification can have on New Zealand. Ben works as part of the Meridian team playing their part to support this goal, from supporting kiwi businesses to transition to electric, whether it be land, sea or air, to investing in public charging infrastructure to make the choice easier for all. Having worked in the NZ energy sector for over 13 years, Ben is a passionate and leading expert in his field. His career has focused on the adoption and scaling of new technologies and the design and implementation of new business models. Also has a background in financial trading, operational management and meterology. |
Youth Representatives
Nkhaya Paulsen-More | National President at Te Mana Ākonga (National Māori Tertiary Students’ Association) |
Jaistone Finau | National President at Tauira Pasifika (National Pacific Tertiary Students’ Association) |
Tessa Guest | Student President at Massey at Wellington Students’ Association |
Liam Davies | National Vice President at New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations |