Food, Water and Biodiversity Nexus - Indigenous Knowledge & Nature-Based Solutions
Tracks
Food, Water and Biodiversity Nexus
| Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
| 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM |
| Auditorium 3&4 |
Speaker
Dr Shannon Davis
Senior Lecturer Landscape Planning
Lincoln University / Te Whare Wānaka O Aoraki
Te Kōrero Kāpehu – Whenua planning for Te Whakatōhea kai security
1:45 PM - 2:00 PMBiography
Dr Shannon Davis is a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Planning in the School of Landscape Architecture at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University. She leads the research theme ‘Future Foodscapes for Health’ within the Centre of Excellence: Designing Future Productive Landscapes, with a research focus on urban agriculture.
Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell is a Professor within Te Pua Wananga ki te Ao at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. He was born and raised in Ōpōtiki and belongs primarily to the Te Whakatōhea iwi. He is an expert in te reo and tikanga Māori, and whakapapa, and he is an exponent in whaikōrero, mōteatea, kapa haka and karakia.
Dr Richard Morris is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Centre of Excellence: Designing Future Productive Landscapes. His specialist area is in spatial agroecology and Nature-based Solutions to climate adaptation.
Mrs Hope Hata
Researcher
Te Whakatōhea
Te Kōrero Kāpehu – Whenua planning for Te Whakatōhea kai security
1:45 PM - 2:00 PMBiography
Prof Te Kahautu Maxwell
Professor
Te Whare Wananga o Waikato / University of Waikato
Te Kōrero Kāpehu – Whenua planning for Te Whakatōhea kai security
1:45 PM - 2:00 PMBiography
Dr Richard Morris
Postdoctoral fellow
Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University
Te Kōrero Kāpehu – Whenua planning for Te Whakatōhea kai security
1:45 PM - 2:00 PMBiography
Dr Nicholas Cradock-Henry
Principal Scientist
Earth Sciences New Zealand
Discussion
2:00 PM - 2:15 PMBiography
Miss Yi Bian
PhD Candidate
Griffith University
Ecological restoration as mahinga kai: policy pathways to avoiding maladaptation in regenerative tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand
2:15 PM - 2:30 PMBiography
Yi Bian is a PhD candidate in the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University (Australia). She holds a Master in Tourism from the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka the University of Otago (New Zealand). Her research interests focus on regenerative tourism, climate change and biodiversity.
Professor James Higham is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University (Australia), and Honorary Professor at the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka the University of Otago (New Zealand). His research addresses tourism and global environmental change.
Lisa Ellis is a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics programme at the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka the University of Otago (New Zealand). Her projects investigate how we can make environmental policy decisions that serve our interests in flourishing now and in the future.
Brendan Mackey is a Professor and Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon, Griffith University (Australia). He was a Coordinating Lead Author for the 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC 6th Assessment Report, Working Group II - impacts, vulnerability & adaptation.
Dr Belinda McFadgen
Senior Environmental Policy Consultant
The Catalyst Group
Under the hood: how taking a natural capital focused, ecosystem services approach can improve the implementation of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
2:30 PM - 2:45 PMBiography
Belinda has a background in environmental law, science, and policy. Her doctoral research focused on policy experimentation in climate adaptation, and she was a contributing scientist for the IPCC’s 2022 report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. She has a keen interest in integrating biodiversity and adaptation goals through nature-based solutions.
Ms Di Rossiter
Co-chair
Kawatiri Nature Environment & Communities Trust
Towards a localised food system in the Buller district: Mapping a pathway to a better way to feed ourselves in Aotearoa New Zealand
2:45 PM - 3:00 PMBiography
Di is a scientist and systems thinker who works across a range of projects including climate risk, waste, food systems, biodiversity loss, and RMA planning. In her role as Co-chair of a local trust, she delivers regenerative enterprises that improve the wellbeing of her local community and the natural world.
Angela is one of New Zealand’s Food System thought leaders and recognised by New Zealander of the Year Environmental Award, Federated Farmers Arable Food Champion and Cuisine Magazine. She leads Eat New Zealand, Aotearoa’s NFP food movement and co-owns a permaculture property, inspiring others to reconnect with where their food is from.
Niki is an expert in sustainability and waste recovery. With a PhD in Sustainability from the University of Otago (2013), Niki has ten years’ experience working with businesses and organisations, helping them understand what a low carbon economy, resilient community, localising food or zero waste means for them.
Dr Nicholas Cradock-Henry
Principal Scientist
Earth Sciences New Zealand
Facilitator
Biography