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Courtney Reid
Co-Host. Steering Committee Member, Generate NetworkCourtney is a Mind, Body and Soul Coach from Christchurch. Her background in study of Ecology and Psychology led her down two paths, one in Community Partnerships Environmental Restoration and the other coaching and mentoring people to live aligned and fulfilled lives. She has past experience in local government support, community partnerships and in Parks & Recreation Planning, running events and retreats, as a podcast host and is working on her first book. Courtney has a passion for people knowing who they are so they can work towards a job, life and a self they truly enjoy. Her approach to coaching young or new professionals in the sector is to realise that they are the value and learning how to leverage this while taking the steps required of them to make it happen.
Chris Foggin
Co-Host. Road Safety Advisor, Central Otago District CouncilA former police officer with 30 years of service in the UK & NZ, then time with Manawatū District Council as Recreation Manager, and beyond that an extensive career in all corners of the cycling industry, including 10 years as Education Manager for Cycling New Zealand and General Manager at Cycling Southland. More recently I've had several roles in cycle tourism in Central Otago.
I'm passionate about quality cycle education and a national tutor trainer with the NZTA BikeReady programme. And currently the Road Safety Advisor for Central Otago District Council.
Jana Davis
Chief Executive, Te Tapu o TāneBorn and raised in the Whakatipu-wai-māori basin, Jana has whakapapa within the Murihiku takiwā and affiliates to Te Rūnaka o Ōraka-Aparima. His global career has enriched his perspective, fuelling his passion for creating meaningful opportunities and inclusive organizations in the space of te taiao. Committed to building towards climate resilience and clean waterways, Jana plays a pivotal role in Te Tapu o Tāne, providing end-to-end large-scale regeneration and land management. Jana believes in connecting communities to open spaces and honouring Mana Whenua values.
Carly Getson
Aquatics Manager at Central Otago District CouncilCarly Getson – Central Otago District Council Aquatics Manager
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Carly has dedicated nearly 20 years to the Aquatics/ Recreation industry. Her experience spans from large leisure centres to pools in outback Australia to a waterfront in America, and working at QLDC Aquatics in Queenstown and Wanaka. Carly has worked in Snow sports in Cananda and New Zealand. These experiences overseas have not only broadened Carly’s professional horizon’s but also deepened her passion for recreational sports. Whether it’s on the snowy slopes or in the swimming pool.
Carly’s passion for swimming and recreation is evident in her academic achievements, which include a Diploma of Sport and Recreation and a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management. Her diverse roles at the pool, from lifeguarding and swim teaching/coaching to customer service and now managing aquatics, demonstrate the potential for a fulfilling career in Aquatics.
Recently returning to work after becoming a mother, Carly is now navigating the balance between her professional and mum life!
Jenny Jordan
Community Recreation Programme Manager, Recreation AotearoaJenny has worked in the recreation industry for over twenty years. Over that time, she has been a community recreation programme leader, outdoor instructor, tour guide, tertiary educator, board member, commercial, PTE, not-for-profit and local government employee and a private consultant. She also visited every continent, had a baby and obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA).
In her role, Jenny aims to support the sector to provide great recreation experiences for our communities and individuals wellbeing. She is kaitiaki for the annual Recreation Conference, Kia Rite Hoea programme, managing the Accredited Recreation Professional process, the Tuakana Teina mentorship programme and developing other initiatives to help support the industry.
Jenny is passionate about community, diversity, learning, adventure, recreation and her daughter.
Tarsy Koentges
Cemeteries Planner, Queenstown Lakes District CouncilTarsy Koentges, Parks Officer for Cemeteries and Heritage, has worked with the Queenstown Lakes District communities as part of Council since 2021. Drawing from cross-disciplinary studies in archaeology, museum studies, heritage preservation, cultural policy development, and strategic planning from her time at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver and University College Dublin, she is now working towards improved conservation and celebration of the unique heritage of the Whakatipu and Upper Clutha regions. Prior to joining QLDC, Ms. Koentges worked with the Department of Conservation here in New Zealand, the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, Washington, and at The Heritage Council in Ireland providing coordination and support for a variety of projects, the most notable being Ireland’s National Heritage Week.
Sarah Murray
Chief Executive, Recreation Aotearoaarah is Recreation Aotearoa’s Kaiwhakahaere Matua Chief Executive. Her role is to lead Recreation Aotearoa towards Te Pae Tawhiti and their mission Te Whai Oranga – enhancing wellbeing for all New Zealanders through recreation. Before this, Sarah worked for central and local government in roles that saw her working across parks and open spaces, outdoors, community recreation, sport and play. She has held a number of sector governance roles including as a founding trustee of the Shift Foundation and board member of Recreation Aotearoa and WORD Youth Adventures. She is also a long-standing committee member for Revolve, a (mostly) non-competitive cycling club focused on getting more women on bikes. A keen swimmer, cyclist, kayaker and tramper, in her spare time she loves getting active and connecting with Aotearoa’s natural environments.
Bishop Ngobeli
Manager, Johannesburg City ParksMr Bishop Ngobeli is a Senior Manager at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (City of Johannesburg) and sits on the World Urban Park as a Board Member. He is the World Urban Parks Regional Committee Chairperson in Africa. He serves at various councils in South Africa, National Forestry Advisory Council, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions and Association of Parks and Recreation Africa. His goal is to advocate for parks for all and greening of Africa.
The South African Presidential 10 Million Tree Planting Program had an influence in bridging the Green Divide. How can we use tree planting to unite various countries in Africa and the World. How we have used various tree planting program to communicate the importance. The program such as “She Evolves 1000 Stories, 100,000 Trees" is a tree planting initiative that connects the stories and lived experiences of African women into the very fabric of transformative change. The Garden of Remembrance commemoration of those who were in the frontline during COVID-19 by developing Gardens and planting of trees.
Dr Damien Puddle
Play Advocate, Invercargill City CouncilDamien (a.k.a. Dr Play) has taken his passion for jumping around and exploring cities into a unique career path. He has New Zealand’s first ever PhD in parkour and was the first Play Advocate funded by Sport NZ to bring support to councils. His role is to help Invercargill City Council and the community understand the importance of play and how it can be embedded across all departments to make the city more engaging and fun for everyone, but especially young people. Damien is married, has three daughters, a big friendly dog, and in his spare time continues to volunteer as a parkour couch and CEO of Parkour NZ - Tauhōkai Aotearoa.
Mike Rewi
Chief Executive Officer, Mana Tāhuna Charitable TrustQueenstown-raised Michael Rewi was forging a career in Auckland as a young Māori leader within Air New Zealand before the calling of home saw him return south. Mike is now the Chief Executive Officer of Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust - a kaupapa Māori organisation committed to positive social, cultural and environmental development for our community. Mana Tāhuna provide services for landowners, central and local governments, and the community to rehabilitate the whenua with a Te Ao Māori approach. Mike has a long list of projects to be proud of but one has put him and the Trust on the map is of course the Lake Hayes restoration project. Let Mike tell you all about it himself, when we go on a special field trip to one of Queenstown’s favourite reserves next to Lake Hayes itself.
Mark Roberts
Director, Roberts ConsultingMark Roberts is a qualified arborist with over 30 years of experience. He has worked in all facets of the arboriculture industry, from dragging brush through the streets of London to being the President of the International Society of Arboriculture. He is a consulting arborist based in Dunedin and has been on the international speaking circuit for the past ten years. He presents with a relaxed and approachable style and offers an almost comical approach to many of the talks that he gives.
David Scoones
General Manager Community Experience, Central Otago District CouncilMeet David. Born in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) and raised between Dunedin and Arrowtown. David didn’t follow a traditional career pathway. The start of his career was spent in marketing for various businesses around the world and by age 26 he had worked his way up the ranks and become a young executive. His specialty? Among, many, he has a clear strength to lead a team to success. Let David tell you about the importance of teamwork, cultural development and mindset development in the corporate world.
Bailley Unahi
Athlete, Snow Sports NZBailley Unahi's life took a sudden turn at the age of 19 when a balcony collapsed severing her spinal cord, in Dunedin in 2016. Her new reality began as she navigated life in her early twenties as a wheelchair user, leading her down a different path than what she had envisioned. Transitioning her career from studying science to now a graduate in occupational therapy, she is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others across Central Otago.
The trajectory has led her to discover the freedom of the outdoors and the maunga, both in New Zealand and globally through the sport of sit-skiing. As she pursues her dream of representing New Zealand at the Winter Paralympics. Join Bailley to hear her journey of adaptation, embracing change, and shifting perspectives on life to live it to the fullest.
Brittany White
Aspiring Director, Recreation AotearoaFrom an early age, Brittany recognised the role that physical activity and the environment play in enhancing wellbeing and quality of life - this is a significant driver for her. Brittany is Chair of Generate NZ and the Aspiring Director on the Recreation Aotearoa Board after joining the Generate NZ Steering Committee at the end of 2020. She has recently started as General Manager at Tennis Northland, a non-profit regional sporting organisation that fosters and promotes the game of tennis in the Northland region.