Keynote Speakers

Hon. Nicola Grigg
Minister for Women

She / Her

Nicola Grigg is the Minister of State for Trade, Minister for Women, and Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture). Nicola has been the MP for Selwyn since 2020.

Nicola was born and raised on the family sheep and beef farm in Mt Somers, and studied at the New Zealand Broadcasting School, graduating with a Degree in Broadcast Communications and Diplomas in Television and Radio News.

Nicola has worked as a reporter and newsreader and was a press secretary for Sir Bill English during his tenure as Minister of Finance, and Prime Minister. Following that, Nicola worked with a wide range of agri-businesses in export marketing and business development. 

Before becoming an MP, Nicola was a portfolio manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. She managed the business development of a wide range of Canterbury-based exporters – mostly in the agriculture, agritech and manufacturing sectors – supporting them to grow their business offshore.

Outside of work Nicola tries to spend as much time as possible outdoors and enjoys skiing, riding, running, and hiking. She is deeply passionate about promoting New Zealand’s agricultural sector and is a staunch advocate for farming businesses.

Prudence Walker
Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner

She / Her

Prior to joining Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission in June 2023, Prudence was Chief Executive of the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) New Zealand.  As a disabled and queer woman, she comes from a strong social justice perspective and is deeply committed to working to achieve equity for Tāngata Whaikaha Māori, disabled people and marginalised populations.  Prudence also has a keen interest in intersecting identities and is an experienced facilitator with a specific history of working with young people, disabled people, and people who are migrants.

Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll PhD, MPH (Distinction)
Associate Professor - Māori Health and Wellbeing

She / Her

Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu) is an Associate Professor in Māori Health & Wellbeing at the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. She has worked on a broad range of kaupapa in her research career to date, ranging from rongoā Māori, Māori community development, and environmental health to adoption and whāngai. In this kōrero Annabel will speak to her experiences of influencing leaders for the future through her teaching, activism, and research. 

Anne Jordan
Menopause Practitioner & Coach - Kaha Mna

She / Her

Meet Anne, a renowned Menopause Practitioner and Coach dedicated to empowering both women and organisations to navigate the complexities of menopause.

With over two decades of experience in women’s health and wellbeing, Anne brings a wealth of knowledge gleaned from her personal journey and interactions with individuals and organisations alike.

Drawing from her background as a Personal Trainer and Coach specialising in weight-based training, coupled with her expertise in Human Resources and her menopause accreditations, Anne is uniquely positioned to collaborate with organisations in achieving their menopause-related goals in the workplace.

Originally hailing from Ireland, Anne made the move to New Zealand in 2018, following more than 20 years in the UK, where she successfully owned and operated a fitness and wellness gym. Now firmly settled in Canterbury with her husband, adult children, and their labradoodle, Max, Anne’s influence transcends borders.

Anne’s work extends across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Ireland, collaborating with organisations and specialists worldwide. Additionally, she conducts 12-week virtual menopause programs for individuals, providing support on a global scale.

Join Anne on her mission to empower women worldwide as they navigate their unique menopausal journeys.

Franzisca Doser
Emergency Management Lead (Waitaha District) for Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora

She / Her

Franzisca Doser is 30 years old and works as Emergency Management Lead (Waitaha District) for Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. Franzisca’s appreciation for community resilience and psychosocial recovery emerged while she was part of MSD’s Kaiwhakaoranga Service – the team of specialist case managers who worked alongside the survivors, witnesses and families from the 15 March 2019 terrorist attacks. Her mahi with MSD also involved an opportunity to support Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu with their whānau emergency response to Omicron. This lead her to later apply for a role with Civil Defence Emergency Management, which she describes to this day as the best jump into the unknown she ever made.

The past five years have seen Franzisca embark on an unexpected career path – one she could never have conceived, let alone navigated, on her own. She believes wholeheartedly that her professional growth should be attributed to not only the leaders, but also the teams she has had the privilege to be part of.

Franzisca’s talk at the Women in Public Service Summit 2024 will revolve around the art of asking for advice, choosing who to get influenced by, and leaning into the people who want to see you (and your mahi) succeed.

Prof. Bronwyn Hayward
Professor in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

She / Her

Professor Bronwyn Hayward (MNZM/FSRNZ) is a Professor in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. She was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2021 for her contributions to youth, sustainability and climate change  and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Royal Society. Professor Hayward has served as leading social scientist locally, nationally and internationally. Nationally she co-leads the Mana Rangatahi project, a Deep South National Science challenge to support the leadership capability of Māori and Pācific Youth in communities at risk of flooding. Internationally, she has served on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a lead author, co-ordinating author and core writing team member for reports on 1.5 degrees, Cities and Infrastructure, Adaptation and Synthesis reports and has advised UNEP and UNICEF on issues related to sustainability and youth. Professor Hayward also leads a 7-nation study funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council identifying ways to support children and youth low-carbon, sustainable wellbeing in cities (CYCLES) with the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity at Surrey University UK. At home her research lab: Hei Pūawaitanga: Sustainability, Citizenship and Civic Imagination is a charity investing in local students and research promoting disaster recovery, intergenerational justice and social cohesion for stronger local democracies. She has served on the Spark Foundation, and Give A little, and as a Ministerial appointment as Commissioner for Broadcasting Standards. In 2019 she was a Kiwi Bank local hero award. And in 2022 she was awarded the Supreme New Zealand Women of Influence award for contributions to climate and sustainability and youth..

Panel Speakers

Diane McDermott
Central South Commissioner, Ministry for Primary Industries

She / Her

After an extensive career across employment, education and training, Diane migrated from Scotland 13 years ago to make New Zealand her new home. Diane has held several senior leadership roles and has led many successful projects within the Not-For-Profit sector, Health, and Central and local Government agencies. Diane has a relentless focus on enabling teams to respond to the current and future needs of the economy, environment, and communities. Having a big picture view of wider economic, social and community issues, and a proven track record of initiating strong cross-sectorial partnerships, Diane has seen positive change and outcomes for individuals, families, and communities throughout her career. 

Diane is currently the Central/South Commissioner for Biosecurity New Zealand with the Ministry for Primary Industries and holds a large geographical span of coverage from Taupo to the bottom of the South Island. Diane is responsible for leading the team that helps keep New Zealand’s borders safe from biosecurity threats. This includes biosecurity at Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown International airports, as well as numerous seaports and the target and evaluation, operational intelligence and people and capability teams that provide national support to help strengthen border biosecurity. Diane also supports the wider Biosecurity New Zealand directorate within MPI and is the lead for Biosecurity Health, Safety and Wellbeing.  Diane has a people first approach and credits kotahitanga and manaakitanga as pillars of her success.    

In her previous role with the Ministry of Social Development as Regional Commissioner for Canterbury, New Zealand, Diane focused on empowering community success, improved access to opportunities for all. As regional commissioner she was responsible for the welfare response to COVID across the Canterbury region. Diane also held responsibility for Recommendation 25 and 26 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 15 March 2019 terrorist attack on two Christchurch Mosques in New Zealand. Recommendation 25, the Kaiwhakaoranga Service provided affected whānau, survivors and witnesses of the terrorist attack a single point of contact to navigate support. 

Diane helped establish the Collective Impact Board, which was Recommendation 26 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry. One of her most challenging, yet rewarding roles, is being a mother to 4 children and she is blessed with three beautiful grandchildren. 

Jenna Guest
Team Manager - Intelligence & Targeting Team, Ministry for Primary Industries Manatū Ahu Matua

She / Her

In 2011, Jenna began working as an Intelligence Analyst with New Zealand Police in Counties Manukau, having graduated from the University of Canterbury with an MA in Political Science.  

In 2017, Jenna joined Biosecurity New Zealand, part of the Ministry for Primary Industries, as an Intelligence Analyst in the Intelligence and Targeting Team. Over the next few years, she progressed to Senior Intelligence Analyst, then Team Leader before becoming the Team Manager in 2022.

Jenna is currently based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, managing a team spread across New Zealand with multiple functions and areas of responsibility. While she remains an analyst at heart, her unexpected career progression into management has provided new opportunities and challenges. Jenna enjoys the challenge of leading leaders and managing a diverse team in a fast--paced and evolving environment. 

Saane Havea
Manager - Customer Information at Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake 

She / Her

Saane Havea is currently the Manager of Customer Information at Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake. During her leadership journey, Saane adopted several leadership styles which have evolved to meet the organisational values while still respecting her Tongan cultural values that keep her authentic. She attributes much of her success to her strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning. The transition into leadership felt seamless to her, and she feels that this progression quite early in her career is largely down to her upbringing. 

“I was raised by my Tongan grandparents who didn’t speak any English. I was responsible for managing my time as well as their schedules, and often had to take them to appointments and speak on their behalf. I was the eldest of all my first cousins in my family and had to learn a lot about responsibility and leadership from a very young age. When I stepped into a team leader role in a professional setting, I felt leadership came to me very naturally.” Starting as a Customer Service Consultant in 2015, she was promoted to Team Lead in 2018, followed by her role as Contact Centre Manager and her current position of Manager, Customer Information after relocating to Christchurch for the opportunity.   

Saane won the EQC Values Ambassador Chief Executive Award in 2020, The EQC Values Ambassador award is the ‘supreme award’ and is awarded to someone who has demonstrated a commitment to not one, but all of our values. Nominated 13 times, she was recognised for her professionalism, leadership, integrity, generosity, and humanistic approach.

In 2021 Saane was selected by the Executive Leadership Team to attend the New Zealand Leadership Programme, and embarked on a year-long learning journey that broadened her world view. The theme for 2021 was ‘Mana Orite’, which resonated with her as a Tongan born woman navigating life in a Western society. It made her think of the Tongan proverb “Fai aki e ‘ilo ‘oua e fai ’aki e ifo” (Knowing, not by tasting). This proverb signifies the importance of knowing and understanding one’s own biases, prejudices, and actions of privilege. 

Saane has continued to pursue her academic goals and, while working a full-time job, being a proud working Mum, and earned her Bachelor of Applied Management from the University of Otago. She has also experienced the growth opportunity that comes with experience on the Executive Leadership team, having been seconded into the position of Head of Performance and Reporting for twelve months from November 2022.  

Facilitator: Steph Voight
Regional Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development Southern Regional Public Service Commissioner, Otago and Southland

She / Her

Steph is a proud Southerner, growing up in the small town of Kurow in North Otago and now living in Ōtepoti/Dunedin. 

After graduating with a BA in Political Studies from The University of Otago, Steph moved to Wellington, where she joined Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development in the Kilbirnie Service Centre.  This gave her true insight into MSD’s core role serving our whānau and hapori across the motu through the spirit of service. 

She has held various leadership roles in the Southern and Wellington Regions, as well as MSD’s National Office – and has also been supported to gain an Executive Masters Public Administration from Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).                  

Steph left MSD in 2019 to take up the role of Regional Manager at Te Tāhū o te Tūre / Ministry of Justice for Otago and South Canterbury.  Working across the Justice Sector, supporting our judiciary and enabling greater access to justice in our hapori expanded her mind and passion for working collectively across the Public Service and our key partners. 

Intention Setting

Peter Mersi
Commissioner, Inland Revenue appointed

He/Him

Mr Mersi was appointed Chief Executive, Ministry of Transport in 2016.

From 2012 to 2016 he was Chief Executive Land Information New Zealand.

He was Acting Secretary and Chief Executive Department of Internal Affairs (2011-2012).

From 2010 to 2012 Mr Mersi was Deputy Commissioner, Business Transformation at Inland Revenue Department.

He held a number of senior roles at the Treasury from 1996 to 2010, including Deputy Secretary, State Sector Performance Group (2003-2010) and Deputy Secretary, Regulatory and Tax Policy Branch (2002-2003).

Summit MC

Michele A'Court

MC and Comedienne

She/Her

Winner of “Comedienne of the Decade” at the 2010 NZ Comedy Awards, Michèle A’Court is a stand-up comedian, writer and bestselling author.She has been on New Zealand TV screens since 1987 and still turns up all over the place. She talks a lot – sometimes on radio and TV, sometimes in pubs and clubs – and works the comedy circuit in places like San Francisco, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland and Mangawhai.

Michèle has authored two books, and has been writing a weekly opinion column since 2008, initially with the Press and Stuff, and now for the iconic NZ Woman’s Weekly. She is also in demand as a social commentator on television and radio. She likes to say she has a “portfolio career” which includes work as a corporate MC and entertainer, an actor, voice artist, podcaster and freelance feature writer.