SPEAKERS

This page will be updated as new speakers are confirmed. The speakers and presenters include:

  • Keynote Speakers
  • Special Sessions Invited Speakers
  • Workshop Presenters
  • YGP Breakfast Presenters


Keynote Speakers

Prof. Jan Evans-Freeman

Professor Evans-Freeman PhD, CMInstD, FInstP, DistFEngNZ, commenced her academic career in 1990 when she became a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Manchester, Institute of Science of Technology. In 2004 she then took on the position of Professor of electronic materials and Head of Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University.  

In 2009 she and her husband emigrated from the UK to New Zealand. She took up the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engineering at the University of Canterbury in 2009. Since 2021, Jan has been serving as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability at the same university.

In this role she is responsible for increasing awareness about how to achieve more sustainable university operations, teaching and research, and also advising the Vice-Chancellor on how to reduce the university’s total carbon footprint.

Jan is also the current President of Engineering New Zealand.

As hobbies, Jan is a trained classical musician (vocal), directing the University Choir, rides a motorbike, and also runs her four dogs in dog agility competitions throughout New Zealand. 


Prof. Dr. Xuanmei Fan 

Xuanmei Fan is director of State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (SKLGP) at Chengdu University of Technology, China. She received her PhD in Engineering Geology from the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observations (ITC) at the University of Twente in 2013. In 2015, she became a leading professor at SKLGP. Prof. Fan’s research focuses on the earthquake- and climate change-induced chains of geological hazards, long-term landscape evolution and disaster risk reduction. Her work has been widely applied in the emergency response and rescue operations following major earthquakes. Due to her significant scientific achievements and contributions to society, she has recently received Chinese Young Women Scientists Award, Scientific Exploration Award, and the Science and Technology Awards of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG). As chair, she co-founded the Global Partnership for Smart Informatics and Multi-hazard Reduction (SIMR), aiming to address the global challenges created by increasing multi-hazard risk and climate change in a fast-changing world. She has published more than 140 ISI papers in Nature Geoscience, Reviews of Geophysics, GRL, JGR etc.


Dr. Burt Look 

Title: Engineering Uncertainty: The Struggle Between Facts and Beliefs in Geotechnics

Dr Burt Look completed his master’s degree at Imperial College, London, and his PhD part time at The University of Queensland while also working at Queensland Main Roads. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Philosophy. Burt has over 42 years professional Engineering experience. He was previously the Global Practice Leader in SKM (now Jacobs), and also at Aurecon. He was a previous director at FSG – Geotechnics + Foundations. Burt is the 2014 Queensland Professional Engineer of the year and the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Practitioner 2018. Burt was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020. Burt has published 4 geotechnical engineering books and over 100 technical publications focused on industry practice developments. His latest book is Earthworks: Theory to Practice - Design and Construction.


Prof. Kyle M. Rollins

Title: Liquefaction-Induced Downdrag and Dragload from Full-Scale Blast Liquefaction Testing

Kyle Rollins received his BS degree from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. After working as a geotechnical consultant, he joined the Civil Engineering faculty at BYU in 1987 following his father who was previously a geotechnical professor. His research has involved deep foundation behavior, geotechnical earthquake engineering, soil improvement techniques, gravel liquefaction, bridge abutment resistance, and collapsible soils. He pioneered the use of blast-induced liquefaction testing to evaluate ground improvement effectiveness and pile performance in full-scale field tests. ASCE has recognized his work with the Huber research award, the Wellington prize, the Wallace Hayward Baker award, and the H. Bolton Seed Medal. He was Cross-Canada Geotechnical lecturer for the Canadian Geotechnical Society in 2009 and Cross-USA lecturer for the ASCE Geo-Institute in 2023-24.


Dinner Speaker

Nu'uali'i Eteroa Lafaele

Nu'uali'i Eteroa Lafaele hails from the breathtaking islands of Samoa, with roots in the villages of Fogapoa, Leulumoega Tuai, and Tafagamanu Lefaga. Born and raised in Cannons Creek, Porirua, Eteroa has always been driven by a passion for service, which has guided her throughout her career. 

This dedication to serving her community led to the creation of DigiTautua, an initiative where Eteroa and her team refurbished and fundraised for devices to bridge the digital divide. Building on this mission, she co-founded Fibre Fale in 2022, a purpose-driven collective aimed at creating pathways for Pacific people in tech. 

Her leadership and contributions to the community and tech industry have earned her significant recognition, including the Young Nzder of the Year, Hi-Tech NZ Awards for Young Achiever, Young IT Professional of the Year 2021, Prime Minister's Award recipient, MacDiarmid Institute Discovery Award, and being named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for social impact. 

Fibre Fale is a purpose-led collective co-founded by Eteroa and Julia Arnott-Neenee. Together, they design and deliver programs and platforms that build skills, foster belonging, and offer support to Pacific people at every stage of their tech journey. Their work ranges from immersive tech experiences to sharing the stories of Pacific tech trailblazers, all while creating spaces for connection, learning, and growth. 

As young Pacific leaders, Eteroa and Julia are on a mission to ensure Pacific people achieve digital equity, confidently pursue pathways in technology, and see themselves as future creators in the digital landscape.  


Special Session Invited Speakers

Dr. Kaley Crawford-Flett

Dr Crawford-Flett is the Immediate Past Chair of the New Zealand Society on Large Dams (NZSOLD) and holds an Honorary Academic position within the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Auckland. Dr Crawford-Flett's research focuses on managing internal erosion risks and geotechnical hazards, particularly for aging soil structures. Her professional contributions improve the understanding and management of infrastructure in New Zealand's challenging geological and geomorphological environment. Dr Crawford-Flett is an appointed member of the Technical Working Group for New Zealand Building (Dam Safety) Regulation and serves as a reviewer for various academic journals. She presently serves as Engineering Technical Coordinator for the government-convened Seismic Risk Working Group. 


Tim Farrant

Tim Farrant is the Building Engineering Manager at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), where he leads a team to strengthen New Zealand's building system through sound engineering practice and effective regulation. 

He is a Chartered Professional Engineer and active member of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society. He has contributed to national guidance and supported responses to major seismic and flooding events. At the NZGS Symposium he will share insights from MBIE's current work programme and contribute to discussions at the intersection of engineering, policy and resilience. 


Dr. Jo Horrocks

Jo Horrocks is the Chief Resilience and Research Officer at the Natural Hazards Commission I Toka Tū Ake, where she leads the organisation's investment in science data, and modelling to improve New Zealand's understanding of natural hazard risks and how to reduce them. Over the past six years, Jo has overseen a programme of around $14 million annually, focused on turning foundational and complex science into practical insights that support better decisions on natural hazard risk and building resilience. 

Jo is passionate about making complex science usable - whether that means advising policymakers, supporting local planners, or helping everyday New Zealanders understand the risks around them. Her focus is on ensuring research has real-world impact, by getting it into the hands of those who need it most. 


Prof. Rolando Orense

Rolando is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland. He received his BSCE (cum laude) and MSCE degrees from the University of the Philippines and Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Tokyo (Japan). His research interest is in geotechnical earthquake engineering and ground disaster mitigation engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in the Philippines and Oregon (United States) and a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.


Andy O'Sullivan

Andy O’Sullivan has gained technical and management experience over more than 30 years on medium to large, heavy civil engineering projects – working with both contractors and consultants. Andy completed his ME thesis in 2010 at the University of Auckland and has continued to maintain a close relationship, including as a part-time Professional Teaching Fellow for a number of years.


Stuart Palmer

Stuart is a geotechnical engineer with over 40 years of experience specialising in earthquake foundation engineering. He has been with Tonkin & Taylor Ltd in the Wellington office for the past 25 years. Collaborating with structural engineers is a key aspect of his work, extending to his involvement with technical societies. While Stuart considers NZGS his home society, he also works with SESOC and NZSEE. He has represented NZGS while working with the other technical societies in developing guidance documents and training in areas such as collaborative working, Stuart remains actively engaged across the technical societies. 


Ross Roberts

Ross is a chartered engineer and professional engineering geologist with over twenty years' experience in the management, planning and supervision of geotechnical and civil engineering project, including leading teams of engineers and managing multi-year consulting projects. He has worked for consultants and contractors on projects including major highway construction, railway asset management water pipeline scheme assessments, landslide assessment and remediation, microtunneling and bridge foundation design. 

His focus as Auckland Council's Chief Engineer is on natural hazards, resilience and engineering efficiency. He works part-time in Auckland Emergency Management as a Lifeline Utility Coordinator, and leads teams responsible for natural hazard risk and asset management. Ross is a past chair of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society and represents New Zealand on the Council of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment. He has recently completed two years leading the geotechnical response to the 2023 North Island Severe Weather Events, which included the categorisation and purchase of over a thousand homes at intolerable risk from flooding and landslides.


Philip Robins

Philip is an acknowledged specialist in geotechnical engineering, high-seismicity engineering, and design development. He is recognised by his peers as a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and Chair of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society. Trained as a civil engineer with a broad range of experience, locally and internationally, Philip brings outstanding technical expertise in geotechnical engineering leadership that spans all sectors of civil infrastructure. Over the past 30 years, he has consistently shown his ability to lead geotechnical design and the development of geotechnical designs for numerous projects while developing lasting client and partner relationships.


Kiran Saligame

Kiran Saligame is a senior geotechnical engineer employed with Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), Building System Performance (BSP) branch where he leads and manages geotechnical programme of work for the ministry. He provides expert geotechnical engineering advice to support work across the branch and wider MBIE on complex issues in relation to NZ Building Code, NZ Building Act, various management skills and possesses high level knowledge of programme management in a public policy/regulatory environment. 

Kiran Saligame will be giving a high-level overview of the various pieces of work that are currently on-going within Building System Performance branch of MBIE. The update encompasses wide ranging topics such as addressing integrating seismic risk for new building design (how is MBIE translating new science information to regulation and compliance), seismic risk for existing buildings (considers both earthquake prone and non-earthquake prone buildings), New Zealand Geotechnical Database (NZGD), Standards Development (Timber, Steel and Concrete), Dam Safety Regulations and so on. 


Dr. Luke Storie

Luke is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Technical Director in Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering at Tonkin + Taylor, where he has been working for almost 10 years. Prior to that he completed his PhD at the University of Auckland on Soil-foundation-structure interaction and has continued to have a passion for bringing rocking foundations and nonlinear foundation effects from research into practice. 


Dr. Mark Stringer

Dr Mark Stringer is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury.  Mark’s current research focusses on the behaviour of the pumiceous deposits of the North Island through a range of experimental methods including laboratory testing on undisturbed samples as well as dynamic centrifuge modelling.  Mark read engineering at the University of Cambridge where he also received his PhD in 2008 for work on the axial load capacity of piled foundations in liquefiable soils. 


Nick Wharmby

Nick has over 35 years of experience with specialist foundation contractors. He graduated and worked in the UK/Europe for 15 years with a 3-year excursion to HK. Nick has now been in New Zealand for over 20 years where he has maintained a focus to ensure the construction methodology/technique align with the design philosophy to get the best for project outcomes and efficient solutions that naturally reduce the environmental footprint. In addition to project specific works, Nick has carried out research and development works that have led directly to new systems. He has played an active role on various industry organisations to publish and promote best practice in both design and construction aspects of the industry.


Ann Williams

Ann is a Professional Engineering Geologist (PEngGeol), Fellow of Engineering New Zealand, and a Technical Fellow and Manager of Beca's Geotechnical business. As a consultant, Ann has scoped, directed and reviewed the engineering geological and hydrogeological aspects of many projects from concept design through assessment of effects and consenting to construction and monitoring. She has undertaken investigations of in a wide range of environments across New Zealand, the Pacific and parts of SE Asia, with particular emphasis on assessment of the effects of infrastructure development on groundwater and slope instability and "natural" hazards assessments and mitigation.

Ann is a Past Chair and Life Member of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society Inc., past Vice President (Australasia) and Honorary Member of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) and was recently reappointed to the IAEG board in a role representing women in Engineering Geology, which she is passionate about! She completed a term on the Board of Engineering New Zealand and is a member of the editorial boards of a number of international journals, contributing to industry guidelines locally and internationally in the areas of soil and rock description, passive rockfall protection, dewatering, engineering geological models and landslide nomenclature. Ann was the recipient of the 2022 NZGS Geomechanics Lecture Award.


Prof. Liam Wotherspoon

Liam is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and the University of Auckland. He received his BE and PhD from the same institution, with his initial research focussing on soil-foundation-structure-interaction. His research interests have evolved and expanded, now cutting across multiple aspects of geotechnical earthquake engineering and translation to practice.


Workshop Presenters

Rori Green

Rori Green is a Geological Engineer with 30 years’ consulting experience involving rock slope stability, underground excavations and dams. Since 2011 her work has primarily involved disaster-induced geohazards.  She was involved in response and recovery efforts following the February 2011 M6.3 Christchurch Earthquake, while serving as a Sector Leader within the Port Hills Geotechnical Group. Following the November 2016 M7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake, Rori was based in the Christchurch Civil Defence EOC where she helped coordinate geotechnical rapid building assessments in the Hurunui and Kaikoura Districts. On completion of the rapid building assessments, she joined the NCTIR team tasked with re-instating the road and rail corridor, working on landslide risk assessment and mitigation works.

She is the lead author for the MBIE document Rockfall: Design Considerations for Passive Protection Structures, and is currently working with MBIE to update the Geotechnical Rapid Building Assessment procedures and Field Guide. Rori previously co-delivered the Geotechnical RBA training in 2018.  She is a Tier 1 Geotechnical Rapid Building Assessor.

Rori earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona in 1993 and a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota in 2000, both in Geological Engineering.  She is based in Christchurch, where she has lived since 2004. 


Richard Justice

Richard has been a Chartered Engineering Geologist for over 30 years, with the last 12 years spent at ENGEO. His main focus is on geotechnical risk assessment, landslide and rockfall assessment, and stabilisation. Throughout his career, he has worked on various projects from across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, particularly in geohazard risk assessment and mitigation. 

Richard developed a passion for landslides under the tutelage of Don McFarlane, Dick Beetham, Gary Smith and many others as a student on the Clyde Damn Landslides Remediation Project in the early 1990's. More recently, Richard was involved with the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCITR) following the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake. He held key roles such as Geotechnical Principal for Kaikōura South and Geotechnical Lead for Transport Corridor Resilience, coordinating geotechnical teams, rockfall modelling, and designing risk mitigation works along the coastal corridor.

Richard's work with KiwiRail on various geotechnical hazard assessments and slope stabilisation measures has been crucial in ensuring the safety and resilience of railway infrastructure. Beyond project work, Richard has been actively involved over the last few years in developing the slope stability guidance documents under the New Zealand Geotechnical Society.


Dr David Lacey

Principal Geotechnical Engineer at FSG Geotechnics & Foundations, ex National Chair, Australian Geomechanics Society
David is arguably the most knowledgeable person in Australia on innovative insitu testing methods. Not only did he do his PhD and other research on them but for many years, he has been championing their use in construction projects across the country. Hence, his knowledge is both highly practical and academic – a powerful combination. 


Jeremy Neven 

Managing Director, Granite Ridge Consulting Limited
Jeremy has been involved with the building industry over 30 years with experience in building and regulation across both Canada and New Zealand. In the past several years, he has been called upon as a Tier one assessor, assisted with coordination of response resources, acted as building until recovery manager and assisted building units with transitions to business as usual and termination of designations. He also is a current member of the Building Emergency Management Technical Advisory Group with MBIE. 

Jeremy's experience with response and recovery to events includes the August 2022 weather event affecting Nelson, Buller, Tasman, and Marlborough, Auckland anniversary rain event and Cyclone Gabrielle in Hastings and area. He has dealt with the effects of flooding, inundation, land movement, rockfall, etc. in all of these events through both response and longer-term recovery periods. 


Robin Power

Business Development & Strategy, Insitutek, and Chair, Ground Level Alliance
Robin has been advocating for the implementation of innovative insitu testing methods to help clients make better informed timely decisions for more than 15 years. Many insitu testing methods were unknown in the Pacific region when Robin started working with them. Now they are being adopted as accepted testing methods on major civil construction projects and written into specifications


Razel Ramilo

Technical Director, Tonkin & Taylor, and Lead Author of Unit 4: Mitigation and Design Principles
Razel Ramilo is a Technical Director at Tonkin & Taylor Limited and a Chartered Professional Engineer with over 20 years of consulting experience. Her expertise covers groundwater and settlement, slope stabilisation, earth retaining structures, soil-structure interaction, numerical modelling, and ground instrumentation and monitoring. 

She has worked on major infrastructure projects in Singapore and Vietnam between 2003 and 2012, and since 2012 has been involved in projects across New Zealand and Australia. Her recent work includes the Mount Messenger Bypass in Taranaki, the Bridgewater Bridge in Tasmania, the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway in Wellington, and the Mordialloc Freeway in Melbourne. 

Razel is the lead author of Unit 4: Mitigation and Design Principles which focuses on mitigation strategies for managing slope instability. At Tonkin & Taylor, she holds a national leadership role, overseeing a technical group dedicated to groundwater and settlement.  


Tom Revell

Tom is currently the Principal for Ground Engineering in KiwiRail's Civil Engineering Team. In this role, he is responsible for the technical governance, compliance, and risk management of geotechnical assets across New Zealand's national rail network. 

With over 10 years of prior experience as a Senior Engineering Geologist, Tom has worked on complex infrastructure projects, including significant involvement in the Christchurch and Kaikoura Earthquake Recovery efforts, as well as various local and central government projects. Drawing on experience from the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) project, Tom has recently been involved in the development of Waka Kotahi's Rockfall Protection Design and Maintenance guidance and the NZGS Units 2 and 4. 

Tom's primary expertise lies in the assessment and mitigation of geological hazards, alongside detailed slope stability analysis and ground investigations. Tom is also passionate in implementing the use of UAVs, digital capture and geomodelling for use in ground engineering and risk analysis. 


Alan Wightman

Alan Wightman is a geotechnical engineer with about 20 years of experience, most of it based in Wellington. After graduating from the University of Canterbury in 2001, Alan served time under the flamboyant stewardship of Ian McPherson at Connell Wagner and Aurecon, rubbing shoulders with the grand old grumps of geotechnical engineering, Gavin Archer and Tony Mahoney. 

Branching out into what was then a small yet promising firm, Geoscience Consulting, now the more sizable ENGEO, Alan developed his experience in the exulted company of Richard Justice and Ayoub Ryman, et a great many al. 

Alan now claims experience in retaining walls, foundations, ground anchors and slope stability and hopes to entertain you on these last two topics at this year's symposium. Alan is an award-winning speaker, having won the coveted "Most jokes told in a single session" prize at the NZGS 2021 symposium.


YGP Breakfast Presenters

Hamish Foy

Hamish is a Senior Engineering Geologist with ENGEO with over 10 years’ experience in land development, commercial, infrastructure and recovery projects based in New Zealand, America and Australia.


Jerry Lei

I am currently working as a Subject Matter Expert at Infinity Studio, developing geotechnical engineering software in collaboration with software developers. My experience in engineering consulting, combined with my software skills, enables me to understand client needs and communicate effectively with software developers. My mission is to enhance the digital capabilities of New Zealand’s engineering community.


João Pedro de Souza Oliveira

Ioão Pedro (JP) is an Engineering Geologist based in the Tauranga ENGEO Office. JP completed his BSc in Geology and MSc in Applied Geophysics and Basin Analysis in his hometown, Rio de Janeiro, and gained valuable experience as a researcher and freelance consultant prior to moving to New Zealand in 2019.With ENGEO, JP has been involved in diverse and complex geologic and geotechnical projects across the North Island of New Zealand. JP is passionate about earth science and understanding geological processes, with great interest in structural geology, geological hazard assessment and response, geological and geomorphological mapping, GIS analyses and geological modelling.


Rebecca Till

Rebecca is a Geotechnical Engineer at Beca in Wellington. Rebecca’s key interests include slope stability assessments, conducting ground investigations and geohazard assessment. She’s been involved with a range of infrastructure projects around the North Island, including natural disaster emergency response and technical input for multidisciplinary projects. 


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