Bill English is the Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Leader of the National Party, Minister of Finance, Minister for Infrastructure and MP for Clutha / Southland. He was first elected to Parliament in 1990 as MP for Wallace, a large rural electorate covering the deep south-west end of New Zealand. Mr English was born in Dipton, Southland, and farmed in the area.

He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Otago University, followed by a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Literature at Victoria University in Wellington.

Mr English held ministerial posts in education, health, revenue and finance and he was leader of the National Party from October 2001 to October 2003

Bryce Conrad Sponsored by

Bryce Conrad is the Assistant Deputy Minister, Programme Operations, at Infrastructure Canada, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, as well as the Federal Gas Tax and the Building Canada Fund.  Mr. Conrad is also responsible for the implementation of previous generations of infrastructure funding that are still ongoing, including the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, etc..

Mr. Conrad has been with Infrastructure Canada since March 2009.  Since 2004, Mr. Conrad was with Transport Canada, as both the Senior Director and the Director General of Surface Infrastructure Programmes, where he played a major role in the approval and implementation of over $12B worth of infrastructure investments, under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Border Infrastructure Fund, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, as well as various initiatives under the $33 billion Building Canada Plan.   Prior to his tenure at Transport Canada, Mr. Conrad held successfully more senior positions with the Treasury Board Secretariat, the Privy Council Office, Human Resources Development Canada and the Department of Finance.

Infrastructure: The Cure to What Ails Your Economy?
Sept 2008 – the world’s economic pillars are teetering on the verge of collapse.  Sovereign debt is swamping our key economic allies and the credit crisis in the United States is wreaking havoc on our domestic economies.  The stock markets are in a free fall and the economic outlook is bleak.  The G-20 leaders unite in Washington and chart a course forward to right the economic ship and endure the global recession.  Infrastructure investments and stimulus become critical elements of the recovery plan – and in Canada – a partnership between the federal, provincial and local governments is struck and billions of dollars are invested across the country in infrastructure projects within days of the Federal Budget.  With the launch and successful implementation of the Economic Action Plan, we have an opportunity to review lessons learned, what worked well, what didn’t and what we will do next to ensure that our domestic economy continues to perform at an optimum level.

Steve Tew was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Rugby Union in January 2008. He first joined the organisation in 2001 as General Manager, Rugby, and in 2003 was appointed Deputy Chief Executive.

As Deputy Chief Executive, Steve was part of the team which delivered New Zealand's successful Bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011, along with a range of other achievements during 2005, including the organisation of the DHL NZ Lions Series, the implementation of the Competitions Review and a string of victories by New Zealand's national rugby teams.

Prior to joining the NZRU, Steve was Chief Executive Officer of one of New Zealand's most successful sporting organisations - the Canterbury Rugby Union and Crusaders Franchise (1996 - 2001). Other career highlights include roles as: General Secretary of the New Zealand Universities Sports Union (1982 - 1987), and General Manager of the Hillary Commission (1990 - 1995).

Steve grew up in Lower Hutt and has a strong rugby background, having played club rugby for Hutt Old Boys and Victoria University. He holds a Masters Degree in Sports Management from Victoria University. Steve was also Chef de Mission for New Zealand teams to the World Student Games in 1987 and 1993.

Derek Fry has held a variety of senior roles within the Wellington City Council since 1987.  He has a background in both the private and public sector ranging from specialist consulting through to Middle East experience with a multi-national company.  He is currently the Director Rugby World Cup 2011 & City Events.
Derek was educated at both Lincoln and Victoria Universities in Business Administration and Landscape Architecture.

He is a member of the Senior Management Board and has direct responsibility for the City Events Unit and Wellington City Council’s preparation leading up to and including the Rugby World Cup tournament and festival.   

Rugby World Cup 2011 - A Stadium of Four Million
On 17 November 2005 New Zealand won the rights to host Rugby World Cup 2011 following a bid spearheaded by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), and backed by the New Zealand Government. The bid was built around the theme of a “Stadium of Four Million” and promised a uniquely New Zealand flavoured Rugby World Cup.

Steve Tew, NZRU CEO, will provide insight into the initial bid process, the formation of the organising body RNZ 2011, and the progress towards hosting the largest single event to be held in this country.

Eva-Maria Salikhova

Achievements in natural hazard mitigation in New Zealand through communication between research and its application.
Examination of recent natural hazard case studies in New Zealand, culminating in the September 2010 Darfield (Canterbury) earthquake, track improving resilience to a range of perils. Lessons learned from recent events provide opportunities for further improvements.

For the past 12 years Warren Mahy has worked in the film, TV and gaming industry within New Zealand and overseas.  He has worn many hats including that of an illustrator, concept designer, on set technician, story board artist, sculptor, and 3d modeler.
His work with Wellington’s Weta Workshop Ltd and Weta Digital Ltd has placed his efforts in the worldwide arena of myth and fantasy and his Weta experience also includes the management of the manufacture and installation of large scale sculptures, as well as sculpting of scale figures and busts for various merchandising projects.
He is most noted for his contribution to Sir Peter Jackson’s trilogy of blockbusters, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ where he was responsible for assisting in the design and creation of the creatures, armour and weapons.  His influence can also be seen in numerous other films, including the remake of King Kong and Andrew Adamson’s Narnia series.
Warren’s illustration work is also seen in print, predominantly within the trading card and the role playing industry.  He has also dabbled in the TV commercial industry, and as he enjoys the link between illustration and storytelling, story boarding is one of his passions.
Warren is currently working in 3d modeling and concept design for the pre-visualisation department at Weta Digital Ltd.  Warren grew up in Whakatane, New Zealand, before moving to Wellington and he’s a passionate and inspiring speaker.

Getting it in the Can!
Film related industries must think astutely to stay alive and on top of their game. Without forward planning budgets would sky rocket and the pot of gold, however deep, would quickly be exhausted.  In the development of a film project having a SMART plan of attack is the most efficient, and in many ways can be the cheapest, way to achieve the desired ends.
From experience of over 15 years as a professional artist including the time spent with Wellington’s own ‘Weta Workshop’ and now ‘Weta Digital’, I will discus and showcase the creative process and how SMART thinking is utilised.
I am passionate about my craft and feel strongly about what Wellington and New Zealand have to offer the audiences of the world. If we continue to keep thinking on our feet and maintain the agile balance between self indulgent creativity and what could be dry, soulless film making, we will continue to stand with the giants.

Pio returns as our Conference MC. He is an accomplished Maori film, television and theatre actor, comedian and host. His appearances and performances have established him as one of New Zealand's most popular television and radio entertainers. He has twice won Best Comedy Performer at the NZ Film and TV Awards. His series "PIO" has won Best Comedy programme and his show "Te Tutu" has become New Zealand on Air's highest rated comedy programme.