CALL FOR PRESENTERS
The CETANZ conference organising committee invites you to submit abstracts for presentation at our bi-annual conference, themed Building Robust Tomorrows.
This year, we are focusing on the latest advancements in civil engineering testing and the critical role of civil engineering testing laboratories in ensuring the resilience, sustainability, and longevity of our infrastructure alongside the resilience of our businesses and our industry, specifically in the challenging times we have faced and are facing.
We are particularly interested in presentations that showcase innovation, new technologies and methodologies, address current challenges, and contribute to a more robust future.
We encourage all interested parties to submit their abstracts and contribute to the success of this important conference. Join us as we work together to build robust tomorrows through innovation and excellence in civil engineering testing.
Keynote Speakers
Cameron Bagrie
Cameron is Managing Director of Bagrie Economics, a boutique tailored research firm. He was previously chief economist of ANZ.
Cameron has other business interests including Chaperon – helping business navigate banking, and Equity Release NZ. He is a director on a number of boards including NZ apple and Pear and is chair of Transporting NZ.
He is passionate about giving back and sits on the board of Life Education NZ.
His economic, private business, director and giving back hats give him a wide perspective on NZ and global themes.
Priyani de Silva-Currie
Priyani and her parents arrived in New Zealand 50 years ago as a refugee from war torn Sri Lanka. She is now a proud Kiwi. Priyani has 30 years’ experience as a strategic asset manager, advising communities, central and local government, and she is a Technical Fellow at Beca.
Priyani sees the future of asset management as vital to our prosperity. Priyani brings a unique perspective that balances indigenous knowledge, and western based asset management approaches within New Zealand and international contexts.
Priyani believes that all of us as Kaitiaki and stewards of our human, natural and built environment add enormous value to our world, our communities and our organisations. In her spare time Priyani advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion for women and ethnic communities.
Priyani is the Vice President of IFME, Past President and Life Member of Āpōpō, and former Chairperson and Life Member of Carbon and Energy Professionals (CEP).
Master of Ceremonies
Bruce Hopkins
Bruce grew up the son of a commercial cray fisherman and so did many seasons over the years as a deckhand.
He graduated from Otago University, School of Physical Education, but discovered the world of the performing arts & spent 8 years as a professional contemporary dancer in Australia & NZ including dancing with the NZ Ballet (pre their ‘Royal’ tag) & Limbs Dance Co. On becoming a parent Bruce transitioned to acting, which he has been doing for close to 40 years. Roles have included the title role of MacBeth on stage & the long haired, bearded horse riding commander of the armies of Rohan, Gamling, in The Two Towers & Return of The King from Peter Jacksons Lord of the Rings trilogy.
His MC journey now spans decades, he founded the unique Temp HR agency ActionActors, & the joys of his life are his 3 adult progeny and 4 wicked mokopuna.
If you need any more info, as Mae West said, “come & see me sometime”.
Bruce considers it a real honour to be invited back for the CETANZ conference as your MC.
Plenary Presenters
Rhys Clark
Group Commercial Director at Tonkin + Taylor, Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Fellow of CPA, 20 years experience in senior finance (CFO & similar) roles in Financial Services (Westpac, ASB and Fisher & Paykel Finance) and 15 years in Chief Financial Officer roles in large infrastructure projects in New Zealand, including City Rail Link and Crown Fibre Holdings, the Crown entity established to procure, fund and manage the roll out of ultra-fast broadband to New Zealand.