Speakers

NEW ZEALAND AEROSPACE SUMMIT 2024

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Ōtautahi Christchurch / 23-24 September

LET US INTRODUCE OUR

Invited Summit Speakers

More speakers to come…our programme is being finalised check back for further updates

Meet our MC

David Downs

CMInstD 
Genetically Modified Optimist 

David has had a successful career in the private and public sector and is now CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious government-funded organisation marketing New Zealand to the world.

 He also acts as a consultant and is a director on several boards, including as Chair of The Icehouse, and the Hi-Tech Trust. David is an ex-comedian, TV and radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, cancer survivor and a published author of the books No.8 Re-wired, No.8 Recharged, A Mild Touch of the Cancer, and Silver Linings.

David founded SOS Business, a hugely successful not-for-profit initiative to help cafes and other small businesses during covid-19.

  • Deputy Director Emerging Technologies, Programme, Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

    Scott grew up In Hawkes Bay and enjoyed an aviation career that included 20 years as a military fast jet pilot in both New Zealand and United Kingdom. He was a tactics instructor and standards examiner on aircraft such as the Tornado F3, Hawk T1 and Hawk 128.

    Scott has held roles at the CAA in New Southern Sky Programme, Licensing and Standards, and most recently in the Emerging Technologies Programme (ETP).

    Scott’s team, the Emerging Technologies Unit, is responsible for being the public face of the ETP. The three main tasks of the unit are to conduct decision-making activity that necessarily precedes regulatory approvals for novel and disruptive technologies, to internally project manage and coordinate resources needed novel aviation activities, and identify and develop process improvements.

  • Heidi Hauf has 20 years’ experience working in strategic advisory, project management and policy roles with business, government and NGOs.

    Most recently, Heidi led Boeing Australia’s sustainable aviation activity including policy advocacy, informing strategy and technical roadmaps. Heidi built Boeing’s sustainability capability in the APAC region through support to six Australian business units as well as developing partnerships that advanced aerospace sustainability globally. In this role, Heidi was appointed to the Australian Jet Zero Council and Sustainable Aviation Aotearoa. She provided industry leadership through her role as chair of both the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance (SAFAANZ) and Aviation / Aerospace Australia GreenSkies Committee, and as a Board Director for Bioenergy Australia.

    A graduate of the Royal Military College-Duntroon, Heidi started her career as an intelligence officer in the Australian Army. Heidi left defence in 2005 and has worked on systemic sustainability across social and environmental issues ever since. Heidi advised and developed strategies with 3M, Unilever, Novo Nordisk, Ports of Auckland, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Marks & Spencer amongst others. She has conducted community-based management and policy development in SE Asia, East Africa and with First Nations People, as well as helped to shape national policy in Australia, NZ, Europe and the UK.

  • CEO of Droneshows Limited, Chair of UAVNZ, and a Council Member of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand

    Isaac combines research, practical experience, and advocacy work regarding the operation and regulation of emerging aviation technologies, with a focus on uncrewed aircraft systems. Isaac’s work spans projects in New Zealand and abroad, where he has worked on developing new aircraft systems, or assisting with their integration into the conventional aviation system. He emphasises the importance of aligning concepts of operation, business strategies, and regulatory policies to unlock the full potential of emerging aviation technologies. Isaac looks forward to guiding these areas of discussion as moderator of the session on certificating emerging aviation technologies.

  • Co-founder and Managing Partner, Even Capital

    Sarah is an avid investor in early-stage companies, and following an extensive career in corporate finance and capital markets, Sarah evolved her focus towards full time investment and governance. Alongside her involvement in Even Capital, Sarah holds Independent Directorship and Audit & Risk Chair roles across a number of prominent organisations.

  • CEO, Kea Aerospace and President, Aerospace New Zealand

    Mark was the seed investor and co-Director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. Mark is the CEO of Kea Aerospace, a company that is building solar-powered aircraft that will continuously fly for months in the stratosphere to capture more frequent high-resolution data for applications such as environmental monitoring, maritime domain awareness, disaster response and commercial insights. He is the President of Aerospace New Zealand, which is an industry-led body working to grow the aerospace sector.

  • Director Emerging Technologies Programme, CAA New Zealand

    Steve Smyth served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for 30 years, commanding a fighter squadron and subsequently a strategic air base. In his last role he was responsible for all RAF operational test and evaluation. Steve then led the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Introduction into Service programme to upgrade and replace every aircraft and supporting system in the operational fleet.

    In July 2014 Steve joined the CAA of New Zealand as Director of the New Southern Sky programme, a decade long modernisation of the New Zealand aviation system. As a result of the New Southern Sky programme, New Zealand’s aviation infrastructure (digital and physical), is amongst the most up to date and resilient in the world, enabled by a tailored regulatory framework that supports its safe and secure use.

    In August 2021, Steve took up his current role as Director Emerging Technologies Programme. The programme spans all emerging technologies that are yet to be certified, including RPAS and AAM, new digital and physical infrastructure and aircraft propulsion systems.

  • Head of ATS Support at Airways New Zealand

    Johl has over two decades in air traffic control operations, he is a prominent leader in strategic operations, dedicated to propelling performance, streamlining operations, and overseeing critical projects. He holds a Master of Aviation Management and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and has multiple certifications in communication, strategic thinking, and air traffic services.

    In his current role as Head of ATS Support at Airways New Zealand, Johl guides and influences the Air Traffic Services division, ensuring that Airways not only meets but exceed standards and customer expectations. His leadership extends to overseeing specialist teams in achieving operational strategic goals, optimised procedures, crafting training programs, maintaining adherence, measuring operational performance, planning workforce development, leveraging data analytics and ensuring operational compliance with regulations. His tenure is characterised by significant enhancements in operations and compliance, as well as the adoption of innovative trends and technologies.