Speakers and Bios for Pacific Standards Week

Ann Smith - Convenor of the New Zealand mirror committee for ISO/TC 207/SC 7

Ann Smith is currently an independent consultant advising on public and private sector carbon management strategies, mentoring sustainability professionals and convening the Standards New Zealand mirror committee for greenhouse gas and climate change management and related activities. Ann is a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, an Edmund Hillary Fellow and recipient of a Science New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was previously Professor of environmental management for business at the University of Hertfordshire and latterly Technical Manager and then Chief Executive of Toitū Envirocare, a Crown research institute-owned carbon certification scheme that operates in New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia, and Chile.

She holds a Science Honours degree from the University of Adelaide and a Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology from the University of London.

Annette Koo - Chief Metrologist and Director, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Annette is a scientist at New Zealand's Measurement Standards Laboratory. She has been there since 2008, developing expertise in the measurement of light and human perception.

Since 2021 she has been the Chief Metrologist. The main duty of the role is to ensure the integrity of the measurement system in New Zealand.

She loves all things measurement, but her favourite SI unit is the candela.

Brendan Slowey - International Learning Specialist, Standards Australia

Brendan is a highly experienced learning specialist with over 22 years delivering learning programs for a variety of different industries, organisations, and audiences.

As Standards Australia’s International Learning Specialist, Brendan is responsible for leading the design, development and delivery of learning content within capacity building projects for Standards Australia’s International Engagement team.

Brian Fitzgerald - Technical Lead Standards and Regulation at Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

For the past thirteen years I have been employed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), in a variety of technical and management roles. EECA is a central government agency tasked with reducing NZ’s energy footprint and related emissions. We do this with a combination of regulatory and incentive-based programmes across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

My current position at EECA is Technical Product & Systems Lead. This role focusses on provision of robust, science-based Standards for use in Energy Efficiency Regulations and in the market facing programmes that EECA delivers.

Between 1987 and 2002 I worked in Europe for the process engineering division of Ingersoll Rand. The role involved delivering turnkey process solutions into the food, manufacturing and waste sectors. I specialised in developing and delivering high end process control systems and monitoring equipment for use in these sectors.

Prior to leaving New Zealand, I worked exclusively in management roles in the New Zealand motor industry.

Camilla Ojansivu - Senior Advisor, International Engagement, Standards New Zealand

In her role at Standards New Zealand, Camilla manages the international engagement, which includes the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Camilla is a relatively new arrival to New Zealand since October 2020. Prior to that she lived and worked in China and Hong Kong for over 17 years across various sectors, including assisting companies with their foreign direct investments and intellectual property rights at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hogan Lovells, and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

She speaks fluent Mandarin, German, Swedish, Finnish, decent French and a little Spanish and Italian. In her spare time, she coaches figure skating.

Claire Falck - Chief Executive, Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ)

Claire has enjoyed a wide-ranging career in both the public and private sectors, specialising in system design and complex transformation assignments. She has held senior roles with BRANZ as their General Manager System Transformation, Rio Tinto Alcan, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Social Development, and the former Housing New Zealand Corporation.

Prior to joining BRANZ, Claire was Practice Lead at MartinJenkins. Claire has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (BCA) from Victoria University of Wellington.

Cindy Varnier - Climate Change and Resilience Specialist

With 15 years of experience in environmental management, sustainability, risk, and climate change and resilience, Cindy Varnier is dedicated to contributing to the climate response, particularly in the South Pacific.

Cindy has worked with governments, non-profit and private sector firms to help them understand how climate change could impact their people, assets, and systems, and develop responses to reduce impact. She has facilitated over 100 workshops and small group forums to identify climate-related risks and opportunities and conducted numerous climate risk and resilience assessments, referring and aligning her approach to international and national standards.

Cindy focuses on engaging stakeholders, extracting their knowledge and experience while building capability and climate literacy.

Craig Pattison - Risk & Strategy Expert | Digital Transformation | Executive Coaching & AI Governance

Craig is a visionary digital strategist, with a strong focus on the value of academia and standards education. He is at the forefront of digital transformation, having founded the IT Service Management Forum in New Zealand, actively participating in ISO/IEC standards development (ISO/IEC 20000, ISO/IEC 38500 and ISO/IEC 31000), as the Chair of Risk and Audit Trust Alliance New Zealand, and recently taking on the role of Deputy Chair of the AI Governance Working Group.

Craig's facilitation and chairing skills demonstrate his ability to lead and guide discussions effectively, fostering a collaborative environment that drives decision-making and strategic alignment. His expertise in facilitation and chairing not only enhances the efficiency of board meetings and strategic sessions but also empowers teams to achieve their objectives with clarity and purpose.

Danielle Aberdeen - Manager, Commercial and Sectors, Standards New Zealand

Danielle leads the Commercial and Sectors team at Standards New Zealand. Her team are responsible for the following functions: Communications and Marketing, Copyright and Licensing, Digital Products, Business Development and Stakeholder Engagement, Account Management and Client Relations, Special Projects, Subscription Services, International Engagement and International Standards Development.

Danielle has both private and public sector experience, which spans business development, stakeholder engagement, commercial, digital solutions, account management and client relationships.

She brings valuable experience from her 13 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she developed effective growth and client development strategies across multiple market segments and service lines.

David Pawson - Senior Technical Consenting Officer, Wellington City

As a Senior Technical Consenting Officer for Wellington City, I am part of an organisation that embraces change and invites inclusive conversations. The main purposes of my roles are to process applications, consider technical issues, monitor building consents, and to provide information in respect of the Building Act. 

My decades of experience as an Architect, together with my practical building experience, enables me to understand the big picture, and to liaise well across the divide between compliance and design.

I enjoy bringing constructive experiences to those with whom I interact, in both a professional and social capacity. 

David Wilkie - Executive Director, TSA Riley Group

David Wilkie was Chair of the development committee for the recent NZS 3910 revision.

With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, David understands the complexities of construction contracts.

He has worked on many major New Zealand construction projects including the Auckland Downtown Redevelopment; Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel; SkyCity New Zealand International Convention Centre; Auckland Metropolitan Rail Network improvements; Auckland City Hospital; and Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Derek Kawiti - Professor of Architecture at Victoria University, Wellington

Derek specialises in Māori Designed Environments and the application of contemporary manufacturing technologies and automation in architecture.

As an architectural practitioner Derek is a director of interdisciplinary architectural design firm, CILOARC, and is an associate director at Peddle Thorp Architects in Auckland where he is cultural and digital lead on a range of civic and government projects.

He has extensive experience as a cultural strategist and design advisor to major companies in the building industry.

Djamil Abdelaziz - Director, Government of New Caledonia & Chair of the Pacific Islands Standards Committee

For over three decades, Djamil worked in French university hospitals as Technical Director and is currently Director of the New Caledonian Construction Referential for the New Caledonian government. He has worked on standards in France and Europe, including Chairing a standards development committee and leading the French standardisation strategy under the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR), a Paris-based standards organisation and a member body of ISO.

He has led on development of a legislative and regulatory regime linked to a compulsory construction insurance system that included construction standards, qualification requirements for builders and conformity certification systems. As Chair of the first Pacific Regional Standards Committee, Djamil is seasoned in stakeholder engagement, having created links and partnerships that support New Caledonia’s infrastructure needs, conformity and economic wellbeing.

Janet Goodman – Senior Adviser, Food Risk Management, Ministry for Primary Industries

Janet is a United Kingdom (UK) trained food technologist. She has worked for the New Zealand government agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code in New Zealand for 20 years.

The main duty of her current role is implementing the rules for what can be put in food and beverages, and how to label these products.

John Hemi - Director Construction Productivity, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga

John was a member of the NZS:3910:2023 Review Committee representing Te Waihanga who, together with the Construction Sector Accord, jointly Commissioned Standards New Zealand to undertake the review. John is currently working with Standards New Zealand to progress reviews of standard contracts NZS 3916 ‘Design and Construct’ and NZS 3917 ‘Term Maintenance’.

Based in Auckland, John has 40 years construction industry experience predominantly working for Commercial Construction Main Contractors in New Zealand and more recently as advisor on the sector to Government.

John is currently Board Chair of the New Zealand Institute of Building and a has been a Member of the Institute for 25 years. John is an Affiliate member of the Society of Construction Contract Practitioners. John has a Civil Engineering degree from Auckland University, is a graduate of the Darden EY Executive Leadership Programme and is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Katie Symons - Principal Engineering Advisor, MBIE, Building Systems and Performance

Katie Symons is Principal Advisor, Engineering, in the Building System Performance branch of New Zealand’s Minister of Business Innovation and Employment. For the last 5 years, she has led the New Zealand Government’s work to reduce whole-of-life embodied carbon emissions of buildings.

Katie is a chartered professional structural engineer in New Zealand and the UK, and has over 15 years’ experience designing building structures in both countries. She has particular expertise in assessing the embodied carbon of buildings and construction materials.

She is the convenor of the New Zealand mirror committee for ISO/TC 59/SC 17 “Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.

Malcolm MacMillan - National Manager, Standards New Zealand

Malcolm leads Standards New Zealand’s team of 32 staff, including carrying delegated authority for the statutory officer role of New Zealand Standards Executive, under the Standards and Accreditation Act 2015. He brings a background in strategic and operational leadership across the Government sector, including design and delivery of regulatory reform initiatives and programme delivery across a range of sectors. He is very familiar with the standards and conformation world having working experience with New Zealand Standards, accreditation, certification, licensing, registration, audit, performance review, and quality management and assurance schemes during his career.

Relationship management, engagement and collaboration with stakeholders is at the heart of Malcolm’s role and he has seen first-hand how standards benefit those in the diverse sectors he has worked in, including building and construction, health and safety, primary industries, housing, COVID-19 response, emergency response and recovery, aviation, and central and local government building and planning functions.

Malcolm has worked across a range of government agencies, often working closely with leading industry organisations both domestic and international, represented New Zealand and our interests at international forums and general assemblies, fronted select committees and cabinet meetings, and been on an advisory oversight committee for an independent accreditation body.

Malcolm also leads the strategy for this 92-year-old organisation, as it continues its important role as the independent national standards body, within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and as a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) via the IEC National Committee of New Zealand (NCNZ), Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC), and Pacific Islands Standards Committee (PISC).

Phil Sorrell – Regulatory compliance Practitioner, MBIE Trading Standards

Phil is a regulatory compliance practitioner and has worked for MBIE Trading Standards for over a decade. He is currently manager of compliance and enforcement, looking after a team of officers regulating legal metrology (weights and measures) throughout New Zealand.

Phil has been a professional regulator of consumer protection legislation for nearly 30 years.

Having previously worked within Trading Standards in the United Kingdom, specialising in food standards and legal metrology. Phil has represented MBIE Trading Standards at regional, Pacific Islands Metrology Committee and Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF) meetings and training courses.

Sanjai Raj - General Manager Market Integrity, and New Zealand Standards Executive, MBIE

Sanjai has over 35 years public sector experience. As well as holding the statutory function of the New Zealand Standards Executive, amongst other statutory roles, his career encompasses Official Assignee, Registrar of Companies, Group Manager-Radio Spectrum Management, General Manager Consumer Protection and Standards, and he currently holds the role of General Manager, Market Integrity within the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.

He carries oversight and responsibility for the Companies Office & Business Registries, Radio Spectrum Management, Trading Standards, Standards New Zealand, Insolvency and Trusties Services, Occupational Regulation and Criminal Proceeds and Integrity and Enforcement functions within the Ministry. Sanjai holds a BA and an MPA.

Suzanne Stew - Deputy Secretary, MBIE - Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery

Suzanne Stew is Deputy Secretary for Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery Group, which provides critical functions and services that support businesses, employees and consumers to operate successfully in the market place. Prior to joining MBIE in 2019, Suzanne was the Deputy Secretary – Corporate and Governance at the Ministry of Justice for a period of four years. Suzanne joined the public service in 2011 as General Manager Internal Partners at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, where she led the delivery of corporate support services. Prior to that, she held senior management roles spanning diverse functions at TelstraClear and Wrightson.

Suzanne is originally from the United Kingdom (UK) and worked for British Telecom and Sony before moving to New Zealand in 2001. She began her career as a product engineer and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electronic and Microprocessor Engineering from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and an MBA from Imperial College in London.

Suzanne is married to Simon and mum to Harry and given any opportunity will join in any singing or dancing.

Victoria MacLennan - Standards Approval Board Chair, and Chief Executive of the IT Professional Institute of New Zealand

Victoria MacLennan is a technology entrepreneur and champion of New Zealand digital innovation and growth and has been a ministerial advisor. An experienced CEO, managing director and chair, she has been actively involved in community engagement, supporting start-ups and chairing the charity Digital Future Aotearoa which provide free digital education with a focus on rural, Māori and Pacifica.

Victoria is passionate about growing great companies, raising digital literacy, growing New Zealand's economy, and brings an equity and inclusion lens championing equality for women. She has won numerous awards including a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to business and technology. Victoria's professional vision is to help change the face of the digital industry to collectively embrace manaakitanga, focus on diversity, create new pathways into the workforce, support reskilling and upskilling and help the digital technology industry solve large complex challenges like equity, sustainability and climate change. Victoria has been the chief executive of the IT Professionals New Zealand since 2022 and the chair of the New Zealand Standards Approvals Board since February 2023