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At the helm
Michelle Kennedy is the Founder and Programme Director of Auckland Climate Festival, an established initiative in Taamaki Makaurau whose platform catalyses and accelerates climate action year-round, primarily through an annual programme. The 2023 Auckland Climate Festival, set to build on this vision, is slated for later in the year. Launched in 2021, and having doubled in size in 2022, Michelle’s leadership of the Festival reflects her ambitions and vision for Auckland’s future, one that is inclusive, just and regenerative. Her passion lies in raising ambition on climate action, leaning on the work of leading scientists, activators and storytellers to tell a new, hope-filled story and drive climate action for Aotearoa. Michelle is also a visionary thinker and calculated risk taker, passionate about collaboration and the generation of new and innovative ideas. With roots in Aotearoa and experience gained locally and worldwide, she draws on her expertise in strategic urban and transport planning, foresight and innovation, and geography and environmental management in the curation and delivery of the Auckland Climate Festival.
Behind the Festival
Six Generations Ltd is an impact-led social enterprise established to drive meaningful climate action by curating information and conversation in new and creative ways. The notion of thinking generations ahead when making decisions about how we shape society has been the guiding principle of many cultures around the world for centuries. At Six Generations Ltd we deeply care about the future of the people and places of Aotearoa. We consider ourselves part of today’s generation of innovators, strategists and activators – everyday people with deep convictions to play our part in making change. We know the next five years are crucial for climate action and we are committed to doing what we can to ensure the six generations that come after us can have a prosperous future. We are excited to be organising Auckland Climate Festival again in 2023 as a part of our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy for Taamaki Makaurau and beyond.

On our Advisory Board

Alec Tang (Chair)

Alec Tang is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. Most recently, Alec’s work has been focussed on the creation of low carbon, resilient and equitable urban environments, having led Auckland Council’s Sustainability Office through the development of Te Taaruke-aa-Taawhiri, Auckland’s Climate Plan and worked as Director of Sustainability at Kaainga Ora: Homes and Communities. He also lectures on sustainable business at Auckland University of Technology.

Alec Tang

CHAIR

Alec Tang

Dave Watson

Dave is the Lead for Regional Partnerships Climate Action in the Chief Sustainability Office at Auckland Council. He brings individuals and organisations together for the radical (and not so radical) collaboration needed to accelerate action on Te Taaruke aa Taawhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. Having worked in the creative sector, events, not-for-profits, business and now local government, Dave is committed to connecting others to opportunities that create positive environmental and social outcomes.

Dave Watson

Dave Watson

Ian Short

As a New Zealand-born father of two, Ian’s career has seen him work in finance in the UK and the US and set up and run an urban development corporation responsible for the regeneration of east London. With an ignited passion for supporting systems innovation, Ian also went on to establish and run both the Institute for Sustainability and Climate-KIC. Since his return home in 2017, he co-founded The Connective, helping design and implement alternative business models and investment structures that deliver for people and the planet.

Ian Short

Ian Short

Yii Petrus

Prior to entering the not-for-profit sector, Yii’s career experience centred around corporate sector leadership roles in business development, strategic management and marketing. After becoming a mother to three children, her focus shifted to giving them the best start in life – leading her to join the senior leadership team for Parenting Place. Now, as Programme Director for Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, Yii’s passion centres on enabling a sustainable future for future generations.

Yii Petrus

Yii Petrus

Jessica Hiscox

Ko Maungakiekie te Maunga | Ko Manawatū te awa | I tipu ake ahau i Papaioea | E noho ana ahau kei Tāmaki | Ko Jess Hiscox tōku.

Originally from Palmerston North, Jessica now works for Ngaati Whaatua Oorakei, providing technical and strategic advice on sustainability as well as working with indigenous leaders and whaanau to advance cultural, social, and environmental aspirations.

Jessica Hiscox

Jessica Hiscox

Tori McNoe

Tori’s vested interest in rangatahi and governance sees her work as Director & Poutaki Hononga at Uniservices. She has also served on MBIE’s Canterbury Regional Skills Leadership Group, was the first Wahine Maaori President of the University of Canterbury Students’ Association and chairs the Canterbury Momentum Investment Committee. She’s been named on the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and Superdiversity Institute’s ‘Top Diverse Directors List’, and was a finalist in the Women of Influence Awards - Young Leader.

Tori McNoe

TE ARAWA / NGAATI TAHU - NGAATI WHAO

Tori McNoe

Faiesea Ah Chee

Faiesea Ah Chee is a young Samoan climate warrior and a student at the University of Auckland. It’s her interest in indigenous knowledge and sustainability that drives her involvement across many groups, including the University’s Sustainable Future Collective as an event planner. She is also deputy Chairperson for the Whau Youth Board, Trustee for the Whau River Catchment Trust Board and an active member of the Pacific Climate Warriors.

Faiesea Ah Chee

Faiesea Ah Chee

Anna-Jane Edwards

Anna-Jane is a third generation Cook Islander and a proud Aucklander. She is deeply interested in how government organisations partner with community to enable positive intergenerational social change, evident in her local government roles over the past ten years. Her other work, including with The Southern Initiative and Dream Fonotaga has brought her to lead the Pacific work for TSI, turning her attention to social procurement and supplier diversity and setting up He Waka Eke Noa.

Anna-Jane Edwards

Anna-Jane Edwards

Clare Morgan

Clare Morgan is the CEO of Organic Initiative, a New Zealand founded business with the goal of removing plastic from Hygiene products — starting with period products. She has over 30 years sales and marketing experience globally, focussed on building brands especially in FMCG. Born in the Northern Manawatu and raised on a sheep and beef farm, Clare has a strong connection to the land, animals and climate, and a passion for sustainability and the planting of native trees on the farm.

Clare Morgan

Clare Morgan

Alec Tang (Chair)

Alec Tang is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. Most recently, Alec’s work has been focussed on the creation of low carbon, resilient and equitable urban environments, having led Auckland Council’s Sustainability Office through the development of Te Taaruke-aa-Taawhiri, Auckland’s Climate Plan and worked as Director of Sustainability at Kaainga Ora: Homes and Communities. He also lectures on sustainable business at Auckland University of Technology.

Alec Tang

CHAIR

Alec Tang

Dave Watson

Dave is the Lead for Regional Partnerships Climate Action in the Chief Sustainability Office at Auckland Council. He brings individuals and organisations together for the radical (and not so radical) collaboration needed to accelerate action on Te Taaruke aa Taawhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. Having worked in the creative sector, events, not-for-profits, business and now local government, Dave is committed to connecting others to opportunities that create positive environmental and social outcomes.

Dave Watson

Dave Watson

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