Presenters

Melanie Baker-Jones, Climate Advisor & Project Manager, Te Whakahaere
Melanie Baker-Jones, is a Climate Consultant committed to driving collaborative initiatives that empower individuals and businesses towards a climate-positive and sustainable future. With a foundation degree in Sociology and a background in IT, Melanie's early career has been shaped by problem-solving and a keen understanding of the collective wisdom gained from diverse and shared experiences. Having been admitted as a solicitor and with experience working with both corporates and SMEs, Melanie brings a unique perspective to the table. Her journey of knowledge acquisition includes not only her early career degree but also a law degree and a subsequent PhD. This doctoral research delved into the intersections of regulatory systems, legal liability, resilience, disaster management, and social media, supported in part by the prestigious Bushfire and Natural Hazard Co-operative Research Centre (CRC). This academic journey reinforced the importance of translating research findings into actionable strategies, underlining Melanie's dedication to fostering collaboration and enhancing collective capabilities. Melanie's passion for knowledge dissemination is reinforced through her role as a co-lecturer in climate change law at the University of Auckland. Continuously expanding her horizons, she is currently focused on deepening her understanding of te ao Māori and its relevance to risk perception, while also honing her proficiency in te reo. Drawing on her diverse background and expertise, Melanie continues to focus her efforts on the climate sector. Through collaborative ventures, she endeavours to integrate various strands of knowledge and experience, ultimately driving tangible outcomes for communities and future generations. Join Melanie on her journey as she navigates the intricacies of climate action, charting a course towards a sustainable future for all.

Maree Baker Galloway, Partner, Anderson Lloyd
Maree is based in Queenstown and has a national practice and profile in resource management and environmental issues and collaborative decision making. In March 2014 she was appointed by the Ministers of Conservation and Primary Industries to chair the southeast Marine Protection Forum, a 14-member community led forum to make recommendations to the Ministers on the management of the Canterbury, Otago and Southland coastline. Maree has expertise, experience and interest in freshwater management, marine issues, tourism development, urban development (including the Housing Accord and Special Housing Areas Act) and natural resource use. She advises industry leaders on complex projects, national strategies, and daily operational issues and manages complex projects and litigation. Maree also advises public interest groups and industry bodies. Maree is interested in the advances being made in buildings, technology, emissions and energy usage that fall under the category “green growth” or “clean tech” in the context of natural resource use and urban development and how environmental and planning law applies. Maree was on the national executive for the Resource Management Law Association (RMLA) from 2007 to 2017, serving from 2015 to 2017 as President. Maree is recommended as an environment lawyer in the Legal 500 (Asia Pacific) and Doyles Guide (2021 and 2022), and for her expertise in Natural Resource Law in the ‘Best Lawyers’ rankings. She co-authored the Lexis Nexis textbook “Focus on Resource Management Law”, 2015, and is author of the Costs chapter of DSL’s Environmental Handbook.