New members appointed to Climate Change Action Committee

Three new members will contribute valuable knowledge to assist the Climate Change Action Committee in decision making on climate change in Canterbury.

Professor Anita Wreford and Professor Shaun Ogilvie have been appointed as expert independent members on climate change, and Erana Riddell will contribute to the committee with an intergenerational voice.

The committee was established by Council in April 2021 to provide effective and transparent leadership on climate change and ensure a climate resilient future for the Canterbury region.

“In 2019, Environment Canterbury was the first regional council to declare a climate emergency.

We recognise the urgency and importance of planning for climate change impacts in our region. Our new independent members bring both fresh perspectives and expert knowledge to the table that will aid our decision-making,” says Committee Co-Chair, Councillor Elizabeth McKenzie.

In addition to the new independent members, the committee is made up of all of the Councillors and Tumu Taiao.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the new members, sharing knowledge and working together to increase our response to climate change for the benefit of current and future generations in Canterbury,” says Committee Co-Chair, Councillor Vicky Southworth.

The independent Members are appointed until the Local Government Election on 8 October 2022.

Independent member profiles

Professor Anita Wreford

Professor Anita Wreford is an applied economist specialising in adaption to climate change, with a particular focus on agriculture and the primary sector.

Dr Wreford has 20 years of experience researching climate change and working with policy makers at both the national and local government level in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Dr Wreford holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Lincoln University and is the lead of the Deep South National Science Challenge’s programme on Impacts and Implications, and also works at the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit at Lincoln University.

Professor Shaun Ogilvie

Professor Shaun Ogilvie, Te Arawa (Ngāti Whakahemo), Ngāti Awa (Ngāti Pūkeko) and Pākehā, is a Professor of Ecology and the Environment at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, University of Canterbury. 

Dr Ogilvie has a PhD in Ecology from the University of Canterbury, and has extensive experience in environment research born from, for, with, and by Māori communities. His research is guided by Te Tiriti and has a focus on reversing the decline of taonga species.

He is also the Kaihautū Ngātahi Co-Director Māori of the National Science Challenge Biological Heritage, a director of private environmental research company Eco Research Associates Ltd, a Māori Business Development Consultant for the Cawthron Institute, and a Principal Investigator for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence).

Erana Riddell

Erana Riddell, Ngāi Tahu (Wairewa, Kaikōura) and Ngāti Porou, has been a member of the Environment Canterbury Youth Rōpū, a member of the Selwyn Youth Council and is an active member of the Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee since February 2020.

Erana, 23, is currently undertaking a law and arts double degree at the University of Canterbury. Erana is passionate about environmental management and opening governance and political spaces to intergenerational and indigenous voices. She spoke at the launch event for the It's time, Canterbury campaign on her experiences of witnessing climate change and her hopes for the future.