2025 The return of the State of the Nation's Environment Address with Simon Upton and 50 Years of Environmental Management Symposium

Simon Upton was sworn in as Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment for a five-year term on 16 October 2017 and as reappointed for a second term in 2022. Mr Upton is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and a Rhodes Scholar, with degrees in English literature, music and law from the University of Auckland, and an MLitt in political philosophy from Oxford University. He was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council in 1999. A Member of Parliament between 1981 and 2000, Mr Upton held a variety of ministerial portfolios including environment, research, biosecurity, health and state services between 1990 and 1999. After leaving Parliament, Mr Upton moved to Paris to chair the Round Table on Sustainable Development at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In 2005, he returned to New Zealand to pursue a number of private sector roles while continuing to chair the Round Table. He returned to the OECD as Environment Director in 2010 and led the OECD’s contribution to the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. He returned to take up the role of Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in 2017. As Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Upton provides the New Zealand House of Representatives with independent commentary on environmental legislation, policies and agencies. He has delivered major reports on biogenic greenhouse gas emissions and forestry offsets, the fate of chemical contaminants in the environment and the environmental impact of tourism amongst others. He has also reviewed the environmental reporting system, environmental research funding and the budget process, and delivered environmental expenditure estimates. He leads a multi-disciplinary team of analysts in Wellington. His office’s work programme and publications can be explored here.

Craig Pauling (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Irakehu, Waitaha) is a respected environmental leader and advocate for Indigenous knowledge in resource management and sustainability. With a background in environmental planning and Māori environmental management, Craig has worked across government, iwi, and community sectors to advance bicultural approaches to caring for land and water. He is passionate about weaving mātauranga Māori with contemporary science to create more resilient and connected communities.

Professor Bronwyn Hayward MNZM is a leading political scientist at the University of Canterbury whose research focuses on sustainability, youth, and climate change. She is a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and an internationally recognised voice on democratic resilience and just transitions. Bronwyn’s work explores how citizens, particularly young people, can shape fair and effective responses to climate and environmental challenges.

Penny Nelson is the Director-General of the Department of Conservation (DOC), leading efforts to protect and restore Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique biodiversity. With a background in environmental policy and leadership across government and industry, Penny has held senior roles in the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries. She is committed to fostering partnerships with iwi, communities, and businesses to achieve enduring conservation outcomes for people and nature.

Professor Hirini Matunga is Professor of Māori and Indigenous Planning at Lincoln University. A leading advocate for integrating Indigenous knowledge and values into planning and environmental management, his work focuses on Māori relationships with land, water, and place. He has contributed nationally and internationally to advancing Indigenous rights, bicultural planning, and sustainable development.

Ken Hughey is an Emeritus Professor of Environmental Management at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he served as Professor since 1995. His research spans freshwater ecology and management, the economics of conservation and endangered species, sustainable tourism, and the public perceptions of environmental issues. He also held a secondment as Chief Science Advisor at Department of Conservation (DOC), helping guide science‑based policy and departmental priorities for Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment.