About

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Electrifying Conversations provides an opportunity for New Zealand's transportation thought-leaders including representatives from industry, government and education, to come together to share updates on transport innovation being developed both internationally and domestically, to discuss what is being done to build a sustainable transport strategy for New Zealand, and to come up with ways for the sector to better work together in order to help move New Zealand towards energy independence and emissions reduction.

Hosted by the Rutherford Research Institute and supported by the Strategic Science Investment Fund, the aim of the event is to create solutions, be inspired by, and connect the relevant parties to increase New Zealand’s ability to divest from fossil fuels and work towards carbon free transport solutions.

A number of technical workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions will be run in parallel. Workshop themes include:

1. New Zealand’s Transport Infrastructure
2. Youth, innovation and training 
3. The Role of Hydrogen
4. Electrified Boats
5. The Future of Air Travel

Confirmed speakers will be updated regularly and currently include; Dennis Whyte - leader in the field of fusion research, Professor of Engineering and Director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT, Professor Rod Badcock - Deputy Director of the Robinson Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington, Mana Newton, Andrew Hewitt - Head of Planning Design and Support at Air NZ, Rod Drury, and Parag Kshirsagar - Associate Director, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies Research Center.

This event will provide a unique networking opportunity for key players from the electrification, infrastructure, tourism, energy and innovation sectors, encouraging partnerships and future initiatives.