| Robert (Bob) McKerrow International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Head of Delegation, Sri Lanka Bob describes himself as a wayfarer and his life has certainly been a journey of unique experiences with over 30 years in senior management positions in international humanitarian work, civil defence, conservation and climate change. Involved in no less than 15 earthquake relief-to-recovery operations including Tonga, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka, Bob most recently headed the tsunami recovery operation in Indonesia. As head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), Bob managed their largest operation in modern times, improving the lives of the tsunami-affected population of Indonesia. Continuing his international humanitarian work, Dunedin-born Bob is currently Head of Delegation for the IFRCS in Sri Lanka. With specialist skills in disaster response management, early recovery planning and implementation, disaster preparedness and capacity building, his focus in Sri Lanka includes dealing with internally displaced people. Over the years Bob has also been head of the IFRCS regional delegation for South Asia, Bangladesh, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, South Pacific region, Ethiopia, Vietnam and their headquarters in Geneva. Exploration and research have been a big part of Bob’s life, starting with his membership of the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme in 1970, followed by international polar expeditions. He has published three books and written numerous papers on conservation, climate change, outdoor education, leadership, disaster management and the causes of poverty. |
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| Peter FitzSimons Peter is a well respected columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald, and a television presenter on Fox Sports. He speaks four languages, has played rugby for Australia, co-hosted radio shows with Mike Carlton and Doug Mulray, interviewed famous people around the globe from George Bush to Diego Maradona and written eighteen best-selling books. He is the biographer of World Cup winning Wallaby captains, Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales, sportsmen Steve Waugh and Les Darcy and also former Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, WWII resistance fighter war heroine Nancy Wake and magazine Queen, Nene King. In 1984 he broke into the Wallabies under the coaching of Alan Jones, then lived in France and Italy playing rugby for the next five years whilst learning both languages as well as Spanish. Upon his return to Australia he again played for the Wallabies, under Bob Dwyer, going on to play seven tests. Kindly sponsored by  |
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| Sean Hughes Sean Hughes was appointed the Chief Executive Designate of the Financial Markets Authority in October 2010, and took up his position in January 2011. Prior to returning to New Zealand, Sean spent the past 20 years in senior executive regulatory and corporate roles in Australia, the UK and Hong Kong – most notably at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ANZ and National Australia Bank. Sean has an extensive background in litigation and investigations arising from large corporate collapses, as well as the implementation of regulatory reforms. Sean holds degrees from the University of Canterbury and Cambridge University. Kindly sponsored by  |
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| Hon Gerry Brownlee MP Prior to the 22nd of February 2011, when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch, Gerry Brownlee was Minister for Economic Development, Minister of Energy and Resources, Leader of the House and Associate Minister for the Rugby World Cup. Such is the scale of the rebuilding task that faces Canterbury, Gerry has temporarily relinquished those portfolios and taken on the delegation of Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery. Gerry was born and educated in Christchurch and has lived in the Ilam electorate all his life. After leaving St Bede’s College, Gerry began his career in the family timber business. He trained as a carpenter, gained several trade qualifications and operated his own business. In 1980 Gerry trained as a secondary school teacher and he taught until 1995. Following a long involvement in the National Party he won the constituency of Ilam in 1996, with a majority of 10,090. He has held the seat comfortably since. During his political career he has served as Junior Whip and Deputy Leader of the National Party. He is currently a senior Minister ranked third in the Cabinet. Gerry has always been involved in the local community and served on the Riccarton Bush Trust. He is a strong advocate for sport and cultural activity for all New Zealanders. |
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