Mike Casey
Mike Casey is an entrepreneur and cherry orchardist from Central Otago who has electrified all the machines on his farm and demonstrated how the transition away from diesel can save farmers tens of thousands each year and significantly reduce emissions.
He is also the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a New Zealand charity dedicated to electrifying millions of fossil fuel machines across the motu as quickly as possible. Rewiring Aotearoa’s Electric Homes report proved New Zealand had reached the electrification tipping point, where electric appliances and vehicles were cheaper than their fossil fuel equivalents over their lifetime, even with upfront costs and finance built in.
The Electric Farms paper proved there are similar benefits for the rural sector if we can turn farms into power plants. It showed New Zealand’s farmers could reduce their operational costs by going electric and generating a lot of their own electricity through mid-scale solar and battery systems - and they can also make money by feeding electricity back into the grid at times of high demand.
“Whether in the home or on the farm, electrification is a real win-win. It’s not just the right environmental decision anymore, it’s the right economic decision. It’s a no-brainer. We just have to figure out how to make it easy.”
Sir Ian Taylor
Sir Ian Taylor’s journey is a remarkable reflection of New Zealand's technological and cultural evolution.
Raised in a small East Coast village on the North Island, Ian experienced the arrival of electricity at his home at age seven in 1957, followed by the telephone a few years later. Unbeknownst to him, just three years after these transformative developments, New Zealand welcomed its first computer—marking the beginning of a digital revolution he would become a significant part of.
Ian’s early years were marked by a diverse range of experiences. From working in the freezing works during school holidays to performing as a rock and roll singer through the vibrant 60s and 70s, he embraced the cultural and social shifts of the times. His life took another turn when he was called up for army service, eventually leading him to complete a law degree by 1980. Despite his legal education, Ian's career trajectory shifted dramatically as he ventured into television, witnessing and contributing to the industry’s leap from black-and-white film to the digital age.
In 1990, Ian founded Animation Research Ltd (ARL) in Dunedin. Starting with little more than a handshake agreement with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago, ARL made its mark by purchasing its first hard drive for $15,000—a 1GB behemoth by today’s standards. The technological milestones continued, with their computer for the 1992 America's Cup the size of a small fridge and costing half a million dollars. Today, the same capabilities fit in a mobile phone, illustrating ARL’s role in driving technological progress.
ARL has since become a global leader in innovative technology solutions, covering major sports events worldwide and branching into diverse ventures. They built an air traffic control simulator for Airways New Zealand, an F1 Race Car simulator for a leading team, and various online platforms for global mining companies and tech giants—all without prior experience in these fields. Ian credits his team’s open-mindedness and ‘can-do’ spirit, reflecting the ingenuity of New Zealand’s approach to problem-solving, as encapsulated in the quote from Lord Ernest Rutherford: “We didn’t have the money, so we had to think.”
In 2019, Ian launched the Land of Voyagers project, which he considers his most significant work. This initiative celebrates the Polynesian journey to Aotearoa, aiming to educate New Zealanders about the extraordinary voyages of their Polynesian ancestors.
Ian’s contributions have been widely recognized. Holding an LLB from the University of Otago, he was inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2010, he was named New Zealander of the Year by North & South magazine and received an Honorary Fellowship of the New Zealand Computer Society. The New Year Honours of 2012 saw him appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and he was awarded the Creative Sector accolade at the World Class New Zealander Awards. Acknowledged as Outstanding Māori Business Leader in 2013, Ian continued to gain recognition as New Zealand Innovator of the Year in 2019.
In 2021, Ian was knighted as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting, business, and community. Despite his accolades, Ian remains modest, claiming to possess no special skills and attributing his success to the fortunate timing of being in the right place with the right people. He humorously suggests that his location at the bottom of the world has kept scrutiny at bay, allowing his small but brilliant team to achieve remarkable feats.
Lance Burdett
Lance Burdett is a renowned expert in crisis negotiation, resilience, and mental health advocacy. Over a distinguished 13-year career as a crisis negotiator, he served as the National Advisor for the New Zealand Police Negotiation Teams.
He achieved international recognition by qualifying as a negotiator in three jurisdictions, including the FBI, and played pivotal roles in high-profile incidents such as the Napier Siege and the Paremoremo prison hostage crisis.
Lance’s enduring focus on suicide intervention and prevention remains at the heart of his expertise.
In 1999, Lance faced his own battle with depression, brought on by burnout. Determined to understand and overcome the pressures of modern life, he embarked on a journey of study and personal development. This transformative experience became the foundation of his work in helping others manage stress, pressure, and mental health challenges.
Lance has shared his insights through his bestselling books. His debut, Behind the Tape: Life on the Police Frontline, was prominently featured on TVNZ’s Sunday. His second book, Dark Side of the Brain, released in 2020, quickly achieved bestseller status, and in 2024, he published Anxiety is a Worry, further cementing his place as a leading voice on mental health and resilience.
With a Master of Arts degree, a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies, and a Diploma in Policing, Lance combines academic rigor with real-world experience. He is also pursuing a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning. Through his remarkable career, Lance has become a trusted authority on how to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and balance.