Chris Gray

IOQ President

Chris Gray has over three decades of experience in the quarrying industry and has been an active member of the Institute of Quarrying (IOQ) throughout his career. Starting his career in the UK in 1988, he progressed from a laboratory technician role to various management positions, including General Manager roles in New Zealand and Australia. Chris has been involved with the IOQ, serving in multiple capacities, including Chairman of the Auckland Branch and Treasurer of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Branch. Chris assumed the role of IOQ NZ (Inc.) President in July 2024. In 2023, he became a shareholder in Tracks, a civil construction company in Whakatane, New Zealand.

Welcome by IOQ President Thursday 10 July, 8:00am Embracing Efficiency: GECCO Member Management System Thursday 10 July, 10:30am

Wayne Scott

AQA CEO

AQA’s Chief Executive is Wayne Scott who took on the role in October 2018. Wayne also jointly acts as CEO of MinEx, which oversees health and safety for mining/extractive industries.

Welcome by AQA CEO Thursday 10 July, 8:10am

Geoff Cooper

NZ Infrastructure Commission (Te Waihanga)

Geoff Cooper is the Chief Executive at Te Waihanga. He has a background in global policy having worked for the United States Federal Reserve, the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, and the United Nations. He is a former Chief Economist for both PwC and Auckland Council, where he worked on infrastructure, housing, regulation, and financial policy, including business case development for Auckland’s City Rail Link. At Te Waihanga, Geoff was previously the General Manager of Strategy where he had purview over research capabilities, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, and development of the New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy. He holds a Master of Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University.

National Infrastructure Plan Thursday 10 July, 9:30am Sponsored by Prime Fluid Management

Paul Hunt

WorkSafe NZ

Paul Hunt is the Chief Inspector Extractives in the High Hazards Unit based in Hamilton. Paul is a vastly experienced extractives executive. He was most recently Solid Energy’s North Island Operations General Manager, and he has held the roles of Mine Manager and General Manager at the Huntly East mine. Paul holds Senior Site Executive and First Class Coal Mine Manager qualifications, along with others covering incident management and analysis, risk management and occupational health and safety management.

HHU Address Thursday 10 July, 1:30pm

Andrew Mahan

Carsecroft Partnership

Andrew Mahan grew up in a general earthmoving family business starting in the quarry industry as an unpaid primary school student. Leaving school at 16 Andrew started operating cable operated machines, then at the age of 20 progressing to production machines mining in Western Australia From drilling and blasting 30 metre faces in a limestone quarry, to a crushing plant operator, assistant quarry manager, quarry manager and divisional quarry manager in an alluvial greywacke quarry has given him a wide experience of working with a mix of people in many different environments Andrew has been involved with the Institute of Quarrying as a member, past chairman of the Canterbury branch and past board member on the national executive.

Self Preservation from zero harm to 80 healthy years Thursday 10 July, 2:00pm

Dr James MacKechnie

Allied Concrete

James has worked in the concrete industry over the last 20 years as a concrete readymix engineer based in Christchurch, employed by Allied Concrete. He is involved in quality assurance of concrete as well as research and development for a range of projects across New Zealand. He is also an adjunct researcher at the University of Canterbury with research interests in concrete aggregates, durability and low carbon concrete.

The role of aggregate quality in concrete performance. Thursday 10 July, 3:00pm

Eric Souchon

Leach & Co Ltd

Eric is a chartered professional engineer with a background in civil engineering contracting, quarrying and solid waste management industries. Eric has a proven track record in governing privately owned companies and has also been strongly involved in governance of the quarrying industry. Eric is a Life Member of both the Aggregate and Quarrying Association and Institute of Quarrying New Zealand. He has a strong network within the quarrying and solid waste industries and is a keen proponent of vocational education and training as a Trustee of the Inspiring Future Foundation. Eric is a Chartered Member of Engineering NZ, a Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, as well as being a Mentor with Business Mentors New Zealand helping emerging businesses.

Panel Discussion: Industry Legends - what changes have they seen in the quarrying industry Thursday 10 July, 3:30pm

Murray Francis

RoadMetals Ltd

Murray has worked with Road Metals for over 55 years, more if you counted the years that he operated front-end loaders most school holidays from the age of 13. Murray has been the Managing Director of Road Metals for 33 years although generally still keeping his work boots on. He has strived to ensure that Road Metals is a great company to do business with. He enjoys the industry and their success is based around building strong relationships with their clients while having fun while they do so. He says it has been an absolute privilege to lead such a great team.

Panel Discussion: Industry Legends - what changes have they seen in the quarrying industry Thursday 10 July, 3:30pm

Robert Webster

Websters Hydrated Lime Co Ltd

Robert Webster is the Managing Director of Websters Hydrated Lime Co. Ltd., a prominent New Zealand company specializing in quarrying and lime manufacturing. Born and raised in Hawkes Bay, Robert is the son of Bruce Webster, who founded the company in 1946. Robert began his career with Websters in 1969, working in various roles before taking on leadership responsibilities in 1990. Throughout his tenure as Managing Director, he has successfully guided the company through many challenging times. Under his stewardship, Websters has flourished, maintaining a strong commitment to quality and innovation, while utilizing his keen business acumen to capitalize on emerging trends, keeping the company on a forward trajectory. At 74, he remains actively engaged with the operations of the business, offering sage advice to the next generation of quarrymen following in his footsteps.

Panel Discussion: Industry Legends - what changes have they seen in the quarrying industry Thursday 10 July, 3:30pm

Eoin Butcher

CDE Group

Eoin has spent over five years working across engineering and business development at CDE, combining technical expertise with a commercial focus. Starting in product development, he played a key role in designing efficiency-driven solutions and managing large-scale engineering projects, working closely with international suppliers and customers. His hands-on experience in design, testing, and optimisation gave him a strong foundation before moving into business development. In his current role, Eoin is focused on market growth, sales strategy, and client relationships, using his engineering background to bridge the gap between technical solutions and commercial needs.

Paving the path to sustainability – Water Management in Quarrying Friday 11 July, 8:00am

Kamil Puchalski

Pilbrow Surveying

Kamil Puchalski is an engineering surveyor with over 17 years of experience(NZ). He has worked with Pilbrow Surveying Limited (PSL), where he remains actively involved in engineering surveying. Since 2019, Kamil has also focused on digital innovation through co-founding VSP Tracker—designed to enhance productivity using telemetry and real-time data. At PSL, he has contributed to software and product development, including The Construction Exchange Hub (TCEH), a portal for managing and viewing engineering data, and Taputapu, an all-in-one device for mapping and visualization. His work merges engineering with digital tools to improve quarrying and civil operations.

Future-proofing Quarry Operations: Embracing digital transformation Friday 11 July, 8:30am

Clayton Hill

SLR Consulting

Clayton is a Technical Director and Technical Discipline Manager – Construction Materials and Services at SLR and has over 23 years of experience in the quarry industry in both the public and private sectors. Clayton’s knowledge and practical industry experience within the quarry industry both in operational and technical roles provides him with a unique set of skills to advise clients on a wide range of matters relating to the industry whilst providing a practical and commercial perspective to achieve the best possible outcome. He has been a member of the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) since 2003 and held the position of National President of the IQA between 2017 and 2019 including International President between 2018 and 2019. Clayton has a Master’s Degree in Public Health, Bachelor of Environmental Technology and holds a current Site Senior Executive Notice and Practising Certificate issued by the Queensland Board of Examiners.

20 Years – 20 Lessons Perspectives on Leadership Friday 11 July, 10:30am

Dr Paul Sutton

IOQ

Dr Paul Sutton brings over 45 years of extensive experience across a diverse range of industries to his role as a thought leader and educator. With a deep-seated expertise in leadership, Paul’s work emphasizes the pivotal role leadership plays in shaping and defining organizational success. Paul holds a Doctor of Professional Studies, showcasing his dedication to advancing professional practice through rigorous academic and practical inquiry. His academic prowess is further demonstrated in his position as a lecturer in Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses, where he imparts critical insights and knowledge to the next generation of business leaders. In addition to his academic roles, Paul is a sought-after consultant, known for his ability to help organizations navigate future trends. His consulting work focuses on foresight thinking and strategic planning, enabling organizations to anticipate and prepare for future challenges and opportunities.

ConCOVE - Fit for Future project update Friday 11 July, 11:00am

Bert Hart

Equip2

Bert Hart is the General Manager of Equip2, with a deep background in quarry optimization. Growing up in a family business alongside his father and four brothers, Bert has developed a strong passion for helping others succeed in their businesses and roles. With over 12 years of attending QuarryNZ conferences, Bert continues to be inspired by the industry's growth and potential. His expertise and enthusiasm drive his commitment to improving the efficiency and success of businesses within the quarrying sector.

Equip2 University – An industry knowledge bank Friday 11 July, 11:30am

Paul Thompson

Equip2

Paul Thompson brings a wealth of experience in the construction market, with broad expertise in machinery and operations. Known for his hard work and dedication, Paul is passionate about helping others advance and thrive in their businesses. With a strong focus on supporting growth and prosperity in the industry, Paul has earned a reputation for his practical knowledge and commitment to the success of those around him.

Equip2 University – An industry knowledge bank Friday 11 July, 11:30am

Geoff England

Boffa Miskell

Geoff is an experienced Resource Management Planner having worked in governmental, industrial, and consulting roles since 2006. He is accredited as a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute. He has significant experience working for and consulting to the quarry sector and other industry-based and primary sector clients. Between 2010 and 2015 Geoff was employed by Winstone Aggregates as the in-house Planner; during this time, he sat on the Aggregate Quarry Association Planning Committee. This experience has spanned across New Zealand working with many district and regional authorities and gives him a unique understanding of commercial drivers and the regulatory environment that the quarry sector operates within. Geoff’s experience includes Project Management and preparation of complex resource consent applications, site due diligence, plan change processes, submissions, providing evidence as an expert planning witness, and managing Environment Court processes. In addition to this, Geoff has managed community and Iwi engagement processes.

Panel Discussion: RM Reforms and what they mean to the Quarrying sector Friday 11 July, 2:15pm

Greg Severinsen

EDS

Greg provides the lead on EDS's resource management system reform work. He has practiced in resource management law at a major law firm, worked as a policy analyst at the Ministry for the Environment, and lectured at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. Greg has published, presented and taught on a range of resource management and environmental law topics at home and abroad.

Panel Discussion: RM Reforms and what they mean to the Quarrying sector Friday 11 July, 2:15pm

Steve Davis

MC

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