The Youth Jam was host to a panel discussion session with experts from different walks of life and areas of expertise. This was a chance for the students to ask questions and get different perspectives on this issue of changing the climate on climate change.
As well as the panellists we also had video messages from key people that were not able to make it in person to Youth Jam but had a message for the students.
Prime Minister Rt Hon. Helen Clark
Leader of the Opposition John Key
Jeanette Fitzsimons - Co Leader Green Party
Anton Oliver - All Black
Rick Thorpe - Xtreme Waste
Stephen Tindall - The Tindall Foundation
The Panelists
Arron Wood - Director of Firestarter Pty Ltd (Panel Chair)
Arron Wood has spent most of his life growing up in the country on a billabong. A keen sportsman, Arron's family has strongly influenced his appreciation for the environment and education. Arron has worked in community education and the environment since beginning his career in the water industry. He was the 2001 Young Australian of the Year (National Environment Winner). Through his business, Firestarter, Arron has initiated and now runs 'kids teaching kids' conferences including the International River Health Conference.
Al Morrison - Chief Executive & Director General, Department of Conservation
Prior to joining DoC Alastair had a long career in journalism, in reporting, commentary and several management roles. From 1997 to 2002 he was Political Editor, Radio New Zealand and managed press gallery staff. He has worked for DoC since 2002 and was appointed to the Chief Executive and Director?General role in November 2006.
Heidi Mardon - Director, The Enviroschools Foundation
Heidi has helped to create, develop and grow the Enviroschools Programme from a Hamilton City initiative to a nation-wide programme involving 52 partner organisations and over 500 schools. As well as a passion for education, Heidi has an eco-architecture background and has been active in the field of urban sustainability and design for 15 years through a wide range of initiatives - from building design to environmental education, community art and now the development of her own sustainable house in Hamilton.
Justin Ford-Robertson - Scientist & Consultant
Justin runs his own business providing consultancy services to local, national and international organizations. He is a consultant with Catalyst R&D, which was the named the Trailblazer Small/Medium Business at the 2007 Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network Awards. Justin has almost 20 years experience working on environmental issues, particularly forestry and land use, climate change and bioenergy. He has been active in international research and policy development through involvement with organizations such as the International Energy Agency (Bioenergy Agreement) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Nandor Tanczos - List MP, The Green Party
Born in England to a Hungarian father and South African mother, and having lived in New Zealand on and off since he was seven years old, Nandor's varied cultural heritage runs deep. Part of a family which loved to debate politics, Nandor was constantly exposed to new ideas and encouraged to defend and challenge his own theories. After involvement in the British free festival movement until 1987, Nandor returned to New Zealand to study Sociology and Psychology. In 1999, he was elected to Parliament.
Wiremu Tawhai (Te Whanau-a-Apanui) - Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi
Wiremu brings years of experience to the panel and represents the kaumatua perspective. He's an actor, orator, teacher. Wiremu is kaumatua for NIWA and has worked with them on their Matauranga Maori, combining traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge to do with climate, weather and water. He currently teaches at
Te Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whakatane focusing on Taiao Maori, science and environmental studies from a Maori perspective. Wiremu has recently been working with Enviroschools on the Kete Taiao resource and has joined the board as Kaumatua.
Brittany Packer - Green Teen
The Mystery Panelist- It was even a mystery to Brittany - In the lead up to the Panel Session the Youth Jam team scouted for a student to be part of the panel as we are well aware that the expertise and knowledge about our environment and the passion to take action also sits with the youth. Brittany was chosen and with her impressive background with the Nelson Green Teens and their 'Plastic not so fantastic!' experience she did a great job of answering questions and contributing to the session!
