CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Jack Weston
MBIE
SPEAKER BIO
Jack Weston is a policy advisor at the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, where he works in the Electricity Generation Infrastructure and Markets Policy team with a particular focus on reviewing the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003. Jack has been involved in key initiatives like the nationwide fibre rollout and improving rural connectivity as part of the Communications Policy team. Before moving into policy, he was a data analyst at the Banking Ombudsman. Jack graduated from the University of Otago and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Economics, along with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. Originally from Rotorua, Jack has a deep appreciation for New Zealand’s natural environment, and particularly enjoys spending time in the Whirinaki Forest and around the Rotorua lakes.
TALK TITLE
Dialogue on the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations
ABSTRACT
The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) will present an overview of the ongoing review of the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003. The regulations are intended to establish clear responsibilities for tree owners and electricity network operators to manage the risk of trees interfering with power lines, preventing outages, and reducing the risk of fires and other hazards. Changes in land use and weather patterns are increasing these risks and MBIE’s review aims to ensure that the regulations remain fit-for-purpose, effectively mitigating risks under a changing landscape. This presentation will outline MBIE's review process, key policy challenges and options to address these challenges, as well as highlighting the role of arborists.