Our Speakers
We are proud of the excellence of the diverse and interesting guest speakers who address our monthly meetings. Not only do they provide opportunity for learning and discussion on a wide range of topics, but they keep us up to date with what is happening in our ever-changing city and world.
Join our Main Meeting
Forthcoming Speakers
We hope you can join us to hear from our guest speakers
August
Monday 10th August
Morne Mamlambo
“Fossil Adventures in Canterbury”
Morne Mamlambo is a New Zealand fossil hunter, science communicator, and content creator behind Mamlambo Fossils . Through a combination of field exploration, storytelling, and modern technology, he shares New Zealand’s remarkable fossil record with audiences around the world. His work focuses on making palaeontology accessible and engaging, inspiring people to connect with the natural history hidden beneath their feet.
September
Monday 14th September
Jaime Clark & Charlotte Turner
“Why New Zealand Roads Fail and How Smarter Investment Can Fix Them”
Lifting the lid on why our roads are facing so many challenges and what’s finally being done to turn things around. This presentation will break down the basics of how roads are built, why maintenance matters, and how a mix of heavy traffic, wild weather, and years of under-investment have contributed to today’s pothole frustrations. Most importantly, highlighting the positive changes now happening, including increased funding and a renewed focus on resurfacing and drainage, giving a picture of how our roads can become more resilient.
Past Speakers
July
Monday 13th July
Dr Rod Carr
“Canterbury – Colony or Independent State”
In the the global energy system is Canterbury a colony or an independent state? For the first time in over a century we get to choose. For our sake we should
choose wisely but will we?
June
Monday 9th June
Dr Jane McDonald
“From Nurse to Consultant Urologist”
Jane is a urologist at Christchurch Hospital, a Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Otago, Christchurch and a trustee of Canterbury Urology Research Trust.
May
Monday 11th May
Rhys Boswell
General Manager of Operations, Chch Int Airport
Rhys joined Christchurch Airport in 2000 and became part of the executive leadership team in 2009. He has held key roles, including GM Planning and Environment, GM Strategy and Sustainability, Project Director for the Central Otago Airport project.
April
Monday 13th April
Sir Gil Simpson
“Programming for Life”
Sir Gil Simpson is the founder of Jade Software Corporation. Widely recognised around the world for his achievements in business and information technology, he is perhaps best known for his development of the computer programming language LINC.
March
Monday 9th March
Cor Vink
“Insights into the Life of Spiders”
Associate Professor Cor Vink, Lincoln University, will share from his extensive knowledge of the diversity and biology of spiders.
February
Monday 9th February
Justin Roake
“A Glimpse of Something Deeply Hidden: Cruising the Aleutian Islands”
Those who heard Professor Justin Roake speak to us last year about his extensive and world-leading career as a vascular surgeon will be surprised by the title above. It is far less well known that Justin finds time to write travel books, which he illustrates with his own photography.