Preconference Speakers

Stephanie Dijkstra

Stephanie is a mātauranga practitioner specialising in environmental outcomes and integration with western science. She is particularly interested in how matāuranga can be incorporated into stormwater management, having cowritten Stormwater Management Plans for Christchurch City Council and provided cultural input into the development of stormwater treatment facilities. She is also a member of the Te Mana o te Wai Water NZ subgroup, informing industry on the integration and implementation of this key piece of legislation.

Janelle Eagleton

Janelle is an experienced policy practitioner who has been working on wastewater and stormwater policy since 2024. She has a diverse policy background spanning biosecurity, local government, health and digital portfolios. Janelle is from Ireland originally and holds a Masters in Law from Trinity College Dublin. Janelle now manages the Water Service Authority’s wastewater and stormwater policy team, which is led development of the recently enacted wastewater environmental performance standards. The team is in the early stages of work to develop the Authority’s stormwater work programme.

Isobel Oldfield

Isobel is an environmental scientist and policy professional. She started her career as an environmental consultant and then moved into Central Government Policy to work on the Essential Freshwater package. Isobel joined The Water Services Authority -Taumata Arowai in 2021 and previously managed the Wastewater and Stormwater Policy Team. She is now the Project Lead for the National Engineering Design Standards. Isobel is motivated by policy work that will determine the way New Zealand manages environmental challenges now and into the future.

Andrew Chin

Andrew Chin is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand with over 20 years’ experience in environmental and water infrastructure. As Head of Healthy Waters Strategic Initiatives at Auckland Council, he plays a key role in delivering long‑term water outcomes for Tāmaki Makaurau.

Janet Kidd

Janet Kidd is a water and environmental professional with over 25 years’ experience.  She currently manages Wai Ora strategic water programs at Auckland Council.  Her expertise spans policy, stormwater, wastewater, sustainability, and water-sensitive design.

Craig McIlroy

With over 35 years of experience in local government and the water sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, Craig McIlroy is a highly respected executive leader known for transforming water services to deliver outstanding economic, environmental, social and cultural outcomes.

Craig is the Head Coach of the Healthy Waters & Flood Resilience Team at Auckland Council. He is totally committed to a whole-of team approach that is outcome focused and supports the individual strengths of team members. Craig continues to drive innovation and collaboration across all aspects of the business and champions best-practice asset management. His leadership has been instrumental in initiatives such as the award-winning SafeSwim water quality tool, reflecting his commitment to equity, sustainability, and partnership with Iwi/Māori and communities.

Craig’s visionary approach continues to shape the future of water infrastructure, empowering the next generation of sector leaders and setting benchmarks for excellence in public service.