People
Patrons
Our patrons provide invaluable guidance and encouragement, and we are thankful for their ongoing support.

Roger Dennis
Consultant: Innovation, foresight, transformation

Sue Elliott
Chair of the Wellington Sculpture Trust and strategic communications adviser

Dr Bronwyn Hayward
Associate Professor and Head of Department, Political Science and International Relations, UC

Professor Mark Henaghan
Dean of the Faculty of Law at University of Otago

Dr Carwyn Jones
Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Ella Lawton
Otago Polytechnic Centre for Sustainable Practice

Trevor Moeke
Director, Strategic Adviser, Co Chair at Te Māngai Pāho (TMP)

Bill Moran
Previously worked for New Zealand Treasury

Dame Dr Claudia Orange
Head of Research, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Neville Peat
Writer and environmentalist

Jessica Prendergast
Foresight Consultant across a range of disciplines and industries, Europe and Asia-Pacific

Mike Reid
Principal Adviser at Local Government New Zealand

Dame Diane Robertson
Chair, The Data Futures Partnership Working Group

Conal Smith
Senior economist at the OECD

Dr J. Morgan Williams
Principal, FutureSteps

A special thank you to the following patrons for their significant contributions

The late Sir Paul Callaghan
Sir Paul’s Message Lives On
Read the Institute’s tribute

The late Jan Lee Martin

The late Kevin Simpkins
Kevin Simpkins – A great man
Read the Institute’s tribute

The late Hon Nikki Kaye
Hon Nikki Kaye – A powerhouse of energy and ideas
Read the Institute’s tribute

The late Lay Wee Ng
Lay Wee Ng – ‘Without fear or favour’
Read the Institute’s tribute
Thank you also to the following patrons who are no longer actively involved with the Institute’s work but fortunately remain friends of the Institute: Alison Nevill, Lionel Carter, Todd Krieble, James Palmer, Girol Karacaoglu, Elaina Lauaki-Vea, Michelle Pawson, and Lachlan Rule.
The team
The Institute employs graduates, academics and young professionals from a range of disciplines. The team currently consists of full-time and part-time staff, with backgrounds in history, commerce, psychology, politics, law and design. Our diverse interests and standpoints allow us to integrate different knowledge bases and disciplines in order to engage with the complex issues that are the focus of our research. We are particularly interested in gathering varying perspectives by creating meaningful connections with other groups interested in pursuing a vision for New Zealand.

Wendy McGuinness
Chief Executive
Download resume

Josie McGuinness
Senior Research Analyst

Paddy Shonakan
Senior Research Analyst

Arne Larsen
Senior Research Analyst

Molly Woods
Senior Research Analyst

Helena Palmer
Senior Research Analyst

Mani Mcdougall
Intermediate Research Analyst

Siena McGuinness
Intermediate Research Analyst

Greta Balfour
Research Analyst

Sophie Crozier
Research Analyst

Lauren Hynd
Head Designer

Lucy Roughan
Designer

Kennedy Dailey
Intern

Talia Maddock
Office Assistant

Harry (Black Pudding)
Office dog