The Circle We Keep

In this episode of The Circle We Keep, Izzy sits down with Vicki Watson, Chief Executive of The Aotearoa Circle, to explore leadership, legacy, and the unique model that drives The Circle. From the power of asking the right questions to navigating complex systems-level challenges, Vicki highlights how leadership goes beyond positional titles and fostering collective action. She reflects on The Circle’s innovative public-private partnership model, the importance of tangible outcomes like the Sustainable Finance Roadmap, and working to restore natural capital in New Zealand. Throughout the conversation, Izzy and Vicki discuss the courage required to lean into discomfort, the critical role of trust and relationships, and the urgent need for leaders to take a long-term view on climate, nature and societal resilience. Step into the circle with Vicki Watson.

In this episode of The Circle We Keep, host Izzy Fenwick sits down with Simon Limmer, Chief Executive of Indevin Group, whose career has unfolded like a beautifully balanced meal across Aotearoa’s food and fibre sectors. Simon talks about what’s kept him at the table: the deep connection between place, product, and purpose. That same instinct led him to help drive a pioneering Bay of Plenty initiative that brings together farmers, businesses, iwi, local government, and communities to understand how environmental change could redefine the region’s economy and identity and the steps that need to be taken now to protect it. Simon shares why this kind of systems thinking is not only essential, but uniquely possible in Aotearoa, where trust, proximity, and a shared sense of identity help turn complex challenges into collective opportunity. Step into the circle with Simon Limmer Guest: Simon Limmer, Chief Executive, Indevin Group Host: Izzy Fenwick Produced by: The Aotearoa Circle Connect with The Aotearoa Circle: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Indevin Group: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Episode Transcript & Resources: Full Transcript ⁠Natural Capital Regional Resilience⁠ ⁠Agri-Adaptation Roadmap⁠  

In this episode of The Circle We Keep, series one host Izzy Fenwick is joined by Alana Lampitt, Partner, Chapman Tripp, to explore why nature means business - and why enabling nature investment is essential to safeguarding New Zealand’s competitive advantage.  Together, Izzy and Alana unpack the new Aotearoa Circle/Chapman Tripp report, ‘Investing in New Zealand’s Natural Assets: Regulatory Actions to Unlock Nature Finance’. The report uncovers the practical legal and regulatory barriers slowing or stopping nature-positive projects across the country.   From consenting hurdles to inconsistent policy settings and high project costs, they break down what’s holding Aotearoa back -and the six actions that could unlock investment at scale. Step into the circle with Alana Lampitt. Guest: Alana Lampitt, Partner, Chapman Tripp Host: Izzy Fenwick Produced by: The Aotearoa Circle Connect with The Aotearoa Circle: Website: ⁠theaotearoacircle.nz⁠ LinkedIn:⁠ The Aotearoa Circle⁠ Connect with Chapman Tripp: Website: ⁠https://chapmantripp.com/ ⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/chapman-tripp/ ⁠ Episode Transcript & Resources: Full Transcript ⁠All Chapman Tripp and Aotearoa Circle Legal Opinions ⁠ ⁠Protecting New Zealands’s Competitive Advantage ⁠ ⁠Investing in New Zealand’s Natural Assets: Regulatory Actions to Unlock Nature Finance⁠

In this episode of The Circle We Keep, series one host Izzy Fenwick sits down with Grant Webster, CEO of Tourism Holdings Limited (THL), to explore the future of tourism in Aotearoa.   After 20 years in the industry, Grant has seen the conversation shift from cave tours and conservation projects to big-picture questions about natural capital, climate risk, and what it means to protect the mauri of the places we, and others, love to visit.   From glow worms to global disclosures, Grant takes us inside the decisions shaping tourism’s next chapter and why investing in nature is no longer a cost, but a strategy for resilience.  Step into The Circle with Grant Webster.   Guest - Grant Webster, Chief Executive, THL Host - Izzy Fenwick Produced by - The Aotearoa Circle   Connect with The Aotearoa Circle: Website: www.theaotearoacircle.nz LinkedIn: The Aotearoa Circle Connect with THL: Website: https://www.thlonline.com/ LinkedIn: Tourism Holdings Limited Episode Transcript & Resources: Transcript Tourism Adaptation Roadmap Tourism Climate Change Scenarios

In this episode, host Izzy Fenwick sits down with Stew Hamilton, Chief Executive of Mercury, to discuss New Zealand’s energy future and its deep connection to our natural resources. Stew shares his perspective on how Mercury’s assets go beyond turbines and transmission lines - they include rivers, wind, geothermal fields, and the landscapes that power them.   Together, Izzy and Stew explore insights from The Aotearoa Circle’s Energy Climate Scenarios, highlighting how climate change and nature loss could challenge our energy systems, and why national support is essential to safeguard New Zealand’s energy backbone.   This conversation offers a fresh perspective on why energy is everyone’s business and how protecting nature is key to powering a sustainable economy. Step into The Circle with Stew Hamilton. Connect with The Aotearoa Circle: Website: theaotearoacircle.nz LinkedIn: The Aotearoa Circle Connect with Mercury: Website:  mercury.co.nz LinkedIn: Mercury NZ Episode resources: The Aotearoa Circle Energy Sector Climate Change Scenarios‍ Low Carbon Energy Roadmap

Izzy’s understanding of the link between a healthy environment and a healthy economy began with a conversation on Waiheke Island in 2016. Her dad, Sir Rob Fenwick, was explaining the findings of a government report on the state of New Zealand’s marine environment. The message was stark: our declining natural resources weren’t just an ecological concern - they posed a real threat to our economic prosperity. In this preview to the first episode, Izzy sits down with her mum, Lady Jennie Fenwick, to reflect on Sir Rob’s legacy - as an environmentalist, business leader, and co-founder of The Aotearoa Circle. Together, they explore how his belief in quiet collaboration, cross-sector leadership, and practical action continues to guide New Zealand’s response to climate and nature challenges today.

In this opening episode, host Izzy Fenwick is joined by James Palmer, Chief Executive and Secretary for the Environment, Ministry for the Environment. James is also co-chair of The Aotearoa Circle. Together Izzy and James explore how environmental reporting has shaped action in Aotearoa New Zealand and why making data accessible and meaningful to leaders is vital for protecting our natural, economic resources. They also unpack how far New Zealand has come in connecting environmental evidence with business and policy decisions, and what the Ministry’s latest environment report tells us about the state of nature today and why we need to strengthen our natural resilience for tomorrow. Step into the circle with James Palmer. ‍Episode Resources Our Environment 2025 Tō tātou taiao Connect with Ministry for the Environment Website: https://environment.govt.nz/ LinkedIn: Ministry for the Environment