Meet our Speakers

Stephen O'Driscoll graduated with a BA / LLB (Honours) from Otago University and has largely practiced in the area of criminal law for 20 years. He has had over 10 years’ involvement with legal aid administration and is currently the Chair of the Legal Services Agency Board. He is also a part-time lecturer in criminal procedure. He has been a contributing author or editor to a number of legal publications and is co-author of a 1998 Butterworths’ publication entitled Advising suspects at the police station. He was appointed a member of the Crown Panel in Dunedin in 1989, and served as President of the Otago District Law Society from 1998 to 1999.

He was Chair of both the Legal Services Board and Legal Services Agency before his appointment as a District Court Judge in 2003. Judge O'Driscoll is currently the Executive Judge for Christchurch District Country and has been since 2015. He was awarded a PhD and is one of only 2 currently sitting District Court Judges with a Doctorate.

Mr O’Driscoll has been actively involved in the racing industry and sports, particularly lawn bowls. He has held roles in several disciplinary, judicial or appeal bodies in both sports and racing.

Born and raised in Raetihi, the son of a farmer and a school teacher, Wiggy’s connection to the farming community is a long-standing one. 

His maternal grandparents were some of the first people to ever have sound systems in New Zealand, building their own and then crossing the country providing sound systems for both stage and A and P shows, rodeos, and numerous other events to which the young Wiggy was dragged around, beginning his love affair with a microphone.

It was while competing in a rodeo himself, that he was thrown the microphone by a judge and told to have a crack at commentating, which lead to 33 years (and counting) calling rodeos in three countries, and evolved into being a jet sprint commentator, and was the catalyst for a continuing career as an MC and a commentator.

His move to Canterbury came about after meeting his wife Annabelle in early the 2000s, and the sale of the family farm several years after the death of his father, as Wiggy wanted a smaller farm and the chance to pursue other opportunities and avenues, while still having enough land to fill the farmer fix.

This move lead to becoming the MC host of Young Farmer of the Year, taking over from Jim Hopkins, a role he filled for 6 years, spanning 6 grand finals and 42 regional finals. It was over this time that regular articles were published in the Farmers Weekly, under the Farmers Voice. 

This morphed into advocacy work for farmers affected by M. Bovis, developing the Farming Families Support charity, along with Bruce Taylor, which in turn developed into becoming a prominent voice for farmer health and well-being.

Wiggy, along with a local doctor, began on the ground farmer health checks; starting at the Coalgate sale yards and Waimate shearing show. This turned into a nationwide endeavor, checking farmers with their gumboots on.

Horse work has been a constant part of Wiggy’s life, and led to Ricky and Judy May asking him to become Clerk of the Course, initially for Methven, then for Harness Racing NZ a role all over Canterbury, which is now semi-full-time.

As well as all of this, Wiggy is married to Annabelle, father to Genevieve and Millie, runs Whatever with Wiggy, Lean on a Gate, AgriConnect, prominent voice for rural communities. 

Paula knows a thing or two about resilience, setting and achieving goals and has a keen sense of fun.

From a teenage solo mum to Deputy Prime Minister, hers is a story of determination and Westie grit. 

Paula’s parliamentary career has spanned 15 years, she has been a list MP and electorate MP for 12 years. After only one term in Parliament, she earnt herself a seat in Sir John Key’s Cabinet as the Minister of Social Development and Employment, Disabilities, and Youth Affairs.

She steered some major reforms through these challenging portfolios in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis, including the biggest welfare reforms that the country had seen.

Paula held a number of high profile portfolios during National’s time in Government including associate Finance, State Services, Social Housing, Police, Local Government and Tourism. In 2015, Paula became the Minister for Climate Change issues and signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and worked alongside our agriculture, forestry, and business sectors to plan true change in how we live our lives to better look after our planet.

In 2016, Paula was appointed Deputy Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister. In Opposition, Paula remained National’s Deputy Leader until 2020. Leading into the General Election, Paula announced her retirement from politics and would be taking her wealth of experience into the corporate world.

In her maiden speech in Parliament, Paula outlined many of the values she continues to fight for today, in particular, her desire to see New Zealanders succeed and thrive. She continues this work today in real-estate as Bayley’s Director Strategic Advisory.

Marianne’s extensive background in Marketing and Hospitality spans over 20 years to include working multiple Sydney Clubs, studying Marketing at University, and is the founder and CEO of Buzz Consultants, established in 2010.

As a leading Member Engagement Specialist in the club and hospitality industry in Australia, Marianne has a strong focus on developing strategic member engagement programs and driving digital marketing campaigns, to ensure that all members are segmented and rewarded for what they do in venue.

Marianne is passionate about delivering an integrated solution,  that combines membership and POS data with strategy and creativity, to communicate with customers and keep them coming back.

Jarrod specialises in class 4 gambling issues.  He has a national practice and currently acts for over three quarters of New Zealand’s gaming machine trusts and dozens of clubs.

Jarrod has argued many successful Gambling Commission appeals and is familiar with all the Commission’s prior decisions and High Court and Court of Appeal decisions on gambling-related matters.

Jarrod is able to advise on all matters regarding New Zealand’s gambling law compliance and is happy to assist with all dealings with the Department of Internal Affairs and local councils.

Jarrod is the author of the New Zealand Gambling Law Guide – www.gamblinglaw.co.nz