Check out our upcoming events!
20th August, 2025
9am – 4.30pm
Tauranga Club, Level 5, Devonport Towers
72 Devonport Road, Tauranga
Towards a Purposeful Economy is a forum for learning, dialogue and decisions for anyone interested in understanding the scope for change in businesses within the current economic model. If you feel like you could be doing something more for economic systems change, but you’re unsure what more looks like, this event is for you. A profitable business has agency and influence, allowing business leaders the chance to contribute to addressing the social and environmental challenges we collectively face. This one-day hui will use the lens provided by the Inner Development Goals as well as the resources of Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) Aotearoa and Future Fit to provide attendees a space to explore themselves and their business through a different lens. Attendees will also hear from thought leaders on climate resilience, regenerative economic models, social equity and the benefits of combining profit and purpose.
Economies are not predetermined by Nature, they are human systems intended to serve the wellbeing of all, with as little harm as possible. This event is designed to help your business achieve those outcomes.
Please register through Humanitix by clicking on the button below. Registrations close 5pm, 8th August. Registrations is $85.50 + GST. Lunch and refreshments are included. Cash bar is available on conclusion of the event.
This event is being held at Tauranga Club, on level 5. Access is via the elevator or stairs.
If you are a student, or the cost to attend is prohibitive, please contact Jo Wills directly at jo.wills@so.org.nz
This event has been made possible with Climate Action Funding from Tauranga City Council.
Programme for the day:
Speaker bios:
Gary is a Modern Slavery Specialist, Sustainability Consultant and Inner Development Goals Ambassador.
As a New Zealand Police Detective on approved leave, he relocated to Washington, D.C. as an international human rights investigator, working undercover in twelve countries to infiltrate criminal networks trafficking women and children into the commercial sex industry.
Gary then founded and directed a New Zealand anti-trafficking organization with a field office in Southeast Asia; rescuing victims, facilitating the prosecution of perpetrators and encouraging systemic transformation in the Asia Pacific region.
He successfully participated in the rescue of hundreds - but failed to rescue many thousands. The cumulative weight of this work eventually led to burnout, divorce and despair; an unraveling that compelled him to question and dismantle the narratives that had shaped his efforts.
One of the unforeseen benefits of this process was deeper insight into the root causes and systemic drivers that perpetuate exploitation and injustice, revelations that have shaped a more holistic approach to addressing the underlying forces that enable it.
For the last nine years Gary has led a growing movement in the private sector among businesses seeking to respond meaningfully and effectively to the massive social and environmental challenges that dwarf us all.
As New Zealand’s first certified Ambassador for the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) he is uniquely qualified to help leaders and teams transform, build social and emotional resilience and cultivate the inner qualities necessary to face today’s complex challenges.
He holds degrees in Psychology, Sociology and Economic Development, has completed an Inner MBA, and is a graduate of the Centre for Action and Contemplation.
Gareth Hughes, Director, Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) Aotearoa
As well as WEAll Aotearoa Director, Gareth is an author, political commentator and serves in governance roles. Gareth served as a Green Member of Parliament for a decade where he chaired the Social Service and Community Select Committee was the Green Party’s whip and strategist. Prior to Parliament he was a climate campaigner at Greenpeace.
Sally Hett, Knowledge and Engagement Lead, Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) Aotearoa
Sally has worked primarily in social policy research since university. She has led research activity at the McGuinness Institute, been an advisor to the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry, run GovTech initiatives at Creative HQ. Her previous role was working on Māori Data Sovereignty kaupapa at Nicholson Consulting.
Manu Caddie (Ngāti Pūkenga, Waitaha-ā-Hei, Ngāti Hauā)
Manu is a biotechnology entrepreneur, Indigenous rights advocate, and Adjunct Research Fellow at Te Kotahi Research Institute in the University of Waikato. After 25 years in Tairāwhiti involved in community development, environmental campaigns, local government and Māori-led biotech ventures like Hikurangi Bioactives and Rua Bioscience, he has returned to Tauranga working locally and globally on taonga-based innovation and regenerative economic models. Manu’s work spans research, regulation and commercialisation of Indigenous organisms, and he is helping develop new models that embed Māori authority, ecological protection, and benefit-sharing into emerging industries.
James Hughes, Technical Director - climate and resilience, Tonkin and Taylor
James has a 20-year career in the infrastructure and environmental sectors, and leads T+T’s climate change and resilience advisory practice.
James has worked in asset management and infrastructure planning, risk management and sustainability.
James recently led the ‘Built Environment’ domain of NZ’s first National Climate Change Risk Assessment, and was part of MfE’s Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group during 2018.
He and T+T’s growing climate change team are increasingly working with regional and district councils, infrastructure utilities and private companies to better understand climate risk, and advise on emissions reduction strategies. He has also been involved in a number of recent research projects - including Deep South Science Challenge research into the impacts of climate change on wastewater and stormwater systems.
Nik Gregg, Director, Sustainability Options
Nik co-founded Sustainability Options with his brother Phil over a decade ago when they decided to showcase what 'business for good' could operate like, and how it may just be the recipe for sustainably conscious business development; A for-profit organisation that is driven by purpose. Nik's corporate management background, experience as a national HPA (Home Performance Advisor) trainer, and a number of complementary accreditations in the housing performance space have positioned him as an expert in this sector. He is the talker and the dreamer of the Sustainability Options whānau, passionately and enthusiastically sharing what's happening in the space, how things are going, and what needs to happen next. Nik's mahi is rooted in the intention to share the Sustainability Options kaupapa and mahi with everyone who needs to know about it.
Kat McDonald – Sustainability Specialist, Proxima (Future Fit Business Benchmark)
Kat is a sustainability practitioner with 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors. Her expertise spans product sustainability, environmental impact assessments, sustainability communications, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. With a strong foundation in sustainability strategy and reporting, Kat helps businesses navigate complexity and integrate sustainability into decision-making.
As a consultant at Proxima, Kat partners with organisations to align purpose with impact, driving long-term value creation. Known for her ability to blend strategic insight with practical action, Kat empowers businesses to go beyond compliance and create meaningful, lasting change.
Jacinta Fitzgerald, CEO, Mindful Fashion
Jacinta is the Chief Executive of Mindful Fashion NZ where she leverages 20+ years of experience across brand, retail, supply chain and manufacturing to drive forward industry-wide sustainability outcomes. As a seasoned sustainability strategist, she is dedicated to advancing circular and regenerative practices and passionate about the power of collaboration to create positive impact. In addition to her role at Mindful Fashion, Jacinta leads MakeGood, a consultancy that works with pioneering organisations in New Zealand and worldwide, focusing on integrating circular and regenerative practices at the heart of their operations.
Jo Wills, Lead team, Sustainability Options
Jo has been involved in sustainability for close to 20 years, previously working for Sustainable Business Network as the Regional Manager for the Bay of Plenty where she quickly developed a reputation as a thought leader and mobiliser. Present day, Jo is a member of the lead team at Sustainability Options and has been with the organisation for 10 years. Her day to day mahi sees her delivering community workshops in a Marae one day and running corporate sustainability events the next. Jo is trained in The Natural Step, spent 10 years volunteering in a governance role with Trade Aid NZ and is the co-manager and one of the founding partners of Home Performance Advisor (HPA) training programme. She has a unique approach to knowledge sharing, combining science and compassion in a way that shifts hearts and minds towards understanding, accountability and action.
CONTACT US
Phone:
07 544 1882
Mobile:
022 156 1027
022 497 2529
Email:
20degrees@so.org.nz
Address:
59 Seventh Avenue, Tauranga
F.R.O.G.
Forever Reliant On Good
We operate by being forever reliant on good - doing mahi for the good of others and for the good of our environment. Along the way, hoping we inspire others to incorporate the FROG into their organisation too.