Our People

Ingrid Taylor is a highly experienced property lawyer based in Christchurch, New Zealand. She previously led the law firm Taylor Shaw, where she developed a strong reputation for her expertise in all aspects of property law, particularly in commercial property transactions, residential subdivisions, and leasing.

She is also recognized as an expert in trust law, advising on trust structures, resettlements, and disputes. Recently, she joined Chapman Tripp as a Partner in their Property practice, bringing her extensive knowledge and experience to the firm.

Her clientele includes development companies, institutional property investors, trusts, and government entities. Beyond her legal practice, Ingrid has significant governance experience, having served on boards such as the Canterbury District Health Board, the University of Canterbury's Digital Screen Campus Establishment Board, the Youth Hub Trust Board, and Manchester Unity.

Additionally, she holds a trustee position with the St Margaret’s College Foundation

Ingrid Taylor - LinkedIn

Janine Morrell-Gunn, a previous UC Establishment Board member and a prominent figure in New Zealand's children's television landscape, holding a distinguished career as a producer. She dedicated seven years as the executive producer of TVNZ's Children's Unit, shaping the nation's youth programming. In the late 1990s, she co-founded Whitebait Productions, now Whitebait Media, with her husband Jason Gunn, establishing a leading production company.

Her entrepreneurial spirit was recognised in 2009 with the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from Women In Film and TV. Beyond her media accomplishments, Janine brings a unique blend of skills to governance, offering a valuable legal perspective on decision-making and strategic considerations. She is regarded as a trusted and reliable advisor, highly valued by board chairs.

Janine has earned the trust of mana whenua, reflecting her respect for and understanding of indigenous perspectives. Janine also possesses a robust knowledge of commercial agreements and structures, making her a well-rounded and effective contributor.

Janine Morrell-Gunn - LinkedIn

With a background heading corporate communications functions and leading large agency teams, Brian advises clients on a wide range of public affairs, brand and communications issues through his consultancy, Engage Group.

He has worked across a diversity of industries, organisations and countries. Brian was head of public affairs for New Zealand Rugby from 2004 until 2011 and for several of those years, he led communications for Rugby New Zealand 2011, the organiser of Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011. His work on the RWC 2011 Bid won the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand’s (PRINZ) Supreme Award in 2006. Prior to joining New Zealand Rugby Brian worked in Australia and Singapore in corporate communications and consultancy roles. He has also worked on projects in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Since 2012, he has worked extensively with the screen sector including as Head of Public Affairs for the Wētā companies (Wētā FX, Wētā Workshop, Park Road Post Production and Stone Street Studios) and as a facilitator/consultant on the development of the Aotearoa Screen Sector Strategy 2030

Brian was named a PRINZ Fellow and is a former Chair of PRINZ’s Northern Region. He is a trustee / board member of Film Otago Southland and chair of the Southland Party, held biennially at Parliament.

Brian Finn - LinkedIn

Michelle Walshe is a content specialist and film director with a passion for storytelling that spotlights impactful journeys. Her directorial work includes the 2025 Sundance award-winning documentary, "Prime Minister," and the record-breaking film "Chasing Great," chronicling Richie McCaw's retirement. She has collaborated with sporting icons such as Lydia Ko, Kevin Durant, and Venus Williams, and worked with Prince Harry on the sustainable travel initiative, Travalyst.

Driven by a deep belief in the power of grassroots sports, Michelle co-founded CoachMate, an Ed Tech company dedicated to empowering grassroots coaches and parents. CoachMate aims to enhance children's sporting experiences, fostering long-term participation and reaping the associated health and well-being benefits.

CoachMate partners with Sports Organisations to deliver accessible and effective coaching tools. The company was recognised with the 2023 Australia New Zealand Sport Tech Awards for 'Coaching and Sports Performance' and shortlisted for the 2024 Leaders in Sports Awards for 'Tech Breakthrough.'

Michelle Walshe - LinkedIn

Nikora Ngaropo is a highly accomplished figure in Aotearoa New Zealand's digital arts and educational spheres. His career is marked by significant contributions to the film industry, notably at Wētā Digital, where he played a key role in the visual effects of major productions like "Avatar," "The Hobbit" trilogy, and "Iron Man 3."

Transitioning from this successful film career, Ngaropo established NNMD (Nikora Ngaropo Motion & Design Ltd.), providing digital consultation and motion and design services. Demonstrating a strong commitment to education, he founded the Young Animators program and TORO Academy, initiatives aimed at empowering young people, particularly Māori, with essential digital skills.

Beyond his entrepreneurial and educational endeavours, Ngaropo is a dedicated advocate for Māori representation in the technology sector. His influence extends to governance spaces, including Te Ao Matihiko and the Digital Council for Aotearoa, where he actively contributes to shaping digital policy. Recognized as a leader in the Asia-Pacific region through his induction into the Asia 21 Young Leaders forum, Nikora Ngaropo is focused on ensuring that indigenous youth play a vital role in shaping the future of technology, especially within the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

Nikora Ngaropo - LinkedIn

With a career spanning over 40 years in the book industry, Juliet brings a wealth of experience cultivated through leadership roles as CEO in both independent ventures like The Wild Colonial Company and multinational giants such as Random House (New Zealand and Australasia) and Murdoch Books.

Her expertise encompasses all facets of trade publishing, from navigating the intricacies of international rights at major book fairs in London, New York, and Frankfurt, to mastering contractual and royalty management, further honed during her four-year tenure leading the Authors’ Society (ASA).

Juliet’s commitment to the industry extends beyond corporate leadership, demonstrated by  her advocacy work as President of Booksellers NZ, the Australian Publishers Association (APA), and the ASA, as well as five years chairing the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and serving as co-Vice Chair of the Australian Copyright Council.

Juliet Rogers - LinkedIn

Ahren Morris has built a multifaceted career in the film and television industry, demonstrating skills and achievements across various roles.

As Technical Director for Dreamscreen, his expertise in virtual production has been crucial. He has provided operational insights for the opening of Kōawa Studios in Christchurch and offers technical guidance to trainees in virtual production programs. His technical direction work for Dreamscreen is credited in the TV series The Clearing (2023), La Brea (2021-2023), and the TV mini-series Love Me (2021) where he was the "head technical director,”.

Beyond his technical role, Ahren has a strong background in Visual Effects and has also actively worked as a Producer, with credits on several short films including the award-winning Curve (2016). In addition to his work behind the camera, Ahren has on-screen experience as an Actor in Curve, Fires, and La Brea, and has an upcoming role in the TV mini-series Bernie Brown.

Ahren Morris's career showcases a broad range of skills and a consistent involvement in various aspects of film and television production, highlighting his adaptability and contributions to numerous projects.

Ahren Morris - LinkedIn

Catherine Warren is a Canadian leader with a dynamic career that bridges technology, media, and economic development. Her unique background, which combines expertise in climate physics and media innovation, has allowed her to make significant contributions across diverse sectors.

She has held leadership roles in publicly traded companies and non-profit organizations, including involvement with the United Nations World Summit Awards, where she advanced the Sustainable Development Goals. Notably, as CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission, she successfully attracted foreign direct investment, solidifying Vancouver's position as an industry and education hub, and more recently as CEO of Edmonton Unlimited, Alberta's innovation authority.

Her work has also fostered technological advancement, including her involvement with Canada's Centre for Digital Media, and she co-founded a broadcast tech company that achieved a substantial market capitalization on Nasdaq. Through FanTrust Entertainment Strategies, she provides media-tech consultancy, facilitating international deals and investment. Catherine is an Emmy Digital Awards judge and is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in science and technology.

Catherine Warren - LinkedIn

Martin Cudd serves as the General Manager of Innovation and Business Growth at ChristchurchNZ, the economic development agency dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity within Christchurch, New Zealand. In this pivotal role, Martin leads a dynamic team committed to positioning Christchurch as a vibrant centre for entrepreneurship, investment, and talent. His responsibilities encompass guiding businesses through the local investment ecosystem, offering strategic advice on funding avenues, and facilitating crucial connections within the community. Martin and his team actively support feasibility studies and provide letters of support to promising ventures.

Prior to joining ChristchurchNZ in October 2022, Martin cultivated a deep understanding of international trade and business development during his nine-year tenure at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). His experience with NZTE included a significant period in Christchurch followed by a role as the acting NZ Trade Commissioner in San Francisco, providing him with valuable insights into global markets and investment dynamics.

Martin’s professional journey is underpinned by a solid academic foundation, including an MBA from the University of Canterbury and a postgraduate degree in Environmental Science from Monash University. This blend of business acumen and scientific understanding informs his approach to innovation and sustainable growth.

Martin Cudd - LinkedIn

Rachel Raimist is a versatile American television director with experience in action, drama, comedy, and musicals.

Before transitioning to television directing, she was a tenured college professor. She holds a B.A. and M.F.A. in Directing from the UCLA School of Film and Television, as well as an M.A. in Women's Studies and a Ph.D. in Feminist Studies from the University of Minnesota.

Rachel’s television directing credits include episodes of Elsbeth, Bel-Air, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Up Here, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Queens, Fantasy Island, Diary of a Future President, The Big Leap, 4400, CSI: Las Vegas, Sex/Life, Roswell, New Mexico, Nancy Drew, The Republic of Sarah, Queen Sugar, and Greenleaf. She also directed and executive produced the pilot for the TV series Wild Life. Rachel is featured in the documentary Middletown, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Additionally, she directed the documentary Nobody Knows My Name. She co-edited Home Girls Make Some Noise!: Hip Hop Feminism Anthology and was a founding curator of B–Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hip-Hop.

Rachel is actively involved in the Directors Guild of America (DGA), where she was the first woman appointed as Co-Chair of The Special Projects Committee and was also appointed as Co-Chair of the Disability Committees. She was also elected as the Alt. Co-Chair of the Women's Steering Committee. She founded the annual "Women's Day at the DGA" and events highlighting diverse directors.

Rachel Raimist - LinkedIn

Kevin Watson is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Canterbury (UC). He earned his Doctor of Philosophy with research focusing on sociolinguistics, exploring the intricate relationship between society and language. He employs corpus analysis and experimental techniques to analyse language production, perception, and sound change. His scholarly contributions are reflected in publications focusing on regional accents, particularly those of North-West England and New Zealand, as well as the intricacies of English language acquisition.

His career at UC has been marked by significant contributions. He has held his professorship in linguistics, and assumed the role of Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts. In his role as Executive Dean, he has been very involved in promoting the value of the arts and humanities, and the skills that are gained from those study paths. He also has been very involved in the development of the Digital Screen program at UC. He still continues to teach linguistics courses, so that he can remain connected to the student body.

He is a member of esteemed professional organisations, including the British Association of Academic Phoneticians (BAAP), the International Association for Forensic Phonetics and Acoustics (IAFPA), the International Phonetic Association (IPA), the International Society for the Linguistics of English (ISLE), and the Linguistics Association of Great Britain (LAGB). Additionally, he plays a key role in fostering the university's relationship with Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the hapū holding manawhenua over the land.

Kevin Watson - LinkedIn

Sam has extensive experience in the global screen industry, including overseeing production investment, marketing, and distribution for award-winning US studios and independent productions. She launched one of the first US film streaming platforms for Lionsgate Studios and Tribeca Enterprises, led business development for Aardman Animations, and managed global distribution for Paramount's portfolio including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and MTV.

Through her expertise and networks, Sam established TORO Studios and Academy in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne, creating a practical ecosystem of world-class storytellers, collaborative partners, digital production innovation, and job-ready youth talent. She is currently executive producing a 2D adaptation of the graphic novel series Black Sand Beach.

In 2023, Sam was appointed Director of the University of Canterbury Digital Screen Programme to lead UC’s significant investment in an 11-hectare campus development, now called Kōawa Studios. Her influence will enable UC to support world-leading education and research, while providing attractive facilities and co-location arrangements with local and international industry partners.

Sam Witters - LinkedIn

Saurabh Sinha is an accomplished engineer and academic leader, currently serving as the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

His expertise spans mm-wave microelectronics, a critical area for the development of 5G and 6G telecommunications, alongside a strong foundation in engineering management. He has a substantial history within higher education, marked by extensive experience in research, innovation, and academic leadership.

Sinha earned his Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and is also a graduate of Wharton's Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Prior to his current role, he held significant positions at the University of Johannesburg and the University of Pretoria, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation, and executive dean positions.

He has a prolific publication record, contributing to numerous peer-reviewed journals, books, and international conference proceedings. Sinha has also held important leadership roles within the IEEE, including serving on its board of directors and as a Vice-President, and is a Fellow of the IEEE. He is a recipient of a prestigious U.S. Fulbright grant and is registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineering New Zealand | Te Ao Rangahau.

Saurabh Sinha - LinkedIn