Guest Speakers

Phil Mauger | Mayor of Ōtautahi Christchurch

Phil Mauger is a lifelong resident of Christchurch, serving on the Christchurch City Council since 2019.

He was elected Mayor in 2022. Prior to Council, he led a third-generation contracting company building subdivisions, roads, and drains across the city.

He also has a strong history of supporting community organisations. As Mayor, Phil is focused on making Christchurch the best place to live, work, invest and play in New Zealand.

Te Paea Paringatai | President-Elect IFLA

Te Paea Paringatai (Waikato, Ngāti Porou) is a senior library and information leader with experience across public and tertiary libraries, central and local government, and the wider cultural heritage sector. Her work spans strategy, governance, organisational leadership, and sector collaboration both nationally and internationally.

Te Paea is currently President-Elect of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and teaches in the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies. She also serves as Kaiwhakahau Strategy & Planning for Te Rōpū Whakahau. Within IFLA she has previously served as Chair of the Professional Council and Chair of the Indigenous Matters Section, contributing to global professional leadership, policy and the development of the international library field.

Her leadership brings together strategic thinking, community engagement, and a commitment to inclusive knowledge systems. Te Paea’s work focuses on strengthening libraries as trusted public institutions that support learning, connection, and opportunity for communities across Aotearoa and beyond.

International Panel - Libraries Across Nations:
Solidarity and Co-operation between Libraries

Te Paea Paringatai
President-Elect, International Federation of Library Associations and institutions (IFLA)

Jane Cowell
President, The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)

Lita Barrie
Chair of Canadian Federation of Library Associations/Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothéques (CFLA-FCAB) and former Chair of the Association's Climate Action Committee

Tiffany Rawlings
Chair Public Libraries New Zealand (PLNZ)

Jacqueline Snee | President, Te Rōpū Whakahau

Jacqueline Snee (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) is a respected museum and library leader in Aotearoa New Zealand, serving as Tumuaki of Te Rōpū Whakahau and a member of the newly formed IFLA Ethics Committee. She is committed to kaupapa Māori initiatives including supporting pathways for emerging Māori leaders, advocating for mātauranga Māori to be protected and accessible, and prioritising tangatawhenua partnership in the heritage sector. Te Anga Whakamua – The Pathway ForwardThis presentation reflects on the journey of Te Rōpū Whakahau, from its establishment to its role today and aspirations for the future, supporting Māori in the library and information sector. It highlights key milestones, collective leadership, and ongoing efforts to strengthen kaupapa Māori practice, advocacy, and professional development across the sector.

Maia Whiterod | Tūmuaki Teina, Te Rōpū Whakahau

Maia Whiterod (Ngāi Tahu Whānui, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Rārua) is Tūmuaki Teina of Te Rōpū Whakahau and is the Hub Lead at Ōtaki Library. Her work is grounded in kaupapa Māori, with a focus on strengthening connections between people, knowledge, culture, and advancing inclusive, community-centred practice. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, fostering pathways that elevate Māori voices and leadership across the sector.

Bariz Shah | Engineer, Community Builder, Author & Speaker

Bariz Shah is a New Zealand–based engineer, community builder, author, and speaker whose journey from prison at 18 to a life of purpose has inspired audiences across the country. After supporting his community through the tragedy of the March 15 attacks, he emerged as a national voice for resilience, faith, and social impact.

He serves as a Board Member and Executive Director of Asturlab in Christchurch, a community organisation committed to becoming the most spiritually uplifted, sustainable, and impactful community in the world. Alongside his community work, Bariz is an engineer with Brian Perry Civil, contributing to the delivery of Ashburton’s new bridge. He also advises the Department of Corrections, helping strengthen rehabilitation pathways for those inside the wire.

Bariz is the HarperCollins‑published author of Beyond Hope, the co‑director and co‑producer of the feature documentary Project Fiftyone, and a proud recipient of the Christchurch Civic Award.

Erica Rankin | Head of Libraries and Information, Christchurch City Libraries

In December 2025, Erica Rankin started as the Head of Libraries & Information, with overall responsibility for leading the planning and delivery of public library services for Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula. Erica brought 34 years of experience to the role, including a number of years as a Libraries Team Leader and later as a Community Libraries Manager, during which time her portfolio included: Te Kete Wānanga o Aranui, New Brighton, Parklands, Fendalton, Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale, Papanui, Redwood, and Shirley libraries, plus the FingerTip Library (Libraries Contact Centre) and the Network Library Assistant Team.

Erica took two years out from her Community Libraries Manager role in 2017-18 to be the Establishment Manager for the Tūranga build project. Her work involved liaising with the design and build teams, as well as overseeing and weaving together the various internal workstreams needed to get the building ready to become operational. We are now all able to enjoy the results of that wonderful and inclusive mahi on what is the largest public library in the South Island. Since opening Tūranga has won or been a finalist in a number of architectural and engineering awards.

In 2023, Erica served as President for the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa.

Rachel Esson | Te Pouhuaki National Librarian | Director of the National Library

Appointed Te Pouhuaki National Librarian in 2020, Rachel Esson is responsible for leading all National Library services in New Zealand. She also contributes to the leadership of the Information and Knowledge Services branch of the Department of Internal Affairs.

Previously Director Content Services of the National Library, Rachel is the first internal appointment to the role. Rachel is a professionally registered librarian who has held senior and strategic roles in academic and research libraries for many years. She has researched and published in the area of evaluation of library services.

Her previous roles have included Associate Chief Librarian Alexander Turnbull Library, Associate Director Library Academic Services at Victoria University, and Medical Librarian (University of Otago, Wellington). She is a fellow of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) and is actively involved with association governance.

Martha Hickson | The Librarians

Martha Hickson recently retired after 20 years as a high school librarian.

Her work has been featured in School Library Journal, Booklist, and CNN Online. Her defense of intellectual freedom has been recognised with awards from the NJ Association of School Librarians, the NJ Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians, and the National Council of Teachers of English. In 2022, the National Coalition Against Censorship presented Martha with the Judith Krug Outstanding Librarian Award.

The American Library Association awarded Martha with the Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity in recognition of her "energy and bravery in the face of ... persistent and ongoing hostility," while advocating for students' First Amendment right to read.

Aleisha Amohia | Technical Lead at Catalyst NZ

Aleisha Amohia (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hāua, Cambodia, India) is a Technical Lead at Catalyst IT.

She has worked with open source library and collections platforms since 2014. Her role has encompassed many responsibilities, from development to DevOps, as well as consulting, training, and presenting around Aotearoa and overseas.

Aleisha is passionate about open source software, data sovereignty, technology for good, and online safety, and regularly weaves these threads into her work. Aleisha is an advocate for gender justice and Indigenous rights, explored through kaupapa including Innovative Young Minds, Tūhura Tech, Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network, and Global Shapers Wellington.

Tiffany Rawlings, PLNZ Chair

Tiffany Rawlings is an experienced public library leader with over a decade of work across libraries in New Zealand and the United States.

She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas and is passionate about delivering inclusive, community-focused services. Her work spans strategic leadership, service innovation, and large-scale projects, including a $10 million library redevelopment.

Tiffany is Chair of Public Libraries New Zealand and leads the Brilliant Data Working Group, with a strong focus on strengthening the impact of libraries through data and collaboration.

PLNZ Regional Representatives

Glenn Davidson - Regional Representative | Far North
Dany Miller-Kareko - Regional Representative | Auckland
Julianne Wilkinson - Regional Representative | Waikato / Bay of Plenty
Nicola Saunders - Regional Representative | Central North Island
Siren Deluxe - Regional Representative | Wellington / Wairarapa & Chatham Islands
Luke Sole - Regional Representative | Upper South Island
Paula Mitchell - Regional Representative | Lower South Island