Guest Speakers
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, IFLA
Jane Cowell – President, ALIA
Lita Barrie, Chair of CFLA-FCAB and former Chair of the Association's Climate Action Committee
Tiffany Rawlings, Chair PLNZ
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.
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 recognized 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.
And 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
Join us for the PLNZ National Forum
All the details and information you will need can be found in the pages below
