The webinar series is intended to complement other NZAIA activities and provide greater opportunities for all impact assessment practitioners, members and non-members, to hear from others in the field, and from related fields.   
Let us know if you have suggestions for possible topics and/or speakers for future webinars.
"...one hour webinars with 20-25 mins for speaker or panel, then Q&A opportunities for ample audience participation..."
NZAIA 2026 Webinar Series

He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka: A choppy sea can be navigated

Navigating environmental, social, and cultural impact assessment during political and regulatory change
Next webinar:  Thursday 30 April, 12pm to 1pm (NZST)

The importance of being wrong, slow, and profoundly terrible at PR. Pathways to mining and energy transition in Aotearoa New Zealand

The debate on mining, energy transition and fast track consenting is hitting fever pitch, with predictable levels of heat and conflict. But there’s ground-level data suggesting that the fastest route to project development starts with admitting that you might be wrong, going slowly – and defunding the PR industrial complex while you’re at it.
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Sefton Darby 
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Registration
Registration is required for each webinar to receive the registration link which will be sent out in advance of the webinar. Registrations close 48 hours before the webinar.

Registration types:
  • NZAIA member: no charge (please note you must be a paid member for 2026 – renew here)
  • $20 for an ordinary non-member registration per webinar
  • Fee waiver – you can apply for a registration fee waiver as part of the registration form (it’s quick and easy!) if you are a student, work at an NGO (including SPREP), or are low-income e.g. retired, on parental leave, etc.
We are a non-profit organisation so our costs are low and focused on meeting the costs of the Zoom webinar platform, not to make a profit. We rely on your honesty to register correctly. Fee waivers are available for those that cannot afford our registration rate.
NZAIA Webinars are eligible for NZPI Category 1 CPD points.

Upcoming webinars

Social impact assessment for predator free projects 

Fireside chat with an experienced resource management commissioner

Planning and impact assessment

Dates and times will be announced closer to the time.

More topics to be announced.
About Sefton

Sefton is a Sydney-based freelance consultant who works across governments, businesses, communities and NGOs in some of the world's most complex situations.
He grew up on the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand but started his career in the UK government where he was closely involved in establishing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and negotiating with governments and multinationals across the Caucasus and Central Asia.
At the World Bank, Sefton led EITI negotiations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. He later established his own consultancy implementing natural resource governance programs across West Africa, Central Asia, and the Asia-Pacific.
After moving back to New Zealand, Sefton worked as External Affairs Manager at Newmont’s Waihi mine where he was responsible for all community engagement programs. He then became the National Manager of Minerals for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), where he led a team responsible for assessment of all exploration and mining permit applications.
Following a stint with KPMG Australia’s Social Impact and Human Rights Team, he became the Head of Advisory at Voconiq, a data science and community engagement start-up, leading projects including global project evaluations, community consultation for major renewable projects, and advising on community resettlement programs. He is the author of The Ground Between from BWB Books which explores tensions around resource extraction, social impact and climate change.
Become a member of NZAIA
Not already a member? Sign up now for the lost cost of $60 per year or $25 for low income (e.g. student, retired, parental leave). This will give you free access to the entire 2026 webinar series. Register (or renew) online today.