Our people

Bioenergy Association is committed to reducing its own carbon footprint and to avoid travel related emissions undertakes most meetings by video conferencing.

Our Board

The Board represents the interests of all members and focuses on the Bioenergy Association governance. More information about the board and member’s voting rights can be found in the members area and the Constitution. The association's operational activities are developed and managed by its Interest Groups each of which has a Convener and Committee.

Grant Smith (Acting Chair)
Energy Strategy Advisor, Grant Smith Consulting Group
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Grant has a wealth of experience in the energy sector having worked in the electricity and the heat markets developing new projects from feasibility to commercial operation. He is now an independent consultant assisting clients secure the opportunities and benefits from use of bioenergy technologies. He is a Director of Ecogas.

Paul Bennett
Integrated Bioenergy Portfolio Leader, Scion & 
Chair IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme
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Paul has been working on bioenergy and biofuels for over 15 years.  Starting with the setting of of a liquid biofuels team at BP in the UK Since then he has worked in a variety of Bioenergy roles from business development through to Government Strategy.  In 2014 he took the role of Science Leader of the Clean Technology Group at Scion in Rotorua.  Amongst the key activities of this Group has been bioenergy, for the example the development of New Zealand’s Biofuels Roadmap.  During this time, Paul has been an active member of the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Group and has recently been elected Chair from 1 January 2021 for a 2 year period.  This raises our awareness of latest international developments on new technologies, bioenergy deployment, policy development and key sustainability issue.  New Zealand Position held;

  • 2021 - Chair, IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme
  • 2017- onwards - Vice-Chair, IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee
  • 2014- onwards - IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee member
  • 2017-onwards - Alternate Board Member of Bioresource Processing Alliance
  • 2017- onwards - Board Member of Bioenergy Association NZ
  • 2018- onwards - Board Member of National Energy Research Institute. NZ

Tina Frew
Head of Sustainability, Meridian Energy
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An established professional in the energy sector with a passion for realising a low carbon future.  Experienced in strategy, engineering, sustainability (biofuels experience), project management and supply chain operations.  Currently works for Meridian Energy as Head of Sustainability. Tertiary qualified in engineering and business, and completed NZ Institute of Directors Governance training. Motivated to ensure career choices align with personal values and provide the opportunity to turn innovative ideas into a reality.  Holds the personal view that there is large, untapped potential for bioenergy in NZ as we transition to a low carbon future, and would seek opportunity to influence this as a Bioenergy Association Board member.

Jonathan McKeown
Bulk Wood Fuels Business Development & Marketing Manager, Azwood Energy
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Jonathan McKeown is the business development manager for Azwood Energy, and has been involved in progressing some of New Zealand’s largest bio energy projects. Jonathan has a background in professional communication, marketing and technical writing. He is a member of the wood energy interest group and has served as a director on the board of the Bioenergy Association for two years.

Anthony Oosten
BE (Hon) Chemical & Process
Sustainable Energy Manager Global Operations Sustainability, Fonterra Co-operative Group
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Tony a Canterbury University Chemical and Process Engineering has 13 years experience in the international pulp and paper industry working across New Zealand, Malaysia and Canada, now currently 11 years working for Fonterra as Energy Manager.  

His areas of expertise are decarbonisation of process industries, energy efficiency, as well as a government regulation of energy supply and emissions trading.  

Tony currently sits on the Major Electricity Users Group and the Major Gas Users Group as well as a board member of the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand.

Interest Groups

The Interest Groups are the operational arm of the association and are responsible for - our work programmes; advocacy; developing and managing research projects; overseeing professional development and best practice guides; hosting workshop and conference, and ensuring that each topic area is achieving the opportunities out there.  The current conveners are:

Working groups

Professional Standards and Complaints Committee:  To avoid any conflicts of interest membership of the committee is established by the Board when the Committee is required to undertake an activity.

Administration team

Members list

See a list of our members.