Our Team
Susan Sawbridge (Sooz) - Manager
Sooz joined NZ Major Events in 2017, following 10 years in different elements of the events sector, including tourism, international education and business events.
Susan is a founding member and current Chair of the International Association of Event Hosts.
Lisa Gibson - Senior Advisor
Lisa's role has a focus on the Major Events Fund, and she is Team Lead to the Major Events advisors.
Lisa has been with the Major Events team for over a decade, enjoying an evolution of roles over time and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders across a rapidly maturing events industry.
Drew Naika - Senior Advisor
Drew focusses on prospecting new events across sport, arts and culture, and he is the lead on our Creative and Cultural Events Incubator.
With over 20 years in the events industry, Drew has worked mainly in the tertiary education sector and for local government to deliver events of all types and sizes.
Roz Kennedy - Senior Advisor
Roz’s roles in the Major Events team are to provide all-of-government coordination, and to manage the Major Events Management Act (MEMA).
Roz joined the team in November 2020, coming from policy roles in both MBIE and HUD. Prior to government she spent many years in the private sector overseeing key account portfolios and facilitating stakeholder and supplier relationships at a senior level.
Hannah Keat - Special Projects Lead: America's Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
Hannah leads the Special Projects Team that looks after the Crown's interests and responsibilities in major and mega events that sit outside the Major Events Fund. These currently include the America's Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The Special Projects Team manages the Crown’s investments in infrastructure, the events, strategic relationships with key partners across Crown and Council, and all-of-government coordination for the event.
After starting out in the events sector as a project coordinator working on the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Hannah has held various roles in event delivery, business development, strategic analysis and programme management. Hannah has been with New Zealand Major Events in various roles since 2014.
Jackie Hay - Special Projects Senior Advisor: America's Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
Jackie initially joined the team to cover Hannah Keat while she was on parental leave. She is continuing in the Special Projects Team to lead the Crown’s work on the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Outcomes Framework and evaluation work. Jackie also continues to support the Crown's interests, responsibilities and relationships with key partners for the America's Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Jackie joined the Major Events team in 2020 after working on major events such as Tuia – Encounters 250 and Rugby World Cup 2011, with more than a decade working on festivals, events and audience engagement in the arts and cultural sector.
Rebecca Reed - Special Projects Advisor: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Rebecca manages the Crown’s investment in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
With over 15 years’ experience in the tourism and events industry in New Zealand and Scotland, this is Rebecca’s second stint in the Major Events team.
She brings with her a deep understanding of how government and major events can work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Véronique Basso - Advisor
Véronique oversees a portfolio of events, managing event investments over their full lifecycle. She works closely with stakeholders to deliver Major Events Fund strategic outcomes.
Prior to moving to New Zealand, Véronique has worked in Switzerland as an international labour law specialist at the International Labour Organisation and as a member of the human rights team at the French representation to the United Nations in Geneva.
Sophie Parker - Advisor
Sophie oversees a portfolio of events, managing event investments over their full lifecycle. She works closely with stakeholders to deliver Major Events Fund strategic outcomes.
Sophie is a recent addition to the Major Events team. She has a background in both government and the play, sport and active recreation sector, and has delivered regional and national community-based campaigns to New Zealanders.
Libby Crysell - Advisor (currently on secondment)
Libby oversees a portfolio of events, managing event investments over their full lifecycle. She works closely with stakeholders to deliver Major Events Fund strategic outcomes.
Libby joined the Major Events team in 2019, she has a background in both government and the arts and cultural sector, and has delivered national and international digital and event marketing campaigns.
Contact us
To get in touch with our friendly team, email us at majorevents@mbie.govt.nz