Our Team
Kylie Hawker-Green - Manager
Kylie joined the New Zealand Major Events team in May 2022. Having previously led a regional economic development agency, worked in both the public and private sector in management, marketing and communications roles, owned a PR company and worked as an event manager for a diverse mix of large-scale events, Kylie holds a wealth of event sector, economic development and commercial acumen.
Alongside her role at MBIE, Kylie is the Chair of Northern District Cricket Association and has held a number of governance positions in a variety of sectors including professional sport, CCOs, arts and events, community organisations, private companies and large financial trusts.
Lisa Gibson - Principal 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 (New Zealand, Fiji) - Senior Advisor
Drew joined the team in 2019 and leads prospecting work to secure new major events across sport, arts and culture.
With over 20 years in the events industry, Drew initially worked in the tertiary education sector organising events, then moved to local government roles at Wellington City Council and the Wellington regional economic development agency. He has broad range of experience across event delivery, sponsorship and fund management, prospecting, sport leverage and legacy, arts and culture.
In 2022, Drew was appointed to the Board of the International Association of Event Hosts.
Michael Kelly - Senior Advisor
Michael joined the New Zealand Major Events team in June 2023, as Senior Advisor to Major Event Fund. Previously managing host city major event projects with regional governments /destinations both in New Zealand and Internationally, along with Event Director, Event Marketing, strategic development, and operational roles with a range of sports organisations and large-scale international events that have included Football World Cup and Formula 1.
Michael brings a wealth of event sector, sports marketing, and commercial acumen to the team, and is passionate about developing world class events for New Zealand.
Véronique (Vero) Basso - Senior Advisor
Vero’s roles in the Major Events team are to provide all-of-government coordination around the delivery of major events in the team’s portfolio, and to manage the Major Events Management Act 2007 (MEMA).
Vero joined the team in September 2021, initially managing event investments and working with stakeholders to deliver Major Events Fund strategic outcomes. Prior to moving to New Zealand, she 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.
Katie Ayers - Advisor
Katie oversees a portfolio of events, managing event investments over their full lifecycle. She works closely with stakeholders to deliver Major Events Fund strategic outcomes.
Katie is a recent addition to the Major Events team and has a background in government and regional engagement to deliver a regional workforce plan, in addition to experience in public relations and communications for a variety of industries and sectors.
Contact us
To get in touch with our friendly team, email Major Events