Billy Rine has joined Kiwis in Climate as our new head of advocacy.
It’s bittersweet for us to farewell our outgoing Advocacy Convenor, Nick Morrison, and to welcome Billy Rine into the role.
Nick has championed KiC’s advocacy work since he joined us as a convenor in 2023, and has been an invaluable contibutor to our kaupapa. We’re thrilled he’s staying on as a member of Kiwis in Climate, and look forward to seeing what he does next.
A message from Nick:
Coming up to four years in the role it’s now time for me to step down as a Kiwis in Climate convenor. I'm excited to hand off the reins to Billy who will bring some fresh energy and ideas, and I'm looking forward to having the time back.
The voluntary position has provided me with a huge sense of purpose, and I take great pride in what I have helped build.
A few key highlights include:
The Oil Blacks letter,
Developing a vision, mission and set of values
Navigating the change to a paid membership
Establishing convenor roles
Supporting Laura step into her coordinator role
Developing our advocacy process
Supporting development of our annual strategies
Being involved in at least 9 advocacy projects (that's how many I can count on the website), and of course,
The recent book launch and tour events!
While it has been a very difficult decision to make, I feel like it is a great time to pass over the advocacy reins. Following the book KiC is riding high and with it being an election year in Aotearoa there is much to do to make sure Kiwi voters put the climate and a circular economy at the front and centre of their decision making.
Although I am no longer a convenor, I will still be very much involved in KiC, contributing to the WhatsApp discussions and attending Auckland events.
Finally, I'd like to thank all the convenors, past and present, that I've had the immense pleasure of working with. So many incredibly smart, dedicated and generous people have given a huge amount of their time and energy into steering a wonderful group that feels like it is only just getting started.
Mā te wā.
You might know our new Advocacy Convenor, Billy, as the KiC regional lead for the United Kingdom. She's the friendly face at every London coffee catch up, rain or shine (mostly rain!).
Billy grew up in Taranaki and developed an interest in climate change at a young age, pursuing this by studying physical geography at Otago. She went on to work at parliament and spend a number of years in climate policy, including working on the reform of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
Following a move to London she worked in consulting, helping large companies understand their climate risks, followed by a stint at the energy regulator looking at the resilience of the UK’s energy system.
She sees climate change as just one symptom of a deeper problem: disconnection from the land and from each other, and is exploring a shift in her work to address this from different angles. She is energized by connecting people and ideas, and interested in how looking at the differences and similarities between the UK and Aotearoa NZ can help us creatively respond to climate change.
As a convenor for Kiwis in Climate, she is excited to connect New Zealanders working in climate overseas to home and to each other, and help create a space in which KICers’ enthusiasm and expertise can make positive change.
