Special Keynote Speaker
Dr Paul Smith
Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)
Keynote Speaker
Rebecca Stanley
Manager, Auckland Botanic Gardens
Bec is the Manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens. Previously, she led a programme at Auckland Council supporting the transition to community and mana whenua-led (Māori) nature regeneration. Before that, she served as Curator at Auckland Botanic Gardens for nine years.
Trained as a plant ecologist specialising in native and threatened plants of Aotearoa, Bec primarily worked for the Department of Conservation, where she saw the opportunity to connect in situ and ex situ plant projects—building a collaborative relationship with the Gardens. In 2017, she led the signing of an agreement between the BGANZ network of gardens in New Zealand and the Department of Conservation, formalising this connection and fostering greater collaboration for threatened plant recovery.
Bec is committed to working in collaborative, multidisciplinary ways, bringing diverse communities and knowledge holders together. She believes our everyday relationship with nature is central to restoring biodiversity and addressing climate change. As a new gardens manager, she is eager to explore the evolving role of botanic gardens in contemporary Aotearoa, including their place within a Te Tiriti (Treaty of Waitangi) partnership. She is focused on ensuring the Gardens remain relevant and deeply connected with the community—an inspiring, engaged space for nature and people.
Keynote Speaker
Stephen Hopper
Professor of Biodiversity, The University of Western Australia
Currently Professor of Biodiversity at The University of Western Australia, Stephen D. Hopper AC has worked over 50 years as a conservation biologist and academic. He also led as Director Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden (1992-2004), and London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2006-2012). Today, Steve’s research focuses on sustainable living with biodiversity. He collaborates especially with Aboriginal Elders. He is author/coauthor of several books, including Eucalyptus, Soul of the Desert, Life on the Rocks and Kangaroo paws and Catspaws.
We acknowledge Australia's First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We respectfully acknowledge the role that First Nations people continue to play in shaping Australia's democracy. We also acknowledge the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the region in which The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is located.