Speakers
EGP Conference 2027
Meet the line-up
Get ready for fresh perspectives and conversations that spark new ideas at the EGP Conference.
Our speakers will share practical insights, bold thinking and real-world experience and solutions to get you thinking, talking and looking ahead.
Explore the speaker line-up below and get to know the people you’ll hear from.
Keynotes
We’re excited to welcome our keynote speakers to the first EGP Conference in 2027. Ross Roberts will explore how councils and engineering general practitioners can work better together through early engagement, clear communication and resolving consent and delivery challenges. Tony Biesek will focus on practical collaboration between designers, engineers and councils throughout residential projects, from planning to project close.
Closing keynote Richard Templer will discuss building and construction policy changes, including liability and research funding, alongside updated Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) rules and what these mean for general practitioners. Together, they’ll bring practical perspectives to our theme, ‘Residential Engineering – The Practical Frontline’.
Explore the speaker line-up below and get to know the people you’ll hear from.
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Richard Templer, PhD (Mech Eng) FEngNZ
Chief Executive of Te Ao Rangahau Engineering New Zealand
Richard has been the Chief Executive of Te Ao Rangahau Engineering New Zealand since November 2020. A senior executive for more than twenty years, he has worked for government, local government, and the meat & wool industry. Prior to that he researched meat automation at Industrial Research and medical products at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Richard grew up on a farm in the Waikato and has travelled with work and study. He is married with one adult son.
Technical guest speakers
What are the issues that we face in Residential Engineering look like in everyday and the practical solutions. Join Michelle Grant to explore EGP’s place in New Zealand’s engineering framework, Michael James for residential fire engineering insights, Martin Larisch for practical geotechnical solutions, and Matt Ensor for ways to use artificial intelligence in small businesses. Bring your questions and discover fresh approaches to the challenges you face every day.
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Bio Martin Larisch (CPEng, FEngNZ, MSc, PhD)
Independent Geotechnical & Civil Engineer
Martin Larisch is an Independent Geotechnical & Civil Engineer with almost 30 years of construction experience; he is a Fellow with Engineering New Zealand. Since 2023 he has operated his consultancy firm Larisch Consulting (based in Waikanae) as a sole-operator. His main area of expertise includes the design, design review and construction verification of retaining walls, piling, ground improvement, slope stability and temporary works for residential, commercial, infrastructure and energy projects. He has also worked as an independent expert and forensic engineer for defective retaining structures and piling works.
Martin started his career as a carpenter in 1994 in Germany before obtaining his Civil Engineering Degree in 2001. Since then, he worked for various specialist geotechnical contractors in Germany, Australia and New Zealand for two decades before working as a Geotechnical & Civil Engineering Consultant in 2018.
Over the past 15 years, Martin has been involved in the development of various best practice industry guidance documents, including the SESOC/ NZGS Piling Specifications (2022 & 2025), tremie concrete and temporary working platform guidance. Since 2019, Martin has worked with Engineering New Zealand and has delivered numerous training courses across New Zealand about the design and construction of piles, retaining walls and temporary works. He is currently working with Engineering New Zealand on the development of a practical guidance document for residential and light commercial retaining walls.
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Michael James (CPEng)
Managing Director and Principal Fire Engineer at Origin Fire
Michael James is Managing Director and Principal Fire Engineer at Origin Fire, with more than 30 years’ experience in consulting fire engineering. He holds a Master’s degree in Fire Engineering from the University of Canterbury and is a Chartered Professional Engineer and past President of the New Zealand chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
Michael specialises in applying first principles and engineering judgement to complex building challenges. His approach combines a clear understanding of fire safety objectives with practical consideration of construction, cost and the wider design intent. In recent years, he has led teams through challenging building remediation projects, addressing deficiencies in original design and construction. He also acts as an expert witness on defective fire rating and fire protection systems, bringing insight into how problems arise and what is needed to resolve them.
Michael values collaboration between engineers, architects, contractors and building owners. He believes the best outcomes come from understanding the underlying performance requirements and working together towards solutions that are technically sound and achievable on site. For the EGP conference, he brings an experienced, practical perspective on recognising residential fire safety issues, assessing their significance and developing proportionate, workable pathways to rectification.