Sam Thomas Email & Phone Number

Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand

DOC's Policy Unit is comprised of 7 teams working across the wide range of contemporary issues that stand to impact conservation and the delivery of our kaupapa - to ensure that Papatūānuku thrives.I am responsible for building high-functioning and effective teams across Marine, Resource Management, and Tourism and Economic Development policy. Our mahi covers marine policy and coastal management (including the delivery of new marine protection programmes), wider environment policy including freshwater reform, RMA reform, Māori rights and interests in natural resources, tourism and visitor management, regional economic development, trade in endangered species, public resource allocation, and more.

Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

I led a delivery-focused policy team to support the Government to achieve its strategic objectives across oceans policy. My team hosted the Oceans Secretariat, working closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide strategic advice to Ministers across oceans policy and coordinate the oceans and fisheries work programme. We led worked on new marine protection proposals, legislative reforms, and marine species protection work. We worked closely with MPI on fisheries policy and aquaculture development.

Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

I led the team responsible for delivering the Department's international functions. Short-term parental cover role, while the existing manager was on parental leave. The team promotes the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural heritage through international agreements and cooperation. The team also promotes delivery on international environmental commitments domestically and in the region.

Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

Castalia advises corporations and governments on strategy, organisation and management. A multi-disciplinary firm, Castalia has experts in finance, economics, law and engineering. We work on complex strategic assignments, such as restructuring of enterprises and industries, appraisal of investment propositions, and development of regulation for network industries. Castalia is independent from any industrial or banking firm.I was a manager that led teams of analysts in delivering projects to clients. I advised governments, international donor organisations, private businesses, and regulated entities on public policy, infrastructure strategy, infrastructure economic and financial appraisal, and regulation. I managed and contributed to projects across the New Zealand public sector, the electricity, water, dairy and transport sectors, and across the Pacific region.

Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

Senior Analyst in the National Infrastructure Unit (NIU). Provided strategic, economic, regulatory and policy advice to the Minister of Finance, primarily on transport infrastructure, but also asset management, productive water and social infrastructure. Co-author of the Government’s Thirty Year New Zealand Infrastructure Plan 2015.

London, United Kingdom

Held three policy advisor positions:* Environmental tax strategy: Management of Environmental Tax Strategy branch (2012-2013) with line management responsibilities, provided advice to Ministers primarily on potential new environmental taxes, waste taxes, and tax and spend policy.* Banking reform: Advised on the UK’s policy and negotiating position on the EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, negotiated with EU Member States on behalf of the UK, provided policy advice to Ministers.* Public service pensions reform: Advisor on the Hutton Public Services Pensions Review. Provided policy advice to Lord Hutton (leader of the review), analysis of third-country pension schemes, drafting chapters of the final report, and established initial Review budget. Review was accepted by government of the day and led to major public service pensions reform.

Master Of Philosophy - Mphil, Environmental Policy

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Environmental Science, First Class (1St)