A Conversation with Michelle Begbie, Waikato Regional Council
Rebecca Thomas, Editor of the ALGA e-Chronicle, caught up with Michelle Begbie from Waikato Regional Council at the WasteMINZ and ALGA Conference to chat about values alignment, AI, and conference highlights.
Firstly, I’d like to congratulate you for being awarded the 2026 WasteMINZ + ALGA Legend! How did that make you feel being recognized for all that you do for the sector?
Well, completely shocked to be honest! I think I blacked out for a bit there! It is a massive honour, but also slightly unsettling because I work alongside people who are also giving their all to the cause and doing a very good job of it too. I learn so much by being a part of these organisations; not only technical things but also skills like bringing together diverse groups and helping them converge on the elements they have in common.
How important it is that ALGA and WasteMINZ have come together?
I have always thought there is space for both ALGA and WasteMINZ in New Zealand. Brendan Love spoke to it at the dinner last night, WasteMINZ representing one side of the coin for waste and contaminated land, with ALGA bringing that strength of the technical nuts and bolts and the groundwater element. There is no duplication between the two organisations, they complement each other really well. So while there is absolutely space for both organisations in New Zealand, I think one conference a year to bring everyone together is critical…and twice as fun.
What did you make of the conversation around AI at the WasteMINZ & ALGA Conference Women’s breakfast?
I found the conversation really interesting, because there’s been rapid developments in New Zealand over the last couple of days in this space. At the Women in Industry Breakfast, we were speaking positively about AI and its ability to reduce the admin in our lives and help us be more effective. But then central government announced more public sector job cuts alongside a heavier focus on AI. So there’s a real balance of positive and negative feeling, particularly here in Wellington, where so many of our public sector jobs are.
As someone who works for a local government organisation, our use of AI is clearly constrained by guardrails. We can’t let anything from inside our organisation go outside, we can’t give AI access to customer contact details, and we are bound by the Privacy Act and the Local Government Official Information Act. So we will probably be one of the slower adopters, we really need to see its privacy and security tested before we embrace it fully. I love the quote by Sam Altman of Open AI: “AI won’t replace humans. But humans who use AI will replace those who don’t.” So I’m trying to drag my early millennial self into the world of AI!
Did you have a favourite session at the conference?
Not one particular session, but I really love the technical sessions. Not only do they help me learn about people I might not have met before, their expertise and their perspective, but they also teach me new things. The political panel is always valuable and I’ll never miss one, but I have a lot of mixed emotions going into those; frustrations, great moments, and sometimes some surprises. I guess I find them quite taxing, and that’s why I’m a technical person, not a political one!
How have you found the exhibition space?
The exhibitions are beautifully put together this year, very well presented. It’s just nice to wander around with a coffee and a muffin, make eye contact with somebody, and learn about a new business. The fact that it’s WasteMINZ and ALGA combined is wonderful, because we’re seeing Australian companies here too. Our countries really aren’t that different, we should be working together across that little patch of ocean.
Was there a standout moment from the conference for you?
Dr Mai Chen’s talk. She can be a polarising personality, and she delivered some hard truths and sharp realities, particularly for those of us who sit in our own little world thinking “I’m going to make a difference today.” It’s not so much about doing your best everyday, but being really strategic about how you do that. That’s why I’m so supportive of WasteMINZ and ALGA, they have that strategic vision that individuals don’t always have, and they can harness the collective and drive that vision long term. To the next election cycle, as Dr Chen said.
And finally, do you have a favourite costume at last night’s dinner?
James Mitchell from the Ministry for the Environment, without a doubt. The shaggy ghillie camo suit was a serious commitment in a room with that many people. It must have been very hot, but he committed to it all night. Well done, James!
Image provided by Michelle Begbie
About Michelle Begbie
Michelle Begbie is widely respected across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia for her leadership in contaminated land regulation and policy. As a senior regulatory practitioner, Michelle has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between regulators, practitioners, and researchers, helping the sector navigate complex technical and policy challenges with clarity and balance.
Michelle is nominated for her long-standing commitment to advancing good risk management practice. She has led cross-Tasman conversations on mandatory reporting, supported regulator-only forums for ALGA, and represented Aotearoa internationally through the Common Forum initiative connecting environmental regulators across Europe and Australia. Her willingness to share regulatory insight has strengthened trust and understanding between regulators and industry.
Through webinars, conference sessions, and working groups with WasteMINZ, ALGA, and the CEnvP Scheme, Michelle has influenced policy discussions and supported better decision-making across the sector. Her impact lies not only in technical expertise but in her ability to connect people, translate science into practice, and leave a lasting legacy of shared knowledge and collaboration.