Portia McKenzie is Director, Regional Projects and the Project Lead for GeoShot NZ at Kānoa – the Regional Development & Investment Unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Portia brings over 15 years of experience across central and local government, with a focus on strategic economic development. Her work centres on unlocking regional potential through place-based partnerships, with a strong emphasis on Māori-Crown collaboration, infrastructure, and innovation. Before returning to New Zealand, Portia spent several years in the UK and Middle East, where she led the design and planning of new cities for populations exceeding 200,000. This international experience sharpened her systems thinking and deepened her understanding of large-scale infrastructure and sustainable urban development. Portia is known for her collaborative, future-focused approach to public investment and her commitment to long-term value creation.