14 Oct 2025
Technical Groups play a key role in engineering better lives for New Zealanders – and The Sustainability Society is no different. Made up of passionate sustainability practitioners, their mahi helps embed sustainability at the heart of engineering practice. Take a moment to get to know them and hear what they’re all about.
Vital statistics
Name: Sarah Shiella Skillen
Role: Manager
Group: The Sustainability Society
Group’s field or special interest area: Sustainable engineering, regenerative design, systems thinking, circularity
What value or experiences do members gain from being part of your engineering group?
The Sustainability Society (TSS) members gain a supportive, cross-disciplinary community where bold ideas are encouraged and systems thinking is celebrated. Through events like Green Thinks, our Member Voices articles and collaborative initiatives like student hackathons, members connect across sectors and generations to advance sustainable engineering practice in Aotearoa.
What is your Group Committee most proud of, and why?
We’re most proud of creating inclusive platforms where professionals and students can meaningfully engage in sustainability conversations. The Sustainaganza conference in 2023 brought together engineers, planners, academics and industry leaders to share ideas and collaborate on solutions through storytelling and connections.
The recent launch of our Emerging Professional and Student Sub-Committee and the success of our Future Forward Hackathon (in partnership with Tonkin + Taylor) are further milestones in building a culture of leadership, innovation and cross-generational dialogue.
How does your group work with Engineering New Zealand and other organisations to advance your field or interest area?
As a Technical Interest Group, The Sustainability Society works closely with Engineering New Zealand and our four organisational members: Tonkin + Taylor, Morphum, Awa Environmental and Mott MacDonald, as well as academic institutions to co-create events and engagement opportunities.
How does your group’s mahi contribute to the lives of Kiwis?
We hope our mahi helps embed sustainability into the heart of engineering practice that serve both people and planet. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, we aim to be at the forefront of decisions that affect the wellbeing of communities, built environment and ecosystems across Aotearoa. Our Member Voices initiative is one way we spotlight this mahi, by publishing opinion pieces written by our members. It’s a way to amplify diverse perspectives and share on-the-ground insights that inform and inspire.
What’s a common misconception about your field or interest area that your group would like to correct?
That sustainability is only relevant to environmental or civil engineers. In reality, every engineer – from software to structural, from water to transport, as well as architects and urban planners – can embed sustainable thinking into their decisions. It’s a mindset that adds long-term value, reduces risk and improves outcomes across the board.
What challenge do engineers in your group’s field or interest area need to solve right now?
The challenge is moving from intent to implementation, applying existing knowledge and tools to deliver scalable, regenerative solutions. That includes integrating circular economy principles, designing for climate resilience, and ensuring equitable outcomes, especially for Māori and under-represented communities.
What advice does your group have for the next generation of engineers in Aotearoa?
Ask courageous questions and never underestimate the power of small, values-led decisions. Engineering is more than technical problem-solving; it’s about shaping the systems that sustain life. Your voice and vision matter now more than ever.
If you’re a student passionate about sustainability, we invite you to join our student network. Membership is free for students.
About The Sustainability Society
The Sustainability Society (TSS) is a national network established to foster sustainability within the built environment. They have a complex systems approach to sustainability, recognising that human and natural systems are interconnected and interdependent. Formed in 2003, TSS is a technical group of Engineering New Zealand.
Our new Spotlight On series is designed to showcase Engineering New Zealand’s Groups and their place in Aotearoa New Zealand’s engineering landscape.
