Paul currently manages two business associations: the Central City Business Association and the New Brighton Business and Landowners Association. Post the February 2011 earthquake he was one of the key leaders in the Re:START initiative which was one of the first steps in bringing life back into the city sooner than would have otherwise been possible. Paul then stayed on to manage Re:START to international acclaim and local success. Paul has also been an elected City Councillor. Re:START gave Paul a passion for activation work in city spaces and showed him what could be achieved with a bit of effort. He has worked with LiVS during its early phase and believes LiVS has an important role to still to play in the rebirth of our beautiful city. Paul loves the creative side of life and has a passion for art and music. When time permits, he loves to play his guitar or get stuck into some good old renovation work around the house.

Hugh is currently a self-employed urban design contractor which sees him work on a variety of different projects across Canterbury. Hugh's most recent position was the Design Lead for the Residential Red Zone at Regenerate Christchurch. Hugh sees the Red Zone as offering an amazing opportunity to rethink how cities can work with nature and climate change. Hugh was also previously the principal urban designer at the Christchurch City Council after the earthquakes and played a leading role in the subsequent recovery planning including the hugely successful 'Share an Idea' public engagement campaign. He also supported the establishment of Christchurch’s programme of transitional projects, including LiVS. In his spare time Hugh loves skiing and tramping with his family, and creating artworks out of old road signs.

Kelly is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Canterbury, specialising in research and teaching in community development. She is a member of the international Community Economies Collective, a group of scholars and activists that research and act for forms of economy that are more socially just and environmentally friendly. Kelly writes and publishes in the area of community economies, feminist geography, development studies and more, doing fieldwork in China, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Kelly is originally from the Wairarapa, is married to Travis and has four children. Outside of work, she spends what time remains practicing yoga, Chinese and Te Reo Māori, maintaining an overgrown garden, singing in a church band, and reading Sci-Fi.

Bridget is an Associate at Kendons, Business Advisors and Chartered Accountants. Originally from Southland, Bridget and her family moved to Christchurch in 2008 and were just starting to get used to the “big city” before the earthquakes struck. Post-earthquakes, one of the Directors at Kendons became involved with Gap Filler and when the idea of LiVS was mooted, it was suggested that Bridget act as the Treasurer – so Bridget has been involved since the day LiVS began. Now a Trustee, Bridget values being involved with a Trust that provides an opportunity for start-up businesses to “give it a go” with very little cost and that encourages and helps to create life in the city. In her spare time Bridget can be found playing the cello with the Canterbury Philharmonia, standing on the side lines of a rugby or AFL field watching family play or walking Boris, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Gaby works as an interdisciplinary artist with a sometimes performative style. He uses human relations as medium for art, exhibiting nationally and internationally as well as being involved in a number of local initiatives, collaborations, and social interventions. Gaby also teaches Food Technology and Spanish.

Gary is a technologist and consultant with an interest in the arts. He previously served on the board of The Physics Room, a contemporary art gallery. He volunteers with New Zealand Business Mentors, and previously with Poetica, a project that placed poetry and art in public spaces. Gary is interested in how technologists can make better use of social, artistic, and historical perspectives. He is a contributing author to “Once in a Lifetime: City Building after Disaster in Christchurch.”