SESSION Abstract: The Accidental Nomad: Shifting Paradigms from Antarctica to Uganda
How does a life of exploration change about how we think about the world?
Warwick expected to spend his working life at home in New Zealand, managing the
nation’s forest estate. But restless after returning from a summer season in Antarctica, he set off - without much of a plan - on a very different path, one that would see him live and work in some 25 countries, many described as “least developed” or ”fragile states”. Over three decades, Warwick and his wife Helle raised a family while living and working in Scandinavia, Nepal, Eritrea, and Uganda, before settling back in Hawke’s Bay in 2012.
In this talk, he shares personal reflections on those years - stories of hope and challenge, resilience, human spirit, achievement, and hard knocks. He will focus on his time in Uganda, where innovation, opportunity, and insight combined to spark a paradigm shift in how communities emerging from protracted conflict can rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
What to Expect
- A life can take you in unexpected directions: Warwick’s story shows how stepping outside the expected path can lead to extraordinary experiences, new perspectives and opportunities to make a difference.
- Innovation and resilience can transform communities: Through his experiences in Uganda, Warwick explores how people and communities can rebuild, adapt and create new opportunities even after prolonged conflict and hardship.
Date: Wednesday 16th September
Time & format: The course will start at 10am, with a coffee and tea break followed by a lively facilitated discussion to answer all your curious questions. The course will finish at 12pm each week.
Location: We are delighted to be hosting at The Hygge Cafe at Clifton Bay
About the expert
Warwick Thomson
Warwick Thomson is a recently retired international development professional who spent most of his career working in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Originally trained as a forest manager and later educated at Oxford, he has taken on roles spanning policy development, programme management, finance, and advisory work, primarily in agriculture, food systems, and finance.
Warwick and his Danish-New Zealand wife Helle lived and raised their family in Nepal, Eritrea, and Uganda, working with a number of international development agencies and governments.
A committed internationalist, Warwick remains engaged in matters of social equity, sustainability, climate resilience, and community development. He brings a practical, systems-focused perspective informed by his own lived experience and the work of others.
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