KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
|
Conference MC
John McKenzie John is established as one of New Zealand's leading MCs, boasting a dynamic blend of corporate event expertise, entertainment finesse, and a rich background in media, spanning radio, television and print. With an extensive track record in marketing and communications, he brings a unique, enthusiastic perspective to every occasion.As a natural communicator, John has motivated, inspired and ‘enthused’ event audiences and communication and media clients throughout New Zealand and in Australia with a passionate, engaging and enthusiastic approach. John’s passion is motivating others. He gets a real buzz out of seeing others enjoy and challenge themselves, reaching and exceeding expectations. |
|
Keynote Speaker - Matty Lovell
In 2011 Matty found himself in the heart of the Christchurch earthquake. Safe from the initial shake he spent 8 hours working at the collapsed PGC building pulling survivors from the rubble. Later the same year an accident left him with two broken knee caps and a diagnosis that he’d never run again. A lot to deal with for anyone and the emotional stress took its toll on the 25 year old as he began battling depression and learning to walk again. From a wheelchair he conquered depression, travelled the world, started a business and ran a marathon. Along the way discovering things that became the framework for a life less ordinary. Matty shares a raw and uplifting story of how he overcame adversity and how he’s used the same framework to take on new challenges, in business and in life including a 3,000km journey across India in a Rickshaw, raising $85,000 for charity. With insightful takeaways relevant in both business and life, Matty shares a powerful message told from the heart that empowers the audience to take on challenges, conquer fear and start ticking off that bucket list. |
|
Keynote Speaker - Jill Atkinson
Meet Jill Atkinson, an accomplished and dynamic executive leader in the leadership development and coaching landscape. With a career spanning multiple decades across Aotearoa and beyond, Jill brings a passion for unlocking human potential combined with practical leadership experience. Jill firmly believes that today’s fast-paced, challenging world of leadership demands more of leaders than ever before. Courageous authenticity, self-reflection and the ability to truly connect with others is the “x-factor” that stand out leaders have. Jill’s blend of empathy and a willingness to challenge sees those she works with stretching beyond what they thought was possible. Jill is a certified Gallup Strengths coach. Central to her success in working with leadership teams and individual leaders is her ability to help them identify and amplify their unique blend of strengths. Recognising that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept, Jill successfully tailors her approach to meet the unique challenges of each client. This personal touch together with her contagious enthusiasm leaves those who engage with her energised and reaching for their potential. |
|
Keynote Speaker - Abbas Nazari
Abbas Nazari is a former Afghan refugee who fled the Taliban in 2001. Abbas was one of more than 400 asylum seekers who were rescued by the Norwegian container ship, the MV Tampa, in the Indian Ocean as they sought asylum in Australia in 2001. After being denied asylum in Australia and held offshore for weeks by Australian special forces, Abbas and his family were eventually resettled in New Zealand. Having arrived as an eight year old with no English, Abbas went on to place third in the New Zealand Spelling Bee a few years later, play representative rugby, and graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelors in Diplomacy and International Relations. In 2019 he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship where he has just completed a Master's at Georgetown University in Washington DC. While in the United States, Abbas wrote and published his family memoir, After The Tampa: From Afghanistan to New Zealand which has received critical acclaim and become a number 1 New Zealand bestseller. As a speaker, Abbas shares his journey, his experiences of thriving in a foreign country, and some lessons learned along the way. |
|
Keynote Speaker - Annah Stretton
Meet Annah, A serial social entrepreneur, artist and designer of 30 years in the making and now with her young daughter Sami working alongside her, succession for the Annah Stretton fashion brand is well and truly locked in. Annah’s love for social justice and change outcomes for Maori wāhine has been successfully advanced through her charity RAW, set up in 2014 where she works alongside her sister, a mental health clinician, supporting high and complex recidivist wāhine inside and outside the prisons. She is also the current chair of the Waikato Women’s Refuge Governance board, NZ’s largest Maori woman’s refuge. Her mantel showcases many national accolades and awards, that reflect her passionate business and social journey of 30 years. Her life is well covered in the 4 books she has co-written, the latest of these Grit before Grace is available from her website. |
|
Keynote Speaker - Takerei Norton, Ngāi Tahu
Takerei Norton (Ngāi Tahu) is the Manager of the Ngāi Tahu Archive. Established in 1978, making Ngāi Tahu knowledge available to Ngāi Tahu people is central to the work of the Ngāi Tahu Archive Team. Cultural Mapping Project, Ka Huru Manu Atlas Since 2005 Takerei has managed, the Ngāi Tahu Cultural Mapping Project, which focuses on recording Ngāi Tahu histories, traditions, and place names on the Ngāi Tahu Geographical Information System. This work culminated in the 2017 launch of Kā Huru Manu, the Ngāi Tahu digital atlas, which holds over 1000 traditional place names, original Māori land allocations and traditional travel routes in Te Waipounamu. He also co-edited a first volume of Ngāi Tahu biography, Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu in 2017. Both projects brought national recognition to the Ngāi Tahu Archive, and the decision of the New Zealand Geographic Board to recognise Kā Huru Manu as an authoritative publication is an international precedent. In 2019 Takerei managed the development of Kareao the online archive database that provides unprecedented access to the tribal archive. The Ngāi Tahu Archive is constantly striving to connect the archival collections with people via innovative outputs and exciting projects. |
