In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

wellington city gallery
Wellington, Wellington
New Zealand

Closing remarks

The organisers of TEDxWellingtonWomen

Duck Duck Bruce

Duck Duck Bruce is brand new musical comedy trio from Wellington NZ. The trio create feminist, acoustic parody versions of top ten hits, and then try really hard not to read the YouTube comments. The boundlessly embittered Genevieve Fowler is their head-writer. She is musically compensated for by the infamous Mongoose (Saran Goldie-Anderson) and poet laureate (title pending) Ben Fagan. They are friends brought together by a mutual loathing for pop music and all its insidious consequences. Find them online. Or at the bar later.

New Zealand School of Dance

The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading dance training institutions, preparing students for careers in professional dance performance. Established in 1967, and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017, the NZSD has an international reputation. It is known for producing versatile and employable dancers, skilled in classical ballet and contemporary dance. The School’s unique training develops qualities that meet the needs of the dance profession while extending the boundaries of the art form. The TEDxWellingtonWomen performance will be from second and third year students studying in contemporary dance. Within the course Composition is a vital part of what is required in the industry. Here they are able to experience and discover through movement the elements of rhythm and temporal awareness.

Opening Ceremony

Celia is in her second term as Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital city. Her career has included IT programming, consultancy and teaching; working in Europe, Africa and Australasia. On Council she has championed smart energy initiatives, active and public transport, community events, arts and economic growth in education, high-tech and creative sectors. Celia enjoys the free exchange of views which comes with the Capital’s high degree of civic involvement.

Taikoza

Taikoza is a Wellington based Taiko Drumming performance group, dedicated to keeping the sounds and spirit of Taiko alive. Taikoza was originally formed in Hiroshima in the mid 1980s and has been based in Wellington since 1991. The group is passionate about Taiko Drumming, with beautiful, strong bass tones, powerful group rhythms and dynamic choreography.

Elizabeth Connor

When Elizabeth Connor was fourteen she had a dream of starting a renaissance that would reunite science, spirituality and the arts and spread across the world reconciling conflicts. Now, almost twenty years later, her plan is roughly the same. She now directs The KinShip, a small Wellington-based consultancy, which uses storytelling and other creative tools to help scientists communicate and connect the wonder of science with the wider world. Her projects have included Magnificent Science Variety shows combining science with dance, theatre and music, training workshops, storytelling competitions for scientists, podcasts, publications and performances. Elizabeth has a Masters in Science Communication from Imperial College in London and an Honours degree in Physics and Maths from Victoria University of Wellington

Louisa Wall

Louisa Wall (Ngati Tuwharetoa me Waikato) has held a variety of roles across the public sector as a policy advisor and community advocate in the social policy and public policy areas. Louisa believes that people have the solutions to meeting their own needs and her responsibility is to ensure public resources are distributed and allocated in a manner that meets the needs and aspirations of all of our communities. Louisa submitted the revolutionary Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill to Parliament that changed New Zealand’s laws, allowing same-sex couples to marry. She is a full time politician for the Labour party. Louisa previously was a member of the Silver Ferns and Black Ferns, and was once named New Zealand Women’s Rugby Player of the Year. She is passionate about ensuring all kiwis live equally in dignity and rights.

Marianne Elliott

Marianne Elliott is a mouthy introvert who collects, treasures and tells tales. She’s a slow but relentless runner, a devotee of the cult of chocolate, and a dedicated student and teacher of courage. By day she rallies New Zealanders to fight for truth, justice and a kinder way at ActionStation. By night she is the official margarita tester and La Directora of La Boca Loca restaurant. Many years ago she wore a horse-hair wig called Ringo and appeared before the High Court of New Zealand as a corporate lawyer. Since then she has lived and worked as a human rights advocate in the Gaza Strip, East Timor and Afghanistan, where she tried to make peace between warring tribes and discovered stories were her secret weapon, and yoga was her medicine. Marianne is the author of ‘Zen Under Fire’ and the bearer of many unanswered questions.

Pip Desmond

As a university student in the early 1970s, Pip Desmond discovered feminism, socialism and racism. Fuelled by these ‘isms’, she spent three years living and working with a collective of young gang women in Wellington called Aroha Trust. The story of their collective, and the life stories of 11 of its members, are the subject of her book Trust: A True Story of Women and Gangs, published in 2009 and a New Zealand Post Book Awards winner the following year. Writing Trust ignited her passion for oral history. Recording and telling people’s stories gives voice to the voiceless, connects us in shared humanity, ‘breaks the cycle of silence and violence’, as one of the women in her book says. But it also raises ethical issues, especially, in her case, as a Pakeha writing about mainly Māori women.

Stu Robertson

Contemporary artist & humanitarian Stuart Robertson melds photography, digital media, film, symbolism and neon to create works that speak profoundly to the viewer causing us to confront our own preconceptions and gracefully recognise our similarities in the human condition. Robertson is creating a global conversation with a ripple effect. He draws on the phenomenal power of modern social networks and instant borderless communication that dissolves prejudice and makes humankind more connected than at any other time in history.