Theme: Tapuwae - footprints in our sand

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).

Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka
Marina Road
Tutukaka
Whangarei, Northland, 0153
New Zealand

Don McKenzie

A 2017 recipient of the Minister’s National Award - for services to biosecurity - Don is a land-based conservation warrior whose work has been key to the success of community-led native bird restoration projects on the Tutukaka Coast. Qualified in science, biosecurity and conservation, Don started his career with the NZ Forest Service in the 1980s, worked with the Department of Conservation for over 20 years and for the last decade has worked in biosecurity with the Northland Regional Council.

Francis Valintine

Founder of The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab, Frances is a passionate educator and technologist committed to shifting education and business practice to respond to the future of work and industry. In the past five years her organisations have taught over 150,000 school students, 3,500 teachers and worked with 250 New Zealand organisations. Among her many accolades, Francis has been named in the ‘top 50 world tech ed’ and was appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2018. Francis sits on the boards of Callaghan Innovation, KEA, the NZ Artificial Intelligence Forum and US-based Talentnomics, committed to the empowerment of women in developing nations. "I did things the wrong way so many times, and that manifested itself in wanting to create The Mind Lab, where kids could fail but where they could really understand and learn from that experience."

Glenis Philip-Barbara

Ngāti Porou; a descendant of Maui, one of the 33rd generation of descendants still living in the Tairāwhiti region Trained in sociology at Massey University, Glenis has built a career in public service spanning education, community development, Māori language and child protection. Bi-lingual and bi-cultural, Glenis has a passion for the redistribution of surplus into communities and whānau who live in hardship. Through the He Rau Aroha group she has delivered kai and household goods with kindness to thousands. “My favourite place in the world boasts a population of five and a stunning seaside marae, where I’ve managed to retain dibs on the tea towel.”

Ingrid Visser

Ingrid is a cetacean (whale) biologist, world-renowned for her work with orca. She has researched, observed, photographed, surveyed, championed, lectured-on and rescued orca here in New Zealand and across our globe, from Antarctica to Alaska. To help promote research, as well as provide platforms for conservation, Ingrid has founded cetacean-orientated non-profit organisations at both national and international level. “I am passionate about protecting marine mammals, particularly orca - and about education for the public and inspiring them to make a difference themselves. The best thing that happened for me last year? I rescued a stranded orca and spent time free-swimming with them in the wild.”

Jade Kake

Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Hau me Te Parawhau), Te Whakatōhea, Te Arawa Jade is an architectural designer, housing advocate, and researcher. Jade works directly with Māori organisations and mana whenua groups to realise their aspirations for papakāinga housing and marae development, and to assist them to express their cultural values and narratives through the design of physical environments. In 2017 Jade joined a delegation of Māori architects and designers to present at the RAIC Indigenous Design Symposium in Ottawa, followed by a North American study tour hosted by indigenous architects and communities. “My happy place? Standing on our whenua out at Toetoe, looking out over Whangarei-Terenga-Paraoa and feeling connected to our tūpuna and thinking about the future we’re building.”

Kingi Snelgar

Ngā Puhi, Te Whakatohea, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāi Tahu A criminal defence lawyer and youth advocate based in South Auckland, Kingi has also worked at the office of the Crown Solicitor for Auckland, specialising in the prosecution of serious crime. Kingi recently completed a post-graduate degree in the United States and interned at the Oglala Sioux Tribal Court on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where he volunteered as a human rights observer at the Standing Rock Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota. "I am guided by aroha and manaaki in my role as a youth advocate and defence lawyer. I believe these values help keep be grounded and motivated despite often heavy and stressful times."

Renee Davies

Renee Davies works at 4Sight Consulting with Zoë Avery, collaborating on a very specialist area of expertise; the research, design and implementation of living roofs and other urban greening initiatives, approaches roofs and walls. Their work aims to integrate the beauty and function of built form and artistry with an understanding of the environment to enhance and create and enhance sustainable, healthy and connected places which are sustainable.

Rod Parkinson

Rod has had a 25 year career in commercial and institutional banking, working with all types and sizes of businesses. Raised in Whangarei - attending Kamo Primary, Kamo Intermediate and Kamo High - Rod obtained a Bachelor of Management Studies from Waikato University, with a double major in Economics and Marketing. Rod is a passionate local who is intent on employing his leadership skills to leave Northland a better place than when he arrived. “I am inspired by people who do selfless or courageous things without any thought of personal gain.”

Shireen Chua

A Malaysian-Chinese Kiwi educated in New Zealand, Shireen’s personal experience of moving regularly between the Asia and the West led her explore how culture can have an impact in working and personal relationships, and how it shapes our identity. Shireen founded Third Culture Solutions to provide solutions to organisations on how to grow their cultural intelligence capability - the ability to act effectively in culturally diverse environments - through training, coaching and consulting. “Each person that I meet and interact with inspires me - the lives that they live, some full of purpose and others yet to discover it.”

Waikamania Seve

Ngatiwai, Ngati Hine, Ngapuhi 13 year old Whangarei student Waikamania is attending Epsom Girls Grammar with the Inzone Education Foundation. Born and raised in Whangaruru, her whanau lives on the taha moana and harvests kaimoana. Waikamania channeled her passion for the moana into her ‘Kina He Taonga - Kina Barrens’ entry in the 2016 Central Northland Science Fair, where she won the best overall research award. Her project highlighted the impact kina barrens have on marine eco systems and harnessed traditional knowledge from her Maori and Samoan elders. Waikamania competes at national level in both waka ama and hip hop and enjoys spending time with her friends and whanau when home from school.

Zoë Avery

Zoë is a senior landscape and urban planning consultant. Zoë works with Renee Davies at 4Sight Consulting, collaborating on a very specialist area of expertise; the research, design and implementation of living roofs and other urban greening initiatives.approaches roofs and walls. Their work aims to integrate the beauty and function of built form and artistry with an understanding of the environment to enhance and create and enhance sustainable, healthy and connected places which are sustainable. “We are passionate about ensuring design enables and encourages the sensory connection between humans, nature and the built environment; a living urbanism approach.”

Zoë & Renee Avery & Davies

Zoë is a senior landscape and urban planning consultant. Renee is a landscape architect, ecologist, educationalist and illustrator. Together they work with 4Sight Consulting, collaborating on a very specialist area of expertise; the research, design and implementation of living roofs and other urban greening initiatives.approaches roofs and walls. Their work aims to integrate the beauty and function of built form and artistry with an understanding of the environment to enhance and create and enhance sustainable, healthy and connected places which are sustainable. “We are passionate about ensuring design enables and encourages the sensory connection between humans, nature and the built environment; a living urbanism approach.”