Theme: Paradigm Shift

The theme 'Paradigm Shift' explores an important change that occurs when the usual perspective/balance is disturbed and replaced with a different perspective. The audience can expect an afternoon of fascinating ideas and inspirational speakers which will spark interesting conversations, and inspiration within different fields of studies as well as offer an opportunity for new participants interested in the event. Please follow our EventBrite link to buy tickets for this event!

Our featured speakers are Albert Cho (@eatlitfood on Tiktok), Simran Kaur (from the award-winning podcast Girls That Invest) as well as David Seymour and Hamish Brewer. Lastly, massive thanks to our sponsors; Tedx, St Cuthbert's College, Sals Pizza, Xero, Crimson Youth Fund, Gong Cha and Spark Foundation.

TedxStCuthbertsCollege
St Cuthbert's College 122 Market Road Epsom
Auckland, Auckland, 1050
New Zealand

Albert Cho

Food writer based in Auckland, New Zealand

Albert Cho is a food writer based in Auckland, New Zealand. A former model, in 2018 he launched the Instagram account @eatlitfood which quickly exploded from a friends-only audience to international prominence with over 75K followers. Albert has delighted readers everywhere with his hilarious, bitingly honest reviews and mouth-watering food photos, his culinary tours of Japan, Korea and China under the ELF banner on YouTube and, more recently, his yummy home-cooked lockdown recipes. Albert’s voice is reminiscent of the best of those late, great food critics AA Gill, Jonathan Gold and Anthony Bourdain – that is, if any of them was more Korean, less straight and from Aotearoa. Yet like them, Albert has experienced his share of highs and lows in this life, including sexual abuse, drug addiction and disordered eating. Biting, pungent, salty and – yes – sweet, too, I Love My Stupid Life is his story.

Ash Bajaj

Student at St Cuthbert's College

As an NCEA level 2 student at St Cuthberts College and a boarding house prefect, most of my time is spent with school related extracurriculars and spending time with other boarders throughout their year groups. However, in my free time I enjoy building on my hobbies which include reading, playing piano, netball and doing MMA. One of my favourite school extracurriculars is Theatre-Sports, which teaches many valuable skills such as improvisational acting and public speaking skills.

Dana Broomhead

Student at Orewa College

Dana is a Year 13 student who is fascinated by things related to Humanities and Arts. She was born in Bahrain and lived in Oman before immigrating to New Zealand. At Orewa College, she is known for her name in competitive inter-school debating, her passion for performing arts, and for being one of the founding members of the school’s diversity group. In 2023, she was named Orewa College’s Community Prefect for her commitment towards establishing a positive and accepting community for all. Despite not being an established philosopher, Dana’s studies on the background of humanity — through the subjects of History, Classical Studies, and Social Studies — along with her experience as an adolescent have nurtured a curiosity about life and its meaning. Her research on this topic was what led her to write her Ted Talk: Is there any meaning to life? In this presentation, she delves into what makes humans human and questions if there is a true purpose for our existence on this planet.

David Seymour

Leader at ACT New Zealand

Trained as an electrical engineer, David built a successful career in researching, talking, and writing about economic and public policy concepts for media audiences, live audiences, and many more while working for Canadian private sector think tanks and in the New Zealand government. He published several dozen op-eds in major dailies, appeared on radio and TV numerous times, gave keynote addresses to large audiences, and published a book on public policy for Saskatchewan. Outside of work David has volunteered extensively in politics, as a rugby coach, and as a telephone counselor. He was a one-time child actor who portrayed 'the young Sir Edmund Hillary' for TVNZ, and has built a sports car from scratch. David is now the MP for Epsom and Leader of the ACT Party. Authorised by Danae Smith 27 Gillies Ave, Newmarket, Auckland 1023.

Hamish Brewer

AWARD WINNING... LEADER, EDUCATOR, PRINCIPAL, AUTHOR & INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

Hamish Brewer (aka the Tattooed Skateboarding Principal) grew up in a home disrupted by poverty, addiction, and family dysfunction. He understands the feelings of fear, lostness, and desperation that overwhelm too many children today—because that was his life. That experience is what drives him to work relentlessly to empower people living in the toughest areas to envision and create a better future for themselves. “RELENTLESS IS MORE THAN A MOTTO. IT’S A MISSION OF TOTAL PASSION AND PURPOSE. AND IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO WIN AT WORK AND AT LIFE.”

Kenisha Sarda

Current high school student at St Cuthbert’s College + writer

“Having sustained an affinity for literature and film as a young girl, I’m currently completing the IB Diploma Programme. Before relocating to New Zealand, I lived in countries such as Vietnam, Luxembourg, and India. These places have been the tesserae that have kept me grounded in my own culture while exposing me to a world much bigger than myself. At 11, I was inspired to write and publish a novel of my own. I hope to publish more novels as a more accomplished writer soon, but I am currently focusing on school. This passion for writing, in combination with my long-term experience as a debater, helped develop my interest in our generation’s modern media consumption as a social issue. I find it remarkable to view the ways in which social media has influenced our thinking. My current responsibilities include: being Head Librarian, an active member of our Communications Committee, and working as a student writer/editor for Margin, my school newspaper.”

Pranay Raj Bhalla

Future Lawyer + International Debater

Pranay Raj Bhalla is an internationally acclaimed speaker and debater who is known for his sharp wit, highly-researched socio-political commentary, and magnetic public speaking skills. His argumentation, and delivery, have been ranked highly by the likes of Yale and Harvard World Debates. He, also, holds national champion positions in acting and public speaking (India). He has won several national accolades for his time on stage in India, authored multiple academic papers and secured legality-based educational ventures abroad. His ideas on solving contemporary contentions are tastefully served with humour-laced facts making the recipe for an interesting conference. Join us to watch him express his views on modern-day morality & social justice on the TedX Platform. '𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒑𝒆 𝑽𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒎, 𝑬𝒏 𝑮𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆' is my motto and loyalty matters. I am highly interested in political affairs, social issues, educational stigmas, medicinal law, corporate law and the psychology of human beings

Seth Scott

Author, actor, and media producer, former Vice President of the New York City think tank A Clean Future, and host of the podcast Replace Remove Recover

I'm fascinated by the gap between popular knowledge and science, especially as science develops so much faster. I spend a great deal of time tying together disparate disciplines into novel understandings. My related passion project is the online series Forward Into Beauty. After my two horror novels were published, I produced and presented Creepy Country, though only one episode was released. With decades of business experience, acting work, and presenting written papers, I feel very comfortable on stage. I have spoken at international conferences and business groups (though none I had the presence of mind to film). Those engagements included conferences for the New York Society of Security Analysts, A Clean Future, the Port and Terminal Technology Conference, as well as several academic conferences.

Simran Kaur

Director @ Girls That Invest (#1 Podcast) | TEDx Speaker | Financial Columnist | Author | Marie Claire Future Shaper

As seen in Forbes, VOGUE, TEDx (USA), BBC, Daily Mail, ABC News (AUS), University of Oxford Women in Business, Soho House, Newshub, The Spinoff, Breakfast Show, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Metro UK, The AM Show, Radio New Zealand, Stuff NZ, Financial Markets Authority, UN Women, Today FM + more. Simran is a Stock Market Columnist, Keynote Speaker & Founder and co-host of the world's biggest stock market podcast 'Girls That Invest' - ranked the #1 Business Podcasts in the United States, Canada & New Zealand and #2 in the United Kingdom (Nov 2021). Girls That Invest has become a hallmark in the investing learning space & has helped tens of thousands of women & minorities navigate the world of investing. Girls That Invest now stands with a strong community of over 300k members. Simran also founded the international platform ‘The Indian Feminist’ - a 300k strong community featured on the BBC & followed by the likes of South Asian stars Mindy Kaling & Priyanka Chopra.

Victoria Wright

Current student at a New Zealand High school

I am a current year 13 student who has always enjoyed public speaking. I thoroughly enjoy verbally communicating with others as I believe it has the ability to have a lasting impact on its audience. Upon reflecting on my last year of secondary school I have been able to notice the incositntites that exist within the way we are teaching youth, especially around device use. As this is such a prevalent issue for my generation and for all future generations I am passionate about trying to find the most effective way at keeping everyone safe online. In my spare time, I enjoy being able to play in music groups, spending time outdoors tramping and diving, reading a good book, travelling, and listening to music.

Wesley Teh

Current student at Botany Downs Secondary College

Give me a fish and you feed me for a day; teach me to fish and I will start a fishing industry. I have always been passionate about mathematics, science, puzzles, and technology since a young age. I have participated in numerous mathematics and science competitions, winning several awards for my achievements. I have also honed my public speaking skills, which has helped me articulate my ideas clearly and persuasively. My love for adventure has led me to undertake challenges like tramping for the Duke of Edinburgh and Alpine climbs from Air Cadets. I find such experiences not only challenging but also rewarding as they push me beyond my comfort zone and help me grow as an individual. Apart from my academic pursuits, I am also passionate about music. I have been playing the piano and violin and regularly attend orchestra performances both in school and externally. I am determined to continue learning, exploring, and making a positive impact on the world around me.