Theme: Future

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).

Two/Fiftyseven
2/57 Willis Street
Wellington, Wellington, 6011
New Zealand

Bart Ellenbroek

Professor at Victoria University Wellington

Born in the Netherlands and having lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and Germany, Dr. Ellenbroek is a neuroscientist and Professor at Victoria University of Wellington. Fascinated by the brain and its flexibility, he has been working in behavioural neuroscience for over 35 years. His research primarily focuses on the development of mental health problems and how genes, adverse childhood experiences, and drugs shape both our brains and behaviours.

Ben Cain

Senior Security Consultant

Ben Cain is a Senior Security Consultant with two master's degrees - one in International Security and one in Information Technology. He can speak 5 languages!

Elspeth Tilley

Professor of Creative Communication

Dr. Elspeth Tilley is Professor of Creative Communication at Massey University in New Zealand. Recognised internationally as an expert in the power of art to transform the world, her research creatively and analytically explores art’s ability to build community, create dialogue, and shift culture. Dr. Tilley is also an award-winning playwright and a passionate researcher in artistic activism. Having first witnessed how art can change hearts and minds when she was a teenager, she now specialises in works that address environmental and social justice crises. Her plays have been published in the U.S., UK, Canada, and New Zealand, and performed worldwide.

Germán Molina

Co-founder, Wise House

Dr. Germán Molina is an engineer from Chile with a passion for energy systems and energy efficiency. Having a Master in Engineering Sciences and over 10 years of experience in the performance of buildings and housing under his belt, he initially wanted to understand why people do not seem to actively search for and purchase sustainable and comfortable homes as part of his PhD research. However, Dr. Molina's findings made him realise that professionals needed to change how we define “comfort”.

Julie Anne Genter

Member of Parliament

Julie Anne Genter is a Green Party MP, and uses a bike for most trips. She is a leading influencer in climate change, transport, health, finance, housing, and women for Aotearoa New Zealand. As a practitioner, researcher, and lawmaker in urban planning, Julie Anne has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that city design and decisions can have on people's lives. She knows we have an incredible opportunity to create ecologically sustainable, equitable, and thriving communities through good policy.

Laura Bruce

Co-founder at Chemistry Gin, MC, Comedian

Laura Bruce (www.laurabruce.com) is a Canadian stand-up comedian, speaker, and gin entrepreneur based in Melbourne.

Marion Lara Tan

Lecturer at Massey University

Dr. Marion Tan is a social scientist and lecturer at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University. She teaches and researches on the topics of emergency management with a technological and societal approach. She conducts research on technology adoption, crowdsourcing, citizen science, and public education. Her research contributes to enhancing resilience by understanding the intersection between human behaviour and technology during disasters. She's a member of various organisations such as the Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM) community and Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE – New Zealand Centre for Earthquake Resilience. She also leads CRISiSLab Challenges, an annual technology competition for high school students in Wellington.

Sally Potter

Hazard and Risk Management Researcher

Dr Sally Potter is a senior social scientist at GNS Science in New Zealand, and co-chair of the World Meteorological Organization's WWRP High Impact Weather project. She works with MetService and the World Meteorological Organization on the future of weather warnings. She conducts research on how people respond to forecasts and warnings for natural hazards, and applies the findings to help write forecasts and design early warning systems. She was involved in research and application for events such as the 2010 Canterbury earthquakes, 2012 Tongariro eruptions, 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption, 2022-23 Taupō volcanic unrest episode, and 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle.