The Whiria Ngā Kaha Workplace Inclusion Aotearoa 2025 programme is coming together and we have an incredible lineup of speakers for the 2025 event. Here are just a few of the thought leaders who will join us in Auckland in April.
Nigel Latta
Clinical psychologist, broadcaster, and author Nigel Latta will be the keynote speaker on the first day of the conference. An authority on resilience, Nigel will discuss how inclusion practitioners can find the fortitude to continue advocating for this kaupapa in the current economic and political climate.
Dr Ellen Joan Ford
The champion of the #WorkSchoolHours movement, Ellen is terrifyingly ambitious about improving the working world for people and organisations. Drawing on her experience as a researcher, military veteran, international speaker, facilitator, consultant, author and parent, Ellen is passionate about helping organisations improve retention, productivity, engagement, wellbeing and profit by enhancing inclusive leadership capabilities and workplace culture. She will be part of the Evolving Work Models for Modern Teams panel discussion and is facilitating our post-conference workshop, How to Implement Flexible Working for Business Success.
Nathan Mahikai Riki
Nathan's expertise lies in fostering culturally empowering practices founded in te ao Māori. Through his work as Kaihautū (Director) of Riki Consultancy, he supports organisations to comprehensively integrate te Reo Māori and embed tikanga Māori into their everyday mahi. Nathan will present the Haumi e: Becoming effective allies for Māori session on day one and be part of the panel discussion on advancing Te Tiriti responsiveness in organisations.
Precious Clark
Precious is the Chief Executive of Maurea Consulting Ltd and a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board Member. She established Maurea in 2012 with the vision of Māori culture driving Aotearoa forward and, in 2016, established Te Kaaa, a highly acclaimed training programme that ignites organisations' Māori cultural competency. She will join Nathan Mahikai Riki for the day-one discussion on advancing Te Tiriti responsiveness in organisations.
Paul Spoonley
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley from Massey University is a sociologist specialising in social and demographic change, especially cultural diversity, and how these changes impact policy and public understanding. He is the author of 29 books and is Chair of Metropolis, the largest global network of immigration and diversity specialists. Paul's session, Preparing for Demographic Disruption, is on the morning of day two of the conference.
Lance Burdett
Lance Burdett spent 22 years in the NZ Police, 13 as a crisis negotiator. He trained with elite units of police, prisons, emergency services, the military, and the FBI in New Zealand, Australia, England, and the USA. Lance is the author of He is a published author three books – Behind The Tape, Dark Side of the Brain and, most recently, Anxiety is a Worry. At our The Art of Calm: Communicating in Polarised Spaces pre-conference workshop, Lance will cover how to de-escalate people in heightened states using verbal and non-verbal techniques and what to do in an emergency.
Dellwyn Stuart
As the CEO of YWCA, Dellwyn is passionate about contributing to a future for Aotearoa that is more equitable for all. She has a track record of developing and executing transformational strategies, successfully influencing decision-makers and stakeholders and finding solutions in complex, ambiguous environments. Dellwyn will present the session on workplace insights from young women and non-binary people on day two of the conference and will also be part of the From Insights to Equity panel discussion.
Alex Chadwick
Alex is the Deputy Chief Executive, Workforce, at the Public Service Commission. Before joining the Commission, Alex led Fonterra's Employment Relations advice function. She has governance experience, serving on several boards, including Diversity Works New Zealand, and has led and implemented employment relations and workforce strategies in both the public and private sectors. Alex will join Dellwyn Stuart on the From Insights to Equity panel discussion.
Earlybird registrations for Whiria Ngā Kaha Workplace Inclusion 2025 close on 28 February. Register now so you are not disappointed.
