2026 Speaker Line Up

Take a look at some of our speakers scheduled for the 2026 conference. More added frequently!

Anna Crosbie

Investment Attraction
Nelson Tasman Regional Development Agency

Benje Patterson

Independent Economist
Benje Patterson People and Places

Brad Olsen

Principal Economist
Infometrics
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Brett Ellison

Investment Manager
Koau Capital Partners

Charlotte Brown

Director
ResOrgs

Christina Rogstad

Auckland Council
Economic Development Office, Auckland Council

Chris Sperring

Destination Development Manager
WellingtonNZ

Dr Colin Kennedy

Chief Growth Officer
Creative HQ

Craig Boodee

Visitor Destination Manager
Nelson Tasman Regional Development Agency
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Fiona Wilson

Chief Executive
Nelson Tasman Regional Development Agency

John Lavery

Head of Growth and Local Economic Development
Auckland Council

Marissa Brindley

Head of Investment
Auckland Council

Matt Lamb

Strategy and Investment Lead
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki

Mike Casey

CEO
Rewiring Aotearoa

Paul Cranch

Founder and Principal
Local Economic Impact Advisory

Peter Fullerton-Smith

CEO
Mountain Club

Sir Peter Beck

Founder & CEO
Rocket Lab
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Peter Harris

Economic Futures Manager
Queenstown Lakes District Council

Robert Brodnax

Technical Fellow, Policy and Strategic Advisory
Beca

Sam Stubbs

Co-Founder/Managing Director
Simplicity

Stacey Hitchcock

GM Investment/Deputy Chief Executive
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki

Steve Canny

GM Strategic Projects
Great South

Tristan Adams

Founder
Vistr
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Bobbi Brown

GM Regional Strategy
Great South
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Michelle Morss

CEO
Queenstown Lakes District Council
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Paulette Tamati-Elliffe

Ngai Tahu
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Terry Nicholls

Hokonui Rūnanga
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Paul Bull

Head of Engagement
EECA
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Anthony Longman

Head of Destination
Tourism Central Otago

Note: EDNZ reserve the right to remove or change speakers at its discretion.