Ideas + Innovation + Action

Imagine – Mayors, Ministers, CEOs, creatives, entrepreneurs, future leaders from across the nation – and you. Be inspired. Be at the forefront of emerging trends. Build your network. Build your ideas and skills. Join the future!

Early bird tickets – on sale now until 1st July or until sold out >>

Watch the promo vid – see you at #FFTF18!

Why attend the Festival?

Festival for the Future has been called New Zealand's most inspiring event, and received world class reviews. You'll meet amazing people, navigate your way through an awesome line up of speakers and workshops, and walk away feeling inspired and ready to make a real difference for our future.

Who else attends?

There'll be CEOs, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. Top-tier businesses send their young professionals. Councils send young people from their communities. Schools and tertiary institutions send their students. This year there'll be a strong contingent from Government. You should be there!

Get tickets >>

Past Speakers

YOSEPH AYELE

CEO of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, convening entrepreneurs & investors to tackle global challenges.

Full Bio >>

LISA KING

CEO & Co-founder of Eat My Lunch, tackling child poverty through NZ's fastest growing social enterprise.

Full Bio >>

GUY RYAN

CEO of Inspiring Stories, Director of Festival for the Future, and Former Young New Zealander of the Year.

Full Bio >>

PRECIOUS CLARK

Director at Ngati Whatua Orakei Whai Rawa, and Board Member at The Centre for Social Impact.

Full Bio >>

JOSIAH TUALAMALI’I

Recipient of the Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Leadership Award, champion for Pacific Peoples.

Full Bio >>

FATUMATA BAH

Young leader for the Office of Ethnic Community, Award Recipient for Young Women in Public Affairs.

Full Bio >>

DANIEL FLYNN

CEO and Co-Founder of one of the world's best social enterprises Thankyou, tackling extreme poverty.

Full Bio >>

IRENE WAKEFIELD

Founder and CEO of PrePair NZ, building a movement to end abusive relationships and domestic violence.

Full Bio >>

SHAMUBEEL EAQUB

Author. Economist. Political and media commentator. Public speaker. Making economics easy.

Full Bio >>

MELISSA CLARK-REYNOLDS

Entrepreneur and futurist, ONZM, Kea World Class NZer and Company Director.

Full Bio >>

ANGELA LIM

Doctor and entrepreneur. On the Board of Inspiring Stories, and MYD's Youth Partnership Fund. Fighting for equality.

Full Bio >>

SAM JOHNSON

Co-founder of the Student Volunteer Army and WeVisit, former Young New Zealander of the Year.

Full Bio >>

SINA WENDT-MOORE

Chief Executive of Leadership New Zealand. Passionate about Pacific Peoples, diversity and inclusion.

Full Bio >>

MAX HARRIS

Author. Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. Passionate about the future of politics and democracy.

Full Bio >>

FRANCES VALINTINE

Entrepreneur and futurist. Founder of The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab, future of work and technology.

Full Bio >>

BOP, JODY & SARAH

Co-founders and Directors of CoLiberate. Building a movement for better mental health and wellbeing.

Full Bio >>

THOMAS MAHARAJ

From brain surgery to a life more meaningful and finding purpose. General Manager of Inspiring Stories.

Full Bio >>

ALEXIA HILBERTIDOU

Founder of GirlBoss NZ. Passionate about women in leadership and the future of work and technology.

Full Bio >>

Noa Woolloff

NZ's most famous teen dad, creating opportunities for teen parents through social enterprise.

Full Bio >>

LAURA O’CONNELL RAPIRA

Director of Campaigns at ActionStation. Champion for civic engagement.

Full Bio >>

JULIA WHAIPOOTI

Lawyer. Chair of JustSpeak. Advocating for a fairer and more inclusive criminal justice system in New Zealand.

Full Bio >>

SIMON CURRAN

CEO of Creative Agency, Shine. On the Board of Dilworth College. Passionate about education.

Full Bio >>

SIAN SIMPSON

Director of Community at the Kiwi Landing Pad, helping Kiwi companies enter the United States.

Full Bio >>

RAB HEATH

From the hood. Entrepreneur, adventurer and technologist. Learning how to build global companies.

Full Bio >>

APRIL MCLENNAN

CEO of Limitless, helping young Kiwis find purpose and make the most the 80,000 hours in our lifetime.

Full Bio >>

TOBY CARR

Teen entrepreneur and CEO of DeXTech, one of New Zealand's fastest growing tech companies.

Full Bio >>

HAYLEY YU

Former CEO of Social Innovation NZ, working in philanthropy and social technologies at Microsoft.

Full Bio >>

JOE NGAMETUANGARO

Future Leaders alumni and NZ Awards Local Hero Medalist. Champion for rangatahi in Opotiki.

Full Bio >>

STEVE GRAHAM

Entrepreneur. Futurist. Various leadership roles in the technology sector. Head of digital futures at KPMG NZ.

Full Bio >>

ABI SYMES

Radio show host and former Mayoral candidate for Palmerston North City Council.

Full Bio >>

See all past speakers

"I've never experienced an event quite like the Festival before - the atmosphere was incredible!"

Daniel Flynn
CEO & Co-founder of Thankyou

"It was surreal to be surrounded by so many passionate and like-minded people from across the country."

Rez Gardi
Young New Zealander of the Year