So many incredible humans!
Literally hundreds of amazing people have spoken at the Festival since it began back in 2011. Below is a glimpse of some of the incredible speakers and panelists that have joined us on stage!
Featured Speakers
Sina is the Chief Executive of Leadership New Zealand. She is passionate about Pacific Peoples, diversity and inclusion.
Chloe is NZ’s youngest MP in over 40 years. She is the Spokesperson for Education, Tertiary Education and Youth for the Green Party.
Josiah is a recipient of the Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Leadership Award, and a champion for Pacific Peoples.
2018 Queen’s Young Leader Award Recipient. Founder and Co-director of GirlBoss NZ, and is challenging the status quo.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist, Andrew is the founder of Perpetual Guardian – NZ’s first business to introduce the 4-day working week.
Elected a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, Audette is pioneering new business models for social impact.
Daniel Flynn is the CEO and Co-Founder of one of the world's best social enterprises Thankyou, tackling extreme poverty.
2018 Queen’s Young Leader Award Recipient. Champion for improving wellbeing amongst rangatahi and Māori men.
New Zealand’s Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
Guled is passionate about advancing the social well-being and inclusion of New Zealand’s ethnic and former refugee communities.
Former Young New Zealander of the Year, Guy is the CEO and Founder of Inspiring Stories – the team behind Festival for the Future.
Mayor of Wellington City, which was voted the world’s most liveable city in 2018 and is on a mission to become a zero-carbon Capital.
CEO of LGNZ, working across NZ’s 78 local, regional and unitary councils, and acting as a voice into Central Government.
Head of Te Pūtahi-a-Toi, Massey University's School of Māori Knowledge. His work focuses on rangatahi-centered pathways.
World Class New Zealander, Rachel is the CEO of Kono – a Māori-owned food and beverage company exporting to over 25 countries.
Co-founder of the Student Volunteer Army and WeVisit. Sam is a former Young New Zealander of the Year.
Forbes 30 Under 30 and Co-founder of Crimson Education – a global education company reportedly valued at over $220M NZD.
Internationally award-winning writer and performer, Sonya is an Edmund Hillary Fellow, and the Founder of The Body Is Not An Apology.
In 2019 Sophie Handford led the first NZ School Strike 4 Climate, where 20,000 young people made their voices heard.
Stacey is a New Zealand television and radio host who is passionate about Te Ao Māori, indigenous language and culture.
TJ is a professional athlete representing NZ on the world stage for rugby, and is passionate about standing up for equality.
Vicky is CEO at Ministry for the Environment. She is a champion for inclusive growth, transparency and accountability in the state sector.
Lisa King is CEO & Co-founder of Eat My Lunch, tackling child poverty through NZ's fastest growing social enterprise.
CEO of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, convening entrepreneurs & investors to tackle global challenges.
Laura O’Connell Rapira is the Director of Campaigns at ActionStation. She is also a champion for civic engagement.
Frances Valintine is an entrepreneur and futurist. Founder of The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab, future of work and technology.
Empowering the next generation of Māori leaders through education and training to grow world-class organisations.
Vanisa is the President of the National Council of Women. She’s helping to lead the movement for a more Gender Equal New Zealand.