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MEETINGS 2022 - Celebrity Speakers Showcase

With thanks to Celebrity Speakers, we are excited to welcome
a selection of incredible speakers to the stage at MEETINGS 2022.

Programme:

Wednesday 15 June - 12.30pm – 1.45pm

Jehan Casinader – Master of Ceremonies
Kieran Read
Ziena Jalil
Paula Bennett

Thursday 16 June – 12.30pm – 1.45pm

Miriama Kamo – Master of Ceremonies
Jazz Thornton
Sir Richard Hadlee
Abbas Nazari

Day One: Wednesday

Jehan Casinader

Award-winning journalist, Jehan Casinader, has worked in the fast-past world of primetime TV for more than a decade. Specialising in reporting on social issues, Jehan has interviewed Kiwis from all walks of life, including politicians, convicted killers, the leaders of Gloriavale, gold medal-winning athletes, and everyone in between.

Jehan is also the author of best-seller, This Is Not How It Ends and is a sought-after keynote speaker, offering his unique insights on mental health, leadership, and diversity.

Kieran Read

Former All Blacks Captain, Kieran Read, is the fourth-most-capped All Black in history and has captained the All Blacks 52 times across his 11-year career for New Zealand.

Kieran has received many accolades for his leadership and commitment in the field including being appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Rugby in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2020. Kieran was a key member of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winning teams, becoming one of only 20 players to have won multiple rugby world cups.

Ziena Jalil

With an international award-winning career ranging from diplomat to business leader to entrepreneur across New Zealand and Asia, Ziena Jalil draws on a rich experience of many worlds to bring equity and opportunity to those with diverse cultures, abilities and experiences.

Ziena assumed leadership roles from a remarkably young age, frequently the first in her demographic to be appointed to these positions. A staunch advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and a changemaker for business in Aotearoa, Ziena has helped some of New Zealand’s largest organisations to build their reputation, revenue and support the growth of Maori and Pacific young people in professional careers.

Paula Bennett

Charisma, grit, strength, and resilience describe Paula Bennett, who held a remarkable parliamentary career which spanned 15 years and included the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of the National Party.

After her departure from politics in 2020, Paula’s wealth of knowledge and experience was welcomed with open arms into the corporate world. Paula is currently the Director of Strategic Advisory at Bayleys Commercial and on our screens as the vibrant Co-Host of the TVNZ game show, Give Us A Clue.

Day Two: Thursday

Miriama Kamo

Award winning journalist, Miriama Kamo, is the presenter and a reporter for TVNZ’s flagship current affairs programme, Sunday and a presenter on TVNZ’s bilingual Maori and English current affairs show, Marae.

A founding Sunday team member, Miriama relishes working on the stories that matter to New Zealander's and has been at the forefront of many major events in Aotearoa.

Jazz Thornton

Following her own battle with mental illness, Jazz Thornton has now dedicated her life to speaking hope and creating change in the area of mental health through her organisation, Voices of Hope.

In 2021, Jazz was awarded the Young New Zealander of The Year and her unique experience and practical message has gained worldwide recognition being shared through media, international speaking engagements and in a feature documentary film, The Girl on The Bridge.

Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee is undoubtedly one of the world’s leading fast bowlers and allrounders in the game of cricket. With a first-class career spanning 20 years, Sir Richard’s achievements are endless. He has been named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year (twice), Sportsperson of the Decade, inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and knighted for services to cricket in 1990 while still playing the game.

His life in cricket has been immense as a player, level 3 coach, manager of NZA teams, national selector and an NZC board member.

Abbas Nazari

Best-selling author, Abbas Nazari’s has an incredible story of resilience.

Abbas was one of more than 400 asylum seekers who were rescued by the Norwegian container ship, the MV Tampa in 2001.

Having arrived as an eight-year-old with no English, Abbas went on to achieve outstanding academic success and in 2019 he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship completing a Master's at Georgetown University in Washington DC. While in the United States, Abbas wrote and published his family memoir, After The Tampa which has received critical acclaim and become a number one bestseller.

15 – 16 June 2022
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand

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