Meet the Summit Speakers
Ed Barker
Manager, Partridge Advisory
Ed Barker has been supporting New Zealand businesses in the tech and innovation industries with risk and insurance advice for over 5 years. Before that, he worked for 9 years tackling a wide range of critical public-facing projects and programmes. In every project he has led, the end-user or customer has remained at the centre. He brings that view to the insurance sector, ensuring that customers remain at the centre of the process from start to finish.
He's a passionate cheerleader for New Zealand businesses in the tourism, tech, and innovation sectors and can often be found helping people understand their risk position so they can insure against the things that keep them up at night.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science, International Relations) and is a qualified PRINCE2 Project Practitioner.
In his spare time, Ed enjoys exploring NZ with his family, getting into the bush, playing video games, having a bash on the drums, and keeping up to date with music.
Ngahihi o te ra Bidois
The Face of New Zealand
Ngahihi o te ra Bidois is “The Face of New Zealand.” He is known for his impactful storytelling that moves audiences emotionally and intellectually.
As a distinguished Māori leader, speaker and cultural ambassador, his tourism experiences include his own VIP tourism business. As a Professional Director he currently sits on 7 boards including Tauhara North No.2 Trust, which developed Tamaki tours into the award-winning Te Pa Tu tourist attraction.
Ngahihi blends ancient Māori wisdom with modern leadership tools under his powerful tagline “Ancient Wisdom – Modern Solutions”.
He is a recipient of the National Professional Speakers Association New Zealand Speaker of the Year, New Zealand Inspirational Speaker of the Year and New Zealand Master of Ceremonies of the year Awards.
Ngahihi holds a Business Marketing degree, a postgraduate teaching diploma, a tourism qualification, an advanced Certificate in Company Direction and a Master’s degree in Education with honours.
Corin Dann
Political Journalist
Corin Dann is a senior journalist and broadcaster with over 25 years’ experience covering news, politics and economics. He currently works at RNZ hosting the flagship show Morning Report and co-hosting the new political history podcast Context. Highlights from Corin’s career include reporting live from the US Presidential election, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and behind the wire in Iraq. He lives in Wellington with his wife and sons. When not working Corin loves surfing, playing guitar and walking his black Labrador, Stanley.
Alex Dykman
Founder, Grow Tourism
Driven by a passion for people and possibility, Alex Dykman works at the intersection of tourism, people, and technology - on a mission to ensure the industry is ready for tomorrow. As founder of learning and development platform Grow Tourism, she’s determined to position the visitor economy as one of the most fulfilling and exciting career paths for the next generation. Also the founder of marketing agency Maverick Tourism, Alex has seen first-hand how rapidly technology is reshaping our industry - and she’s here for it! Known for her candid, entrepreneurial approach to tackling tourism’s challenges, she’s helping the sector embrace change and build a vibrant future.
Izzy Fenwick
Co-Founder, Futureful
Izzy Fenwick is a sustainability advocate and entrepreneur. With a background in communications and psychology, her work focuses on how human behaviour, business strategy, and policy can accelerate the action needed to build a more sustainable and prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand. She is the co-founder of Futureful, an ESG-based talent platform, and a Fellow of both India’s Observer Research Foundation (a leading geopolitical think tank) and New Zealand’s NEXT Foundation. Izzy also serves on the board of The Aotearoa Circle, a public–private partnership dedicated to restoring natural capital and securing long-term prosperity. Her work increasingly explores the global forces shaping climate ambition, and the role of diplomacy, leadership, and innovation in navigating them.
Charles Finny
Partner, Saunders Unsworth
Charles Finny is a partner at public relations consultancy Saunders Unsworth. He has extensive international trade experience having helped negotiate several of New Zealand’s FTAs. He advises a number of clients internationally and domestically on current geopolitical challenges. Charles Chairs the NZTE Board and is on the Board of Invest New Zealand and Woolyarns Holdings. He is a former Chair of Education New Zealand and has served on the Board of the New Zealand Film Commission and Victoria University Council. Charles is a former CEO of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and has worked at MFAT, the former Department of Trade and Industry and Prime Minister’s Department. He has served overseas in Singapore, Beijing and Taipei.
Chris Helder
Chris Helder has been one of Australia's most sought after speakers for the last 20 years. He has presented over 2,500 times at conferences and events all over the world, sharing his insights and strategies on how to communicate effectively, inspire and motivate teams, and achieve success in business and life.
Chris is known for his energetic, engaging presentation style and his ability to use real-life examples and humour to drive his message home.
Jason Hill
Managing Director, Tourism Talent
Jason has held a variety of senior management and governance roles across the New Zealand tourism industry and is currently Managing Director of Tourism Talent and Meneth Consulting.
Prior roles include Head of Auckland Tourism, Regional Manager Japan & Korea at Tourism New Zealand based in Tokyo, GM Marketing at Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, and Marketing Manager at BTM Marketing.
Governance roles include Tourism Bay of Plenty, Chair - ICE Group, Tūwharetoa Tongariro Tourism Hub, AUT Tourism School advisory board, NZ Cruise Association, i-site NZ, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and Te Haerenga (an arm of Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki iwi).
Jason led the development of the Destination AKL 2025 Plan, New Zealand’s first Destination Management Plan launched in May 2018 and was the lead consult writing the Destination Management Plan for Northland in 2021.
Sam Howarth
Chief Revenue Officer, Angus & Associates
Sam Howarth is Chief Revenue Officer at Angus & Associates. Angus & Associates helps tourism organisations to capture real perspectives and deliver insights into employee experience, customer experience and brand performance. With a career spanning sales, customer experience and leadership across tech, services, membership and events, Sam is driven by creating experiences that people rave about and remember.
Rebecca Ingram
Chief Executive, Tourism Industry Aotearoa
Rebecca Ingram joined TIA as Chief Executive in March 2022, bringing with her over 20 years of experience across tourism, marketing, event management, advocacy and stakeholder relations.
Rebecca describes herself as ‘tourism’s biggest champion’ and is passionate about supporting the industry to build its resilience and impact through economic, social, environmental and cultural contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through her strong network with key decision makers and relationships into government, she successfully advocates on behalf of the industry. As the driving force being the development of Tourism 2050 – a Blueprint for Impact, she has helped to establish a clear strategy for the industry, articulating a shared mission and vision, and clearly conveying the industry’s ambitions for the future and plan to get there.
Miriama Kamo,
MC
Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu/Ngāti Mutunga) is a celebrated broadcaster, acclaimed author, environmental advocate, and cultural leader.
A familiar face in Aotearoa’s media landscape, Miriama is the long-standing host of Māori current affairs programme Marae and a former host of TVNZ’s Sunday, as well as a trusted presence across many of the network’s news programmes. Her journalism is marked by integrity, depth, and a strong commitment to elevating underrepresented voices.
Miriama is a Patron/Te Koruru of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, EnviroHub Bay of Plenty and supports numerous charitable causes as an ambassador, including Pillars (supporting children of prison inmates), Charity Foundations NZ, Breast Cancer NZ, and Endometriosis NZ. She is a passionate environmentalist and one of the country’s leading voices promoting the Zero-waste movement. She is also a dedicated advocate for te reo Māori and is the co-founder of Kotahi Rau Pukapuka (KRP), a charitable trust committed to publishing 100 books in te reo for fluent and advanced learners.
She is a mother of two and continues to influence national conversations around culture, storytelling, environmental responsibility, and indigenous identity.
Felicity Roxburgh
Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF)
Felicity Roxburgh is the Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF), where she leads the Forum’s engagement on key trade and economic policy issues and represents the interests of internationally focused businesses in dialogue with government and international partners.
Felicity brings nearly two decades of experience in international trade, foreign policy, and regional engagement, with a strong focus on geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific. She most recently served as New Zealand’s Consul-General in New Caledonia and has held a broad range of roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with postings in Hong Kong, New York, and the Pacific.
Earlier in her career, Felicity served as Director, Business at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, where she led initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s business and people-to-people links across Asia. She has a Master's in Communication Studies and a degree in journalism.
Toni Truslove
Strategic Consultant, Ghost Dynamics
Toni Truslove is a Strategic Consultant at Ghost Dynamics, helping leaders turn global economic, geopolitical, and technological change into opportunities for growth and impact. She works with organisations to understand abstract trends and translate them into practical strategies that harness their unique strengths. Previously the Global CEO of Kea New Zealand, Toni led one of the world’s largest nation-based networks, mobilising innovation, technology, and connections across borders to drive trade, investment, and opportunity. An experienced speaker, she shares insights on navigating complexity, leveraging New Zealand’s competitive edge, and turning global shifts into actionable growth.
Hon. Louise Upston
Louise Upston is the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Disability Issues, Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Child Poverty Reduction and Deputy Leader of the House. She has served as the MP for Taupō since the 2008 election.
Louise held a number of Ministerial roles in the Fifth National Government, including the portfolios of Corrections, Education, Land Information, Local Government, Women, and Tertiary Education Skills and Employment. She also served as Government Chief Whip.
Prior to entering Parliament in 2008, Louise was self-employed as a project management consultant. She also held directorships in a number of trusts and companies involved in property, tourism, management, and consulting. Louise holds an MBA from Waikato University.
Fraser Walker
National Business Development Manager, Emergence Insurance
Fraser Walker leads Emergence's initiatives in New Zealand, leveraging over 18 years of experience in the insurance industry. Originally from Scotland, Fraser's expertise spans logistics, marine underwriting, and various liability lines, now focusing on the dynamic field of cyber insurance.
Throughout his career, Fraser has held senior underwriting and distribution roles within multinational insurers and has recently served in executive positions at global Fortune 500 companies.
Fraser is committed to growing Emergence's brand and presence, leveraging his extensive network of brokers and providers in New Zealand to introduce and expand Emergence's innovative offerings in the market.
Michael Williams
Chief Transformation & Alliances Officer, Air New Zealand
Mike joined Air New Zealand in 2016 and has since held several senior commercial and strategy roles including Group General Manager Commercial, Alliances and Strategy. Mike has a deep understanding of the business and the aviation sector, and a sharp strategic ability that has served Air New Zealand well as we have established key alliance partnerships over the years.
In his current role, Mike leads the delivery of the Kia Mau business strategy and continues to strengthen the airline's alliance partner relationships.
Prior to Air New Zealand, Mike worked with the Boston Consulting Group in Australia, Finland and the US working with clients in the aviation, technology and retail sectors.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with first-class honours and a Bachelor of Business Management in finance from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.