thrive
Wellington
08
PROGRAMME 2008
8:00REGISTRATION & NETWORKING SESSION
8:30WELCOME
MC: Rod Oram
Financial Journalist
Rod Oram has more than 30 years’ experience as an international financial journalist. He has worked in Europe and North America for leading publications such as the London Financial Times and the Toronto Globe & Mail.
His FT career spanned 18 years (1979-1997) as an editor and writer based in London and New York. Rod has also travelled extensively in North America, Europe and Asia.
Rod is currently a columnist for the Sunday Star-Times and Good Magazine; a regular broadcaster on radio and television; and a frequent public speaker on business and economic issues.
Rod is an adjunct professor in Business School at Unitec, Auckland’s technology tertiary institution. He has also contributed to several regional economic development strategies.
In the 2004 Qantas Media Awards, Rod was a triple winner as Newspaper Columnist of the Year and Magazine Feature Writer of the Year (both in the business category) and recipient of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise’s Travel Scholarship in recognition for his writing on NZ innovation.
And in the 2006 Westpac Business & Financial Journalism Awards Rod won the category Reporting on Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability or Community Engagement.
Kerry Prendergast
Mayor of Wellington
Kerry Prendergast is in her third term as Mayor of Wellington. She was elected Mayor in 2001 after serving six years as Deputy Mayor.
She has had a long and distinguished career in local body politics having started her political life as a Tawa Borough Councillor in 1986. In 1989 she was elected to Wellington City Council and has been successfully elected to council every three years since.
Her professional background is in the health sector as a registered nurse and, for 25 years, a midwife. She continued her midwifery role alongside her local government work until 2001. She has also been a voluntary grief counsellor.
She holds a Master of Business Degree (MBA) from Victoria University of Wellington.
She is Vice President of Local Government New Zealand and a trustee of the Joe Aspell Trust and the NZ International Festival of the Arts. She is also an honorary life member of the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society and the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society.
Mayor Prendergast is Patron of a number of Wellington organisations and a director of Wellington International Airport Ltd.
Paul Winter
CEO, EMA Central
9:00LESSONS LEARNED CREATING
A BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS
Brent Hansen
Former CEO, MTV Europe and
winner of the World Class
New Zealander Award
February 2006 saw Brent Hansen's resignation from an extraordinary position of power in the world's entertainment industry. After nearly 19 years with MTV Networks International (MTVNI), Mr Hansen left the company as its President of Creative and Editor-in-Chief. Promoted to that position in 2003, Mr Hansen was responsible for overseeing creative and editorial endeavours for MTV's 97 international channels, as well as branding, creative, music, programming and editorial output for all global initiatives led by MTVNI. Starting as a news producer, he had worked his way to the rank of Chief Executive of MTV Networks Europe by 1997. In that role, Mr Hansen headed a staff of 1,200 to prescribe the television music diet of around 120 million homes across Europe.
The former Television New Zealand producer with a Master's degree in old English Literature has been instrumental in backing the music careers of Kiwis in the UK. He was also a major supporter of the 2000 retrospective exhibition of New Zealand's modernist artist Len Lye, at the celebrated Pompidou Centre in Paris, and broadcast his avant-garde films across his network.
9:30THE NEW ZEALAND EDGE
Brian Sweeney
Founder, SweeneyVesty
- A new global view
- World-changing ideas
- Our export imperative
Brian Sweeney is Chairman of SweeneyVesty, a Wellington-based consultancy founded in 1987 providing advice, strategy, communications and resources to corporate organizations and brands in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Europe. His first business was as an entrepreneur and producer in the entertainment business (music, theater, dance and film). Since 1993 he has been part of the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Conference in California. He co-produces the ideas forum 7X7, is co-founder of The New Zealand Edge idea and producer of nzedge.com. A political science graduate from Waikato University, Brian lives in Wellington and New York.
10:00EMPOWER YOUR GREATEST ASSETS
Roger Perry
Head of Retail - Investments,
TOWER Investments
- What is your greatest asset?
- Arming you to meet the new challenge
- What are you waiting for?
Roger has overall departmental responsibility within TOWER Investments for retail product marketing and distribution, including TOWER’s KiwiSaver scheme, TOWER Financial Advisory Services, and other investment distribution channels.
Roger has over 25 years’ experience in the banking and financial services sector, having held positions at central and commercial banks in New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. He is well known as a public commentator on retirement saving, and in recent years on the introduction of KiwiSaver.
Roger has a first class honours degree in economics from the University of Otago.
10:15MORNING REFRESHMENTS
& NETWORKING SESSION
11:00BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS,
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO
Peri Drysdale
Founder, Untouched World
- From being a nurse to leading the first fashion company in the world to be recognised by the UN for sustainability
- How Untouched World has become the essential clothing item for everyday wear
Peri Drysdale founded Snowy Peak Ltd in 1981. The company knitted the first ever garment in possum and wool in 1992 and launched Merinomink, a blend of fine merino and possum fibre in 1996. Untouched World, a lifestyle concept combining style, performance and simplicity, followed in 1998. The Untouched World Charitable Trust, which focuses on environmental and social projects, was established in 2000.
In 1992 Peri was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to New Zealand (Manufacturing and Export), received the North and South Magazine Award for the Top 100 New Zealanders making the largest contribution to New Zealand, the South Island Business Woman of the Year award 2002, and she was North and South Magazine's New Zealander of the Year for 2006. In April 2007 Peri was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce. In November of 2007 the company became the first fashion company in the world to be given permission by UNESCO to carry the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development Education (UN DESD) logo on its labelling – one of a three business organisations internationally accredited. In February 2008 Peri was awarded Supreme Winner at the World Class New Zealand Awards.
11:30THE BUSINESS CASE FOR
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011
Martin Snedden
Chief Executive Officer,
Rugby New Zealand 2011
- 6 weeks, 48 games, 20 teams and 3.4 billion viewers - what will it take to make it happen?
- Mastering the details of a massive project
- Options and opportunities for NZ Inc
Martin Snedden took up the position of Chief Executive of RNZ 2011 Ltd in May 2007. He was previously Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket. Martin represented the BLACKCAPS between 1980 and 1990, including the 1983 and 1987 World Cups. He is a qualified lawyer and worked in that capacity in Auckland between 1981 and 2001. Martin’s family has a strong cricketing background. His grandfather, Nessie Snedden, played for New Zealand between 1914 and 1923. Martin’s uncle, Colin, played test cricket for New Zealand and father, Warwick, played first class cricket for Auckland. Martin’s great grandfather was part of a group which bought a block of swamp land in Auckland, drained and converted it into the ground now known as Eden Park. Martin also has a background in rugby having captained his school 1st XV and represented Auckland at U19 and U21 levels.
12:00TRACTOR SEAT PHILOSOPHY
Peter Yealands
Entrepreneur and Founder
of Yealands Estate
- Learning on the job
- The importance of relationships
- Trust your judgement and don’t look back
Peter was born 1948 in Marlborough and left school at 14 to work in his father’s grocery shop. At 15 he went shearing and fencing. He loved the work and still does but saw other opportunities and got involved in contracting of all varieties. While working in the wonderful world of tenders Peter saw a future in marine farming. He applied for and got the first Marine Farm Licence in New Zealand. After developing marine farming systems and inventing and developing equipment he sold out of marine farming and went dear farming. Peter then got involved in the wine industry and developing vineyards. He is now the proud owner of 1100 hectares of vineyard and a winery.
12:30LUNCH & NETWORKING SESSION
1:45GAINING BUSINESS ADVANTAGE THROUGH BRAND DESIGN
Sven Baker
Creative Director, designworks
- Building the intangible value of your business
- Developing deeper, more meaningful levels of customer engagement
- Making a promise and delivering on it through powerful design thinking
One of Australasia’s leading creative directors, Sven heads up designworks' Wellington team, having returned from a seven year stint in Sydney setting up and running the company's Australian business. Sven’s role as Managing Director and Design Strategist is to ensure clients’ business strategies are translated into effective design strategies and compelling brand experiences.
Sven's personal vision is of a more prosperous New Zealand, through the integration of powerful design thinking into business processes. He believes designworks' purpose is to foster design-inspired companies that are uniquely positioned, and enabled, to return greater value to the country in a sustainable manner.
2:15PANEL: GEARING UP FOR BUSINESS GROWTH
Peter Tynan
Chief Operating Officer,
Marketing and Distribution,
Southern Cross Corporate Solutions
Peter Tynan joined Southern Cross in August 2004 following an eight year career with American Express where he held a series of senior roles initially in New Zealand and then overseas.
Peter sees the future for successful corporate health as not just insurance to cover illness but more comprehensive total health management.
Peter strongly believes Southern Cross Corporate Solutions can improve best practices of business through a focus on health management, delivering tangible outcomes such as reducing sick leave, and increasing productivity and improving retention of staff. Positive work environments can also help to position a business as an employer of choice.
Brian Sweeney
Founder, SweeneyVesty
Brian Sweeney is Chairman of SweeneyVesty, a Wellington-based consultancy founded in 1987 providing advice, strategy, communications and resources to corporate organisations and brands in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Europe. His first business was as an entrepreneur and producer in the entertainment business (music, theater, dance and film). Since 1993 he has been part of the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Conference in California. He co-produces the ideas forum 7X7, is co-founder of The New Zealand Edge idea and producer of nzedge.com. A political science graduate from Waikato University, Brian lives in Wellington and New York.
Seeby Woodhouse
Managing Director, Green Carbon Limited
Cashed up to the tune of $19 million following the sale of his internet business Orcon, entrepreneur Seeby Woodhouse is “having a go” again with the launch of his Green Carbon business in March this year.
North Shore entrepreneur Seeby Woodhouse, is best known for starting up and running a number of businesses over the years, including internet service provider company Orcon which he built from inception into a multi-million dollar business. In 2007 Woodhouse sold Orcon to Kordia. In 2004 he was also recognized as the New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Hi-Tech Young Achiever of the Year. With Orcon behind him, Woodhouse developed an increasing interest into Global Warming and the environment and decided to investigate business ideas within eco and sustainable industries. Woodhouse has consequently sold up all other business interests to focus on his new venture Green Carbon.
"I think I am naturally good at visualization. You need to be able to build those pictures in your brain of where you are going. If you doubt yourself, your chances of success will be a lot lower".
Peter Yealands
Entrepreneur & Founder of Yealands Estate
Peter was born 1948 in Marlborough and left school at 14 to work in his father’s grocery shop. At 15 he went shearing and fencing. He loved the work and still does but saw other opportunities and got involved in contracting of all varieties. While working in the wonderful world of tenders Peter saw a future in marine farming. He applied for and got the first Marine Farm Licence in New Zealand. After developing marine farming systems and inventing and developing equipment he sold out of marine farming and went dear farming. Peter then got involved in the wine industry and developing vineyards. He is now the proud owner of 1100 hectares of vineyard and a winery.
2:45HOW NEW ZEALAND COMPANIES CAN SUCCEED GLOBALLY
Gareth Davies
Welsh Rugby Legend
& Head of International Business Wales
Australia and New Zealand
- From coal to cutting edge
- Unlocking business success
- Tapping into 400 million customers in the EU market
Currently the Head of Australia & New Zealand for International Business Wales, Gareth Davies commenced his role with Welsh Assembly Government as Vice President for Australia and New Zealand in October 2006. Based in Sydney his appointment follows three and a half years with the Royal Mail Group in Wales as its Director of Welsh Affairs. Former chairman of the Sports Council for Wales and Commissioning Editor for Sports and Events at Welsh TV company S4C, Mr Davies has an illustrious sporting background as well as a strong professional and business record. He began his rugby career with Llanelli, retiring from the sport after 12 seasons at Cardiff and gaining 21 Welsh caps. He captained Wales five times, and was part of the British Lions team that toured South Africa in 1980.
His impressive business career has included Assistant Director of the CBI Wales and BBC Wales Head of Sport. He was also Chief Executive of Cardiff Athletic Club/Cardiff Rugby Football Club until June 1999. He joined Royal Mail Group plc at the most challenging time in the organisation’s 368 year long history, as it proceeds with the single biggest corporate turnaround program in British industry. Mr Davies, a BSc Chemistry graduate from the former University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, with a PGCE from Oxford University, has two daughters Kathryn, a newly qualified doctor and Lowri a Student at Swansea University.
3:15AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS
& NETWORKING SESSION
3:45PERFORMANCE BY PEARL
Shelley Hirini & Lisa Nimmo
PEARL
Lisa Nimmo and Shelley Hirini's story is one of hard work, talent and the courage to follow a dream.
Their unique presentation blends keynote speaking with live music performance. It shares some of the secrets that have seen them in just five years, switch from corporate career paths to becoming successful professional musicians, and performing with international legends Elton John and Eric Clapton.
Both in their thirties and with combined business backgrounds in marketing, advertising, business and project management Lisa and Shelley have succeeded against the odds. Working in the highly competitive, youth-oriented music industry, in just six years they have built a successful brand (Pearl) in a rapidly changing global market.
Lisa and Shelley were introduced in 2002 by a life coach, formed Pearl in 2003 and have since released a critically acclaimed debut album that can now be heard all over the world. They are known within the music industry for their maverick, innovative approach to marketing which has enabled Pearl to stand out and compete against some of the worlds most powerful record companies.
4:15I just had to have a go
Seeby Woodhouse
Managing Director, Green Carbon Limited
- Taking advantage of change
- Turning visions into reality
- Growing a business without borrowing
4:45PANEL: WINNING!
Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell
Olympic Champions
There are few New Zealand sportsmen and sportswomen who have won Olympic Gold. Fewer still have won two. The Evers-Swindell twins Caroline and Georgina did just that in Beijing in 2008 in the most dramatic style possible. They put a season of adversity behind them and showed what true champions are made of with victory secured on the very last stroke of the race. A nation celebrated as one and rowing worldwide shared the moment with two of its finest ever exponents.
Valerie Vili
Olympic Champion
Vili first came to prominence when winning the World Youth Championships in 2001. She followed this up in 2002 by becoming World Junior champion and had her first taste of senior success winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. She finished fifth at the 2003 World Championships at 18 years of age, finished in the 2004 Olympics and won a bronze medal at the World Championships. After finishing second at the World Athletics Final Vili went on to win a gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, breaking the 20-year-old Commonwealth Games record.
In 2007, Vili threw a mammoth throw and Commonwealth record to take the gold. This made Vili one of few female athletes ever to take IAAF World Titles at youth, junior and senior level. In 2008 Vili broke the Oceania record in winning her first World Indoor Title in Valencia.
At the Beijing Olympics, she won the gold throwing a personal best. It is the first Olympic gold medal in track and field for New Zealand since John Walker won the 1,500 meter race in 1976.
She also won the New Zealand Sports Award of the year in 2008.
David Tua
National Heavyweight Champion
Tua became New Zealand national heavyweight champion in 1988 at age 15. At age 19 he won a Bronze Medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Tua turned professional later the same year.
Tua soon became internationally respected for having one of the most devastating left hooks in world boxing and for his ability to end fights early and to dish out severe punishment. In 2003 Tua was named the 48th greatest puncher of all time by Ring Magazine and of his first 27 fights, 23 were by knockout. Tua fought for the WBC, IBF and IBO world heavyweight championship titles in November 2000 - and went the distance in a 12 round bout - but lost on points by a wide margin to defending champion Lennox Lewis.
Tua was inactive for over two years before he stepped into the ring March 2005 and bested Talmadge Griffis in a 10 round bout - ending the match and earning a TKO victory with 26 seconds remaining.
David Tua is currently signed to fight unbeaten American Chris Arreola. The prize for the winner of that match-up is a date with WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. Tua is currently ranked 23rd in the world. The WBC ranks him as the No 7 heavyweight in the world and the IBF has him ranked No 10.
5:30CLOSING REMARKS
Paul Winter
CEO, EMA Central
5:35COCKTAILS & NETWORKING SESSION
