CONNEXIONS are all around us. From me to you, and from all of us to the universe - CONNEXIONS are everywhere. Relationships, mesh, nodes, community, micro and macro systems are all words that spring to mind when we think CONNEXIONS. We can't wait for you to join us in April, to explore our connections together.
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Allan Dixon
Social Media Influencer
Allan Dixon (@daxon) has been experimenting with media to excite people and fulfill life goals for the majority of his life. Winner of the 2013 ‘The Best Job in the World’ campaign by Tourism Australia after competing against over half a million contestants. His unique eye for online storytelling has lead to dream jobs, partnerships and free travel.Amy Scott
Communications Coach
Passionate about improving communication of people, families, businesses, organizations, teams, workplaces and communities everywhere – Amy Scott (former lawyer) says “It’s not rocket science – it is simply learning how not to rub people up the wrong way!” Living in beautiful Alexandra, she is proud born and bred rural Central Otago, New Zealand local.Holly Hoogvliet
Musician
Queenstown, New Zealand, born Holly Hoogvliet is already gathering a reputation as a top-notch musician at just 21 years old. She was playing piano by the age of four and writing songs at the age of eight. In 2007, she was identified as a talent to watch out for at the International Pacific Songwriting Awards.Ken Clearwater
Support Model and Trust Manager
Ken is a born and bred Cantabrian (New Zealand). He has been working with the Male Survivors of Sexual Assault Trust (MSSAT) since 1996. MSSAT is the only group of its kind in New Zealand dedicated to working with and supporting male survivors from a peer support model.Liz Breslin
Spoken Word Poet
A writer, poet, editor and tutor, Liz is based in Hawea Flat, New Zealand. In between all of her many professions, Liz finds opportunities for local voices. Her workshops give people the chance to bring their own words to life.Neil Gardyne
Farmer
Neil has been farming in Southland, New Zealand since he first began his career in 1998 just outside of Gore. Since then, they have grown their business to 13,000 stock units. In 2013 Neil, Philippa and Mark were finalists in the Lincoln South island farmer of the year competition. Neil is well known globally for the introduction of Drones into Agriculture.Niki Bezzant
Nutrition and Food Writer
Niki Bezzant is a nutrition and food writer and the founding editor, now editor-in-chief, of Healthy Food Guide magazine (New Zealand’s top-selling food magazine). She is a weekly columnist for the Herald on Sunday, regularly blogs at healthyfood.co.nz and is a regular contributor to TV and radio.Patrick Dodson
Chef, photographer, writer and designer
Patrick Dodson is a self-taught chef, photographer, writer, designer and Airbnb entrepreneur. His diverse journey in all these fields has come about by paying close attention to his innate traits and writing a narrative of his own future which he has leaned into, with wonderful and challenging results.Peggy Oki
Activist, Surfer, Skateboarder and Artist
Surfer, Skateboarder, Artist and Activist. Once the only female member of the famous Zephyr Skateboard team from documentary 'Dogtown and Z-Boys': Peggy’s love of the outdoors inspires her to travel worldwide in search of good surf. In 2004, she founded the Origami Whales Project to raise awareness about commercial whaling. She has also developed the Whales and Dolphins Ambassador Program and led campaigns such as ‘Let’s Face It’, which petitions to save New Zealand’s critically endangered Maui’s dolphins and Hector’s dolphins.Tashi & Nungshi Malik
Social Activists and Adventurers
Tashi and Nungshi Malik are world record holders and social activists. Originally from India, Tashi and Nungshi are completing their studies at Southern Institute of Technology in New Zealand, their mission to encourage other young girls to get involved with outdoor sports. The twins have created the NungshiTashiFoundation, which aims to promote gender parity, particularly for outdoor sports.Tony Crabb
Researcher
Tony Crabb was born in Arbroath, Scotland in 1964 and emigrated to Australia shortly afterwards. Tony currently talks widely around Australia and Asia on topics including urbanisation, ageing, climate change, technology, global debt, the workforce and investment markets.Organizing team
