Festival for the Future 2024
Programme Announcement

The full Festival and associated satellite events take place in Wellington from Tuesday 16th – Friday 19th July, with the main 2-day conference of speakers, panels and workshops happening Wednesday and Thursday at TSB Arena.

Download Programme (PDF)

#FFTF24 SCHEDULE

TUESDAY 16 JULY

Michael Fowler Center, Wellington

Doors Open / Registration

11:00AM

The Mayors Lunch

The Mayor’s Lunch is a satellite event to connect with Mayors and Youth Councils from across Aotearoa a day before the official opening of the Festival, hosted by the Mayor of Wellington, Tory Whanau.

This event is by invitation only.

Brought to you by:

12:00PM - 2:00PM

Hosted By: Tory Whanau

WEDNESDAY 17 JULY

TSB Arena, Wellington

Vira Paky & Luke Bird: Masters of Ceremony

8:00AM

Doors Open / Registration

9:00AM

Opening Ceremony - Welcome to FFTF24

(Main Stage) Keynote Speakers

Tory Whanau

Mayor of Wellington, Board Member at Inspiring Stories

Adriana Bird

Youth Ambassador, New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

Mike Smith

Climate Activist and Iwi Leader, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu

Tamara Buckland

Chairperson at Inspiring Stories, Founder of BloomHQ

Entertainment / AM Break

10:15AM

Breakout Sessions / Build Your Knowledge and Skills - Choose from one of the following streams

11:00AM

(Main Stage) Panel Discussion: Toitū Te Tiriti - Honour the Treaty

Join us for the Toitū Te Tiriti panel at the Festival for the Future, where we stand together to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In light of the proposed governmental changes threatening te reo Māori, Māori health, and our foundational document, this session aims to highlight the implications of these legislative actions. We will discuss the urgent need to protect and promote the principles of partnership, participation, and protection encapsulated in Te Tiriti.

Our panelists will share their experiences with the Toitū Te Tiriti movement, explore the real impacts on Māori communities, and discuss tangible actions we can all take to support this critical kaupapa.

This Panel will conclude with a performance from Rehe Kōrero (2023 Word – The Front Line Poetry Slam Champions).

Jase Te Patu

International Speaker and Founder and co-CEO of Hauora Aotearoa

Aleisha Amohia

Technical Lead at Catalyst IT

Hinekaa Mako

Māori Scriptwriter, Poet, and Artist

Katherine Short

Principal and Director, F.L.O.W Collaborative and Board Trustee of Blue Cradle Foundation

Simulata (Lata) Pope

Advocacy Leader at Voyce Whakarongo Mai Auckland

Stacey Te Pōhue Rose

Community Outreach Coordinator at Inspiring Stories

Breakout Sessions

Exploring Intersecting Identities

Hosted By: Leadership Lab

Ready to explore your identity and enhance your communication skills?

Join Leadership Lab for a poetry workshop that encourages self-expression, empathy, and personal growth.

Ethical Investing for Collective Wellbeing

Hosted By: Pathfinder

Ready to align your investments with your values?

Join Pathfinder for an Ethical Investing workshop that explores the power of financial karma and shows you how to grow your wealth ethically.

Spoken Word

Hosted By: Action Education

Getting Your Startup Off the Ground

Hosted By: Callaghan Innovation

Ready to launch your startup or take it to the next level?

Join Callaghan Innovation for a comprehensive session on navigating the startup support ecosystem, designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and current startup owners alike.

12:30PM

Marketplace / Lunch & Networking

Breakout Sessions / Build Your Knowledge and Skills - Choose from one of the following streams

1:45PM

(Main Stage) Panel Discussion: Innovation for a Better Tomorrow

Join us for the "Innovation for a Better Tomorrow" panel at the Festival for the Future, where we explore the power of innovation to address global challenges.

In an era defined by rapid advancement, this session will highlight how innovative leaders are creating impactful solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future. We will discuss the role of purpose-driven businesses in driving social and environmental change, and how individuals can contribute through investment, purchasing decisions, and advocacy.

Our panelists will share their journeys, the challenges they faced, and the successes they've achieved in leading impactful ventures. Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how to engage in and support the purpose-driven economy.

Izzy Fenwick

Entrepreneur, Environmentalist, Global Speaker

Melissa Gollan

CEO & Founder, RIPA Global

Mrinali Kumar

CEO & Co-Founder, EatKinda

Chris Simcock

Chief Financial Officer, Leaft Foods

Breakout Sessions

Exploring Intersecting Identities

Hosted By: Leadership Lab

Ready to explore your identity and enhance your communication skills?

Join Leadership Lab for a poetry workshop that encourages self-expression, empathy, and personal growth.

Ethical Investing for Collective Wellbeing

Hosted By: Pathfinder

Ready to align your investments with your values?

Join Pathfinder for an Ethical Investing workshop that explores the power of financial karma and shows you how to grow your wealth ethically.

Spoken Word

Hosted By: Action Education

Getting Your Startup Off the Ground

Hosted By: Callaghan Innovation

Ready to launch your startup or take it to the next level?

Join Callaghan Innovation for a comprehensive session on navigating the startup support ecosystem, designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and current startup owners alike.

3:30PM

Marketplace / PM Break

4:00PM

Closing Session

(Main Stage) Panel Discussion: From Position to Person - Exploring the Human Stories Behind the Systems

Join us for the "From Position to Person" panel at the Festival for the Future, where we delve into the human stories behind societal systems.

This session will showcase a variety of perspectives on current systems and theories of change, emphasising the personal narratives that drive these efforts. We aim to demonstrate how meaningful conversations with those holding differing beliefs can pave the way to a better future.

Our panelists will share their experiences, challenge biases, and discuss how empathy and understanding can reduce societal polarisation.

Sanchia Jacobs

Director of Local Government Advisory at Beca, Member of the Auditor-General's Local Government Advisory Group

Jonathan Boston

Chair at the School of Government, Victoria University

Sally Hett

Knowledge and Engagement Lead at Wellbeing Economy Alliance

Nive Sharat Chandran

Regional Planning Lead - Northern, Commissioning at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Wayne McNee

Chief Executive at AgriZeroNZ

Kaeden Watts

Indigenous Climate and Human Rights Advocate

THURSDAY 18 JULY

TSB Arena, Wellington

Tracey Hemingway & Whakarongotai Hohepa: Masters of Ceremony

Doors Open / Registration

8:00AM

Opening Session - The Kiwi’s Making Waves Locally and Globally

9:00AM

(Main Stage) Keynote Speakers

Shaneel Lal

LGBTQIA+ Rights Activist, Young New Zealander of the Year (2023)

Ezekiel Raui

Head of Foundation at One New Zealand, Queen's Young Leader Award, Forbes 30 under 30 (2019)

Tame Iti

Māori Activist, Artist, Actor, Social Worker

Performance

Creative NZ

Entertainment / AM Break

10:15AM

Breakout Sessions / Build Your Knowledge and Skills - Choose from one of the following streams

11:00AM

(Main Stage) Panel Discussion: Trailblazers - What Does It Mean To Build A Legacy

Join us for the "Trailblazers: What Does It Mean to Build a Legacy?" panel at the Festival for the Future, presented in partnership with YWCA.

This session delves into the essence of being a trailblazer, exploring the challenges and triumphs of forging new paths for future generations. Our panelists will share their personal journeys, discuss the importance of setting boundaries for sustainable leadership, and offer insights into protecting our environment as part of our legacy.

This panel aims to inspire confidence, provide practical self-care tips, and highlight the nuanced experiences of trailblazing in various fields.

This Panel will conclude with a performance from Rosalie Norton (Young Changemaker).

Genna Hawkins-Boulton

Director & Co-Founder of Let’s Talk Consent, Associate at YWCA

Lushomo Thebe

Board Member at YWCA, President & Board Chair of Waikato Students’ Union, Law Clerk at Chapman Tripp

Cha’nel Kaa-Luke

Kaitakawaenga Turi Māori at Deaf Eduation New Zealand, Ko Taku Reo

Veisinia Moli

Head Girl at Marlborough Girls' College, Y25 Recipient (2023)

Nina Santos

Solicitor at E tū, Advocacy and Communications Manager at YWCA

Breakout Sessions

Intersectionality and System Change

Hosted By: Leadership Lab

Join Leadership Lab for a transformative workshop that explores intersectionality, systems change, and changing narratives.

Leave inspired and equipped with critical analysis skills and practical strategies for advocacy and activism, ready to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

Dynamic Futures: Building Flexibility into Adaptation Planning

Hosted By: Beca

Concerned about the impacts of climate change in Aotearoa? Ready to explore adaptive solutions?

Join Beca to learn about Dynamic Adaptive Planning Pathways (DAPP) and how to navigate the complexities of climate change adaptation.

The Role of Artists in Climate Justice

Hosted By: Creative NZ

An Introduction to Design Thinking

Hosted By: UC Centre of Entrepreneurship (UCE)

Ready to dive into the world of design thinking?

Join UCE for a fast-paced and fun workshop that guides you through the five modes of human-centered design: empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test.

12:30PM

Marketplace / Lunch & Networking

Breakout Sessions / Build Your Knowledge and Skills - Choose from one of the following streams

1:45PM

(Main Stage) Panel Discussion: Identity & Belonging - What does nationhood look like to you?

Identity and Belonging examines the interplay between self and society and in doing so explores the complex nature of ‘who we are’ and ‘how we come to be’ as individuals and as members of society.

Aotearoa is complex and unique. It’s a critical time to be thinking questions like - What does it mean to be a New Zealander? What creates a sense of belonging and identity, both here and in the world? How do Identities change? With global pandemics and vaccine mandates, racial violence, and growing inequality, easy slogans take the place of reasoning and reasonableness.

Panellist will discuss where we’ve come from and where we are heading along with how they see their involvement in shaping a better future for all.

Kauri Tearaura

DEI Lead at MfE and Youth Advisory Member for Inspiring Stories

Elina Ashimbayeva

Founder, Storyo

Yibeth Ayala

Youth Settlement Worker & Advocate

Kasi Valu

Actor, Poet & Creative

Kartini Clarke

CEO, Young Neurodiversity Champions

Performance

Creative NZ

Breakout Sessions

An Introduction to Design Thinking

Hosted By: UC Centre of Entrepreneurship (UCE)

Ready to dive into the world of design thinking?

Join UCE for a fast-paced and fun workshop that guides you through the five modes of human-centered design: empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test.

Dynamic Futures: Building Flexibility into Adaptation Planning

Hosted By: Beca

Concerned about the impacts of climate change in Aotearoa? Ready to explore adaptive solutions?

Join Beca to learn about Dynamic Adaptive Planning Pathways (DAPP) and how to navigate the complexities of climate change adaptation.

Intersectionality and System Change

Hosted By: Leadership Lab

Join Leadership Lab for a transformative workshop that explores intersectionality, systems change, and changing narratives.

Leave inspired and equipped with critical analysis skills and practical strategies for advocacy and activism, ready to create a more equitable and inclusive society.