Latest news with #BizFest2025:Kōpūitepae-LightuptheHorizon
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Porirua's BizFest Announces Two Outstanding Speakers
One of New Zealand's most iconic athletes will be speaking at Porirua's BizFest on 1 July, joining the founder of an international dance company who grew up in Cannons Creek. BizFest 2025: Kōpū i te pae - Light up the Horizon will take place on 1 July, a day that aims to inspire and connect business people in our city. Topics of discussion on the day will include what's on the economic horizon, how business leaders are navigating uncertain times in the business world, and what are the key ingredients for innovation and success now and into the future. Dame Valerie Adams is recognised worldwide for her feats in shot put and is a leader and role model in the Pacific community for her work outside athletics. From 2006 to 2016, Dame Valerie was unbeaten in major championships and won Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. A seven-time Halberg sportswoman of the year, her story is one that inspires - post her shot put career, she works in the community to support a number of causes and with commercial partners, while also being chair of the World Athletics Athletes' Commission, a World Athletics Council member and on the board of High Performance Sport New Zealand. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says having Dame Valerie speak in Porirua is a coup, bringing value to the event by being able to share her experiences as an athlete at the very highest level, her commitment to her community and health and wellbeing, and her advocacy for athletes, especially among women in sport. "Someone like Dame Valerie will add immense value to BizFest - she is someone who has demonstrated perseverance, discipline and an amazing work ethic, prioritising health and wellbeing, and commitment to helping others. I can't wait to hear what she has to say about pushing through challenges and building resilience," Mayor Baker says. Black Grace's Neil Ieremia, meanwhile, will add a homegrown flavour to BizFest, with his journey one of inspiration and perspiration. Born in Cannons Creek and of Samoan heritage, Ieremia left home and his banking job at 19 and enrolled in a fulltime dance programme. Founding dance company Black Grace in 1995, he has enjoyed sell-out performances in the US, Mexico and Canada and won numerous accolades at home and abroad for what Black Grace has achieved across the world. Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016, Ieremia received the inaugural Moana Creative Enterprise Award at the 2022 Pacific Business Trust Awards and is an honorary member of Dance ICONS, the international organisation of choreographers, along with numerous other honours. Mayor Baker says Ieremia's talk at BizFest should not be missed. "Neil was rightly inducted into our Hall of Fame at Te Rauparaha Arena in 2022 - he is a local who has gone on to impressive heights around the world and will have a beautiful and authentic story to tell about seizing opportunities and taking our stories from Porirua to the global stage."
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Stellar Lineup Of Speakers For Porirua's BizFest
BizFest in Porirua will take place on 1 July - a day that aims to inspire, connect and share business knowledge. Run jointly by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Porirua City Council, BizFest 2025: Kōpū i te pae - Light up the Horizon celebrates the courage of those who seek new business opportunities, the wisdom of those who navigate uncertain times, and the collective resilience and strength of our people. 1 July will provide opportunities to engage in three key areas over the course of the day, with speakers, panel discussions and other kōrero: - What's on the economic horizon for our region and city - How business leaders are navigating uncertain economic conditions - Seizing opportunities during times of change and the key ingredients for innovation and success. Key speakers include Animation Research Ltd's Ben Taylor, Infometrics chief executive and principal economist Brad Olsen, and software engineer, director of Fibre Fale, Young New Zealander of the year and Porirua's own Eteroa Lafaele. More will be announced soon. Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Pou Ohanga Boyd Scirkovich will open BizFest with an overview of the first Economic Development and Investment Strategy for the Rūnanga. "We are excited to partner with the Council to bring BizFest to our whānau and community," he says. "The event is an opportunity to shine a light on local businesses doing amazing things. We are surrounded by abundant potential here in Porirua and have unique talents within our diverse communities that thrive on the global stage. We hope Bizfest provides the opportunity for people to come together to support each other and explore new areas of collaboration." Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, who has a background in business, says the event offers plenty to Porirua employers, business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, new and established businesspeople, and anyone wanting to be inspired. "This will be an amazing day - what a fantastic opportunity for the business sector, which has experienced challenging times of late, to listen, share and connect," she says. "Porirua is a place to do business and that's highlighted by large and medium-sized businesses establishing themselves here recently, along with our small traders that keep our city humming. Our city is always moving forward and I'm excited about BizFest showing off what we have now, what's coming, and the innovation we're seeing."
