KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
We are still finalising speakers for the Conference. They will appear here as we lock them in.
Monique Fiso
Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui, Samoa
Monique Fiso is a chef, writer and visual artist.
She is known for her contribution to the revitalisation of Māori and Pasifika cuisine, and for breaking down barriers in the culinary world. She is fiercely passionate about cooking with fire, foraging, kai motuhake, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.
With over two decades of experience, Monique continues to elevate her craft. Today, she runs a culinary creative with her partner, Katie Monteith. A formidable team, Monique and Katie have gained an international reputation for their storytelling through kai.
Zane Pocklington
Founded DC Academy in 2003, Keeping at-risk youth in sport and out of Jail, Culture lead for NZ Māori Rugby League. Coach NZ 16s, Work with the Warriors 20s and pathways program. Roosters & Dogs.
Co-founder Generational Impact Trust, DC trade Pathways, DC Construction Ltd.
Serve on the Kelston Boys’ High School Board, currently protecting our school against a hostel take over and standing up for local voice.
Alongside that, he has spent 20+ years as an Account managing &b solutions consultant in the corporate world. But at the core of what he does is all about helping young men find direction, purpose, and the belief they can lead change not just in sport, but in life.
INVITED SPEAKERS
We are still finalising speakers for the Conference. They will appear here as we lock them in.
Lucas Parkinson
Executive chef and owner, Aryeh, Piha
38-year-old chef and restaurateur Lucas Parkinson burst onto the New Zealand dining scene with the opening of his debut restaurant Ode in Wānaka in 2017. The restaurant quickly gained a solid reputation for inventive and delicious fare showcasing the region’s fantastic produce and was arguably the country’s most sustainable high-end restaurant.
Within its first year of opening, Ode was awarded a spot in the Top 100 list in Cuisine Good Food Awards, followed by a spot in the Top 50 and one hat in the 2019 awards, which it maintained until its closure in 2021. Lucas is an entrepreneur and chef who navigates the path between commercial success and soul-fulfillment, delivering world class dining experiences that benefit both planet and community and tell a story of the here and now.
Nikolai Solakof
After finding a vintage jacket from a long-forgotten brand called Oscar Eide, former builder Nikolai Solakof went on a five-year journey to bring the company back and revive a small slice of New Zealand's fashion history… keeping it New Zealand made in the modern day.
Join him as he shares the trials, tribulations, and practical tips for turning your hobby into a functioning business while riding the waves of local production in a global economy.