Friday 8th August 2025

Registration 9:00 am

9:15 - 10:00

Karakia & Welcome

MC Mr H, Matua Mark and Whaea Di!

This year we join forces and balance the stage out with different educational leaders mixed in with fun and connection.

DJ BB will keep the vibe going with his tunes and yes those teachers of yours will be busting some moves for the 2025 title of Bust-a-Move Battle: Staff Edition dance off!

One of our Taranaki kapahaka ropu will open our special day.

10:05 - 10:35

Allenzo Tamatoa

We are proud to welcome Allenzo Tamatoa as the keynote speaker for the Taranaki Youth Conference 2025 a powerful voice for Indigenous leadership, youth empowerment, and cultural revitalisation.

Allenzo is a dynamic changemaker of Niuean descent who has spent the past decade at the forefront of community-led development, cultural education, and rangatahi leadership initiatives across Aotearoa and the Pacific. Deeply rooted in kaupapa Māori values, Allenzo’s work is driven by a belief in the potential of young people to lead change when they are seen, heard, and supported to stand in their identity with pride.

From leading transformative youth wānanga and international cultural exchanges, to consulting on national education and wellbeing strategies, Allenzo is known for his ability to connect across generations with heart, humour, and humility. His powerful storytelling weaves together ancestral wisdom and contemporary realities, inspiring audiences to think critically, act boldly, and lead with aroha.

Whether he’s guiding young leaders through ancestral navigation practices, developing social impact projects, or facilitating restorative kaupapa in schools, Allenzo’s presence ignites purpose. His keynote address will challenge and uplift, inviting us all to step into leadership that honours our past, speaks to the present, and shapes a thriving future.

10:35- 10:40

Interaction Zone

Join us for some fun and prizes both with our online learners and those in person

10:45 - 11:05

Morgana Watson

Founder of 4Phase_Aotearoa & Gaming Innovator

Taranaki | Te Atiawa | Ngāpuhi | Te Atihau nui a Papaarangi

Morgana is a game developer, cultural practitioner, and PhD candidate who builds Māori stories into interactive media. Her latest project is Tipua: The Wrath of Ngārara, the world's first Kaupapa Māori tabletop RPG. In Tipua, players become powerful Pou-Huatau, facing ancient monsters and restoring balance to the world using a new game mechanic aptly named “Paki-Maero”.

Through her PhD, Morgana is researching how interactive media can visualise Māori Futurism. As a Kaipatu, a practitioner of Māori martial arts and weaponry, the duality of ancient art and digital projects bring her research together in a balance of old and new.

She runs 4Phase Aotearoa, a Māori creative studio using design, games, and media to bring kaupapa Māori into the future. Her goal? To help rangatahi see that you can bring your reo, your whakapapa, your pūrākau to the industry and build worlds that you love for the betterment of you and your people.

Morgana and her team have traveled nationally and internationally to present their work at numerous conferences, expos, and festivals - including PAX Aus, SXSW Sydney, China Joy, and the NZGDC.

Break 11:10 - 11:40

NPBHS Cultural Group

11:45 - 12:05

Jake Bailey

Transformational Speaker

Aged 18, Jake Bailey was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Now in remission, his journey is teaching others how to live.

He is an internationally acclaimed educator on resilience, the youngest #1 bestselling author in New Zealand history, and as a Commonwealth Study Conference alumnus has been recognised as one of the most promising emerging leaders across the Commonwealth. Since being announced in remission in 2016, Jake has shared his work on resilience with over 100,000 people, across more than 40 cities, to audiences of 3 to 3,000, aged from 8 to 80.

Jake’s audiences have ranged from elite athletes to kids in outback towns, Fortune 500 CEOs to prison inmates, foreign governments to retirement homes.

For more information click here

Sports Panel

12:10 - 12:25

🏆 Sports Panel – Real Talk with Kiwi Legends

Get ready to meet some of Aotearoa’s incredible sporting men and women who are doing amazing things on and off the field. From national champions to community heroes, this panel brings together athletes who know what it takes to push through challenges, stay focused, and represent our country with pride.

You’ll get the chance to hear their stories, their biggest lessons, and what fuels their passion then jump on the mic and ask your own questions on the couch. Whether you’re into rugby, netball, waka ama or skateboarding, this is your chance to connect with real role models who are levelling up every day.

12:30 - 1:05

Lunch Break - Live Bands

1:10 - 1:40

Dr. Michelle Dickinson (Nano Girl)

Dr. Michelle Dickinson (MNZM) is a force of nature in the world of nanotechnology and materials engineering. Her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and empowering others.

For over two decades, Michelle has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, tackling challenges across various fields - from medical applications to cutting-edge solutions for startups and established corporations.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a lifelong love for science, Michelle established New Zealand's only nanomechanical testing laboratory. Here, she dives deep into the intricate world of the minuscule, helping companies translate groundbreaking ideas into tangible realities. Her expertise is highly sought after by investors and venture capitalists who rely on her insights to navigate the high-tech investment landscape. However, Michelle emphasises that true success in technology transcends the brilliance of the innovations themselves; it hinges on clear communication of science and fostering diversity within engineering teams.

Michelle's personal story is one of triumph. Having overcome challenging circumstances through the power of education, she co-founded Nanogirl Labs with a mission: to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) not just understandable, but truly engaging for everyone. Nanogirl Labs is more than an educational platform; it's a movement that ignites a passion for science. Through captivating content and interactive learning experiences, Michelle empowers individuals from all backgrounds to not only understand technology but also become creators in this exciting field. Initiatives like the bestselling "The Kitchen Science Cookbook" and STEM education programs in the Pacific Islands are testaments to her dedication to breaking down barriers and fostering scientific exploration.

1:45 - 2:00

🎤 Final words & Future Actions

To wrap up an epic day of inspiration, creativity and connection, we welcome Allenzo Tamatoa back to the stage to leave us with some powerful final words. His closing kōrero will help us reflect on what we’ve learned, who we’ve become, and where we’re heading next.

Then it’s over to our amazing MCs, who will help spotlight some of the brilliant ideas and action plans YOU’VE come up with during the day. Whether it’s a project, a challenge, or a change you want to make at your school — this is your moment to share and celebrate what’s next.

We can’t wait to see how you Level UP and lead the way in your own communities!

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