Leading What Matters Most
“Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu”
Adorn the bird with feathers so it may fly
A two day conference for those in leadership roles and those aspiring to lead
2 /3 September 2027, Grand Millennium, Auckland
When we invest in people we give them the feathers to fly.
In the complexity and busyness of school life, great leadership comes from focusing on what matters most — people.
This conference will explore how we grow the capability, confidence, and potential of those around us.
Guided by the whakataukī Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu, we’ll reflect on the role leaders play in creating the conditions for others to succeed.
Join leaders from across Aotearoa to connect, learn, and be inspired as we explore practical leadership strategies that strengthen teams, empower others, and make a lasting difference.
Because when we invest in people, we give them the feathers to fly.
Here’s what some of last years attendees had to say…
I’ve just got home from the absolutely incredible Thrive 25 conference. It was utterly transformational. Thank you all a thousand times for facilitating this event and bringing together such an epic collection of speakers. Ngā mihi maioha. Literacy Leader in a High School
Kia ora, I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for last week. Amazing speakers that built on the speaker before them. I left energised and felt like I got something from each presenter. I do not always feel like that when I leave PLD. DP
Thank you Faye for an amazing couple of days. Both Taryn and I thoroughly enjoyed our time and listening to those amazing speakers. Leadership team
Need accommodation: Want to stay at the Grand Millennium venue, we have a special room bed/breakfast rate
Just quote NZLEARN27 when booking
Here’s how to book:
- Click on this link for the hotel’s website Grand Millennium Auckland
- Select “Book Now” Enter in your check in/out dates on the right hand side.
- Select “advanced search” Load the promo Code into the promo Code cell under “Use Promo/Offer Code” to get the negotiated group rates
- Select your room and proceed to check out
| THURSDAY 2 September | FRIDAY 3 September |
|---|---|
| From 8.30am Registration /Coffee
Welcome to “Leading What Matters Most” Conference MC Pio Terei (MNZM) |
8.30am Coffee |
| 9am-10.15am Eteroa Lafaele | 8.45am-9.45am Julia Grace |
| 10-11am Ellen-Joan Ford Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose Leadership | |
| 10.15-10.45am MORNING TEA | 11am-11.30am MORNING TEA |
| 10.45am-12pm Bex Rose
Leading What Matters: AI as Your Strategic Partner for 2027 and Beyond |
11.30am-12.30pm Marcus Akuhata-Brown |
| 12pm -1 pm LUNCH | 1pm Poroporoaki |
| 1pm-2.15pm Jase Williams | |
| 2.30pm Free time for Wellbeing activities |
