Te Māngai Kaiārahi
The Voice of Leadership – Growing Influence, Inspiring Change
A two day conference for those in leadership roles and those aspiring to lead
3/4 September 2026
Step into a space where your leadership voice is heard, valued, and empowered. This two-day event brings together middle and aspiring leaders from across Aotearoa to strengthen leadership capability, build meaningful connections, and be inspired by those leading bold change in education.
Te Māngai Kaiārahi honours the vital role you play — leading with courage, heart, and clarity of purpose. You’re making a powerful difference every day for your ākonga, your staff, and your wider communities. Let’s grow that influence, together.
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 of $244 or $275 for Superior room (single occupancy)
Just quote LLNZ2026 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 3 September | FRIDAY 4 September |
|---|---|
| From 8.30am Registration /Coffee
Welcome to Te Māngai Kaiārahi: The Voice of Leadership Conference MC Pio Terei (MNZM) |
8.30am Coffee |
| 9am-10.15am Welby Ings | 8.45-9.45am Sir Ian Taylor Innovation in AI |
| 10-11am Renee Smith | |
| 10.15-10.45am MORNING TEA | 11-11.30am MORNING TEA |
| 10.45am-12pm Arnika Macphail | 11.30am-12.30pm Dan Te Whenua Walker |
| 12pm -1 pm LUNCH | 1pm Poroporoaki |
| 1pm-2.15pm David Galbraith | |
| 2.30pm Free time for Wellbeing activities |
