TELL A BETTER STORY
The Wairarapa Business Summit is back for 2025! Join us for an action-packed day of inspirational speakers with motivating stories, tools, tips and strategies to ensure the success of your business.
FEATURING:
Headlining the summit is renowned psychologist and media personality Nigel Latta, The Business Brain. Nigel’s particular gift is blending real-world pragmatism, the latest psychological research, and humour in an engaging and thought-provoking manner that has relevance to a wide range of audiences and organisations.
Nigel’s specific interests include the psychology of success, dealing with difficult people, mental toughness, decision making skills, leadership, the process of change in an organisation, the ˜myth’ of happiness and stress management.
THURSDAY 31 JULY 9.00 AM
WAIRARAPA EVENTS CENTRE
50 HOLLOWAY STREET, CARTERTON
Kirsten Lunman & Natalie Ferguson - Powrsuit
For as long as they can remember, Nat and Kirsten of Powrsuit have challenged the status quo. In 2018, they co-founded the investing platform Hatch and rewrote the wealth stories of two hundred thousand New Zealanders.
Five years and one tech exit later, they put their heads up and were shocked to see little change in the representation of women in leadership positions. It was 2022, and women were at the helm of just eight percent of large companies and occupied less than 30% of board seats.
…Time for a new challenge!
Brad Olsen - Infometrics
New Zealand’s very own ‘Boy-Wonder’ Chief Economist, economics interpreter, CEO, and wonder-boy of Infometrics, needs little introduction.
Brad tells it like it is with lightning-fast analysis on everything economic in Wairarapa, from where we’ve come from to where we are heading, whilst highlighting the opportunities to be seized!
Julia Jones - Agri-Women's Development Trust
Julia Jones of the Agri Women’s Development Trust, is a dynamic force of nature who blends sharp business acumen with an infectious sense of humor.
Known as a “Dealer of Hope,” Julia’s career spans financial markets, rural banking, KPMG, and NZX. Wherever she is she’s a champion of sustainable change. Julia’s life philosophy—”get on with it”—reflects her resilience and ability to inspire others to tackle challenges head-on.
Julia brings warmth, wit, and wisdom to every stage she graces. Buckle up for an engaging session filled with laughter, real talk, and plenty of inspiration!
Millie Blackwell
Commonly known as Mrs Blackwell, Millie and her husband Adam just love to put her name on things. Their retail stores include Mrs Blackwell’s Village Bookshop, and Blackwell & Sons along with a NZ made greeting card company, Blackwell Press.
Millie is also involved in Greytown’s Country Village Heaven, a marketing collective of 50+ Main Street businesses who stage Wairarapa’s biggest annual event, the Festival of Christmas, attracting 60,000 visitors each July.
Peter Biggs
Known affectionately as “Biggsy”, Peter is the Chair of Featherston Book town Trust and a key figure in transforming Featherston into an international “book town.” With a background in advertising and arts governance, Peter, alongside his wife Mary, is deeply involved in promoting literacy, arts, and environmental initiatives in Featherston., and across Wairarapa.
Peter was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the arts.
Mihirangi Hollings
Mihirangi Hollings is the Pou Whakahaere (Chief Executive) of Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc. She is also an alumna of the Escalator program, an impact leadership accelerator, and has worked for the Ministry of Education in New Zealand.
Born and bred in the Wairarapa, Mihirangi grew up during the revitalisation of Māori culture, language, and identity. She understands deeply how important it is for stories to be remembered, told, and honoured.
Celia Jaspers
Celia Jaspers is an award-winning director, producer, and editor with over 30 years’ experience in factual and narrative storytelling. She is known for her empowering, heartfelt, and authentic work on major international productions (BBC, HGTV, Animal Planet, CNN) and New Zealand networks like Country Calendar.
Based in Martinborough, Celia is as comfortable directing on set as she is flying a plane or driving her tractor – Red Bands obligatory.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
First In – First Served.
MEMBER* EARY BIRD
$145 +GST
Plus Booking Fee
Use code MEM25 when purchasing member tickets.
80 TICKETS ONLY!
MEMBER* STANDARD
$195 +GST
Plus Booking Fee
Use code MEM25 when purchasing member tickets.
PUBLIC
$345 +GST
Plus Booking Fee
Public Ticket includes membership* to a district wide business association of your choice.
Not a member?
* Member means any paid and current member business of Tupu Ana Masterton, Go Carterton, Martinborough Business Assoc, Featherston Business Engine, or Destination Wairarapa.
The Wairarapa Business Summit as proudly supported by Spark Business Hub Wairarapa, is part of a comprehensive series of initiatives by Business Wairarapa to support the prosperity and growth of businesses across the region.
Work with us
Give us a call on 027 5440 525 or CONTACT US
Business Wairarapa works from the following co-working
hubs in Wairarapa:
3Mile, Main Street, Carterton
51 Jellicoe Street, Martinborough
PO Box 868, Masterton, 5840