[News] TEDx is Returning to Auckland This Year

With an initial line-up of top New Zealand and international talent secured, TEDxAuckland has announced it will be returning to the city for its third consecutive year this August.

Designed to inspire Aucklanders through storytelling, sustainable-thinking and innovation, this year’s think-fest will be held on Saturday, 16 August at the Aotea Centre. The event will celebrate the resilience and courage of individuals who are making the world a better place through this year’s theme, Ascending.

Amongst the 10 speakers already secured for the event are Nelson Mandela’s former chief of security, Rory Steyn;  New Zealand adventurer and author, Mike Allsop; and sustainability expert Rebecca Mills, who has been working with Sir Richard Branson and Derek Handley at The B Team.

TEDxAuckland organiser, Elliott Blade, aims to build on the momentum of the previous two events and further strengthen the relationship between New Zealand and the TEDx platform.

“Since TEDxAuckland launched, the event has started to introduce the idea of TED at a local level, and has focused on kiwi thinkers and world-changing ideas. This year we are adding a selection of international speakers to the mix.”

“With further speakers to be announced over the next month, this year’s event is looking to be one of the best yet,” says Blade.

Speakers already confirmed in this year’s line-up include:

Rory Steyn – Nelson Mandela’s former chief of security

Matt Stone – Award-winning Executive Chef at Greenhouse, a Perth-based restaurant focusing on sustainability and zero-waste

Vaughan Rowsell – CEO of Vend, an award-winning online retail POS for brick and mortar stores

Urzila Carlson – Award-winning stand-up comedian

Luke Nola – CEO of production company Luke Nola and Friends, creating inspiring, engaging and educational content for kids around the globe

Mike Allsop – Inspiring kiwi adventurer who has survived a plane crash and run 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents. He recently returned from a marathon around Mt Everest

Rebecca Mills – Self-described ‘Bruce Lee of sustainability strategy’, currently works with Sir Richard Branson at The B Team putting people and planet alongside profit

Catherine Bell – Founder of Garden to Table Trust that educates children to grow and harvest, cook and share good simple food

John Boone – Rhythm Interactive founder, an interactive percussion business for the corporate events industry

Rachel Callander – Award winning NZ Wedding and Portrait photographer who has just produced Super Power Baby Project, a photographic art book due for launch in August 2014

TEDxAuckland will be taking place at the Aotea Centre on Saturday August 16, 2014 between 10:00am-6:00pm.

The complete speaker line-up will be announced mid-July.

For ticketing information, please visit Ticketmaster or TEDxAuckland.com.

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