2026 NZCCI Conference Programme
Explore the full conference programme below, including all sessions, speakers and key timings. This page will be kept up to date, so please check back for any changes.
*Please note this schedule is subject to change.
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Wed 20 May |
Activity |
Location |
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11.00 - 1.00pm |
Registration Desk Open |
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1.00 - 1.20pm |
Conference Opening & Welcome! |
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Melanie Short - Rotorua Business Chamber | CEO |
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Paul Ingram - NZCCI Chairperson & Rotorua Business Chamber President |
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Andrew Fairgray - 2degrees | Chief Business Officer |
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1.20 - 2.30pm |
Alliance Partners - introduction and around the room |
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2.30 - 3.30pm |
Keynote Speaker - Liam Dann | The Economy of Everything |
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3.30 - 4.00pm |
Afternoon Tea & Alliance Partners Expo |
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4.00pm |
Day One conference concludes |
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5.00pm |
Meet at the Novotel foyer for transfer to Te Puia for the Welcome Function |
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5.20 - 7.30pm |
Powhiri then transfer to Pohutu Geyser Marquee for canapes and drinks |
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7.30 - 9.00pm |
Redwoods Treewalk |
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Back to the hotel by 9pm-ish |
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Thu 21 May |
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7.30 - 8.15am |
NetWalking - around Rotorua Lakefront, Wai Ariki Spa, Government Gardens and Rotorua Museum (hosted by Melanie Short) |
Meet in hotel foyer |
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8.30 - 8.45am |
Day Two - outline of the day | Melanie Short |
Novotel |
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8.45 - 9.15am |
Andrew Fairgray - 2Degrees | Driving Business Forward: Strategy, Innovation and the AI Opportunity |
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9.15 - 10.00am |
Steve Wilson - NZ Product Accelerator | Accelerating Growth for a Stronger Aotearoa |
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10.00 - 10.30am |
Morning Tea & Alliance Partners Expo |
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10.30 - 11.15am |
Jacky James - The Shine Collective | The Reputation Firewall: Protecting Trust in a Cyber World |
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11.30 - 12.30pm |
WORKSHOP: Keynote Speaker - Masami Sato - B1G1 | The Global Business of Giving |
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12.30-1.15pm |
Lunch Break |
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1.15 - 2.15pm |
WORKSHOP: Unconference session with a twist |
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2.15 - 2.45pm |
Afternoon Tea & Alliance Partners Expo |
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2.45 - 3.30pm |
Kiri Hannifin - Air NZ | Strategic Update & Future Growth |
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3.30pm |
Day Two conference concludes for all except South Island Chambers (see below) |
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3.30 - 4.30pm |
South Island Chambers - Election event catchup - hosted by Leeann Watson & Tait Dench |
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3.30 - 6.00pm |
Free time to explore Rotorua - click here for information about what to do |
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6.00 - 10.00pm |
Gala Dinner | Terrace Kitchen - 1029 Tutanekai Street (just a few doors down from the Novotel towards the lake front - click here for map) |
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Fri 22 May |
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8.15 - 8.25am |
Day Three - outline of the day | Melanie Short |
Novotel |
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8.25 - 8.45am |
Address and Q&A with Hon. Barbara Edmonds | Finance Spokesperson for the Labour Party |
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8.50 - 9.15am |
Address from Dean Ford | Policy Operation Lead, National Fuel Response | MBIE update |
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9.15 - 9.45am |
Morning Tea & Alliance Partners Expo |
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9.45 - 10.00am |
Address from Hon. Cameron Brewer | Minister of Small Business and Manufacturing | Backing SMEs and Manufacturers for Growth |
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| 10.00 - 10.30am | AI Session - Matt Browning & Stephen Johnson | Incredible Software | |
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10.30 - 11.30am |
WORKSHOP: Address from Hon. Louise Upston | Minister of Social Development & Employment | ChamberWorks Workshop |
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11.30 - 12.00pm |
AI Session - Matt Browning & Stephen Johnson | Incredible Software |
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12.00 - 12.15pm |
Conference Closing Address - Melanie Short & Paul Ingram (NZCCI Chair) |
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