Programme

Programme updated 3 July and is subject to change.

Time	Session
4.00 - 5.00pm	New Zealand Society of Actuaries - Annual General Meeting
5.00 - 7.00pm	Welcome function Napier War Memorial Centre Kindly sponsored by Hannover Re

Time	Session
8.30 - 8.55am	Mihi Whakatau Conference opening Lee-Ann du Toit, President, New Zealand Society of Actuaries
9.00 - 10.00am	Keynote: Turning chaos into opportunity AI, Robotics, deepfake science, geopolitical unrest, labour shortages and social change – is it all too hard to keep up? Techniques from a futurist and technology entrepreneur for finding opportunities for growth and opportunity out of today’s uncertainties. Learn how to identify patterns amidst the disorder and leverage them to drive positive change. Melissa Clark-Reynolds
10.00 - 10.30am	Morning tea
10.30 - 11.30am	Concurrent session 1a	Concurrent session 1b	Concurrent session 1c	Concurrent session 1d
11.30am - 12.30pm	Climate risk - panel Join us for an insightful discussion on how climate change impacts New Zealand. Our guest speakers include Dr. Peter Gibson from NIWA, who will explore the use of AI in understanding the physical impacts of climate change. Dr Andy Reisinger from the Climate Commission will outline the challenges and opportunities New Zealand faces in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, James Hughes from Tonkin + Taylor will provide insights into what these changes mean for the population of Aotearoa New Zealand. This session will be chaired by Sarah Elsey from Finity, who will guide us through this important conversation.
12.30 - 1.30pm	Lunch
1.30 - 3.00pm	Concurrent session 2a	Concurrent session 2b	Concurrent session 2c	Concurrent session 2d
3.00 - 3.30pm	Afternoon tea
3.30 - 4.30pm	Concurrent session 3a	Concurrent session 3b	Concurrent session 3c	Concurrent session 3d
4.30 - 5.30pm	Invited speaker presentation
6.00 - 10.00pm	Monday night social Mission Estate Winery Kindly sponsored by Munich Re

Time	Session
8.40 - 8.55am	Welcome to day two Helen Mexted, Chief Executive, New Zealand Society of Actuaries
9.00 - 10.00am	Keynote: Building resilience Prepare to be captivated as he shares his extraordinary journey of success and the invaluable lessons he learned from embracing failure. Dave represents the Māori and Pasifika voices, bringing their perspectives to the forefront. As a remarkable individual and passionate community leader from South Auckland, he tirelessly advocates for families in need, making a profound impact on the lives of many. His dedication and commitment serve as a true inspiration for all. Are leaders born, or are they made? Dave grew up surrounded by gang leaders who inspired their people to be successful in their pursuits, but their focus wasn’t always on law-abiding initiatives. Starting with his high school days training to be a future NRL rugby league player, Dave has done the hard yards in leadership. He has learned what makes great leaders, and what inspires others to achieve great things for themselves. Dave’s unconventional start in life has enabled him to think of different ways to achieve success, and to embrace failure as a teacher. His willingness to be vulnerable and to ask for help shows his strength as a leader, and as a human being. His relentless positivity to change lives has made a difference to thousands of people across New Zealand, and he’s just getting warmed up. Dave Letele
10.00 - 10.30am	Morning tea
10.30 - 11.30am	Diversity - panel Come prepared to challenge your thinking on what Diversity and Inclusion really means. A conversation that goes beyond “box-ticking” to explore authentic inclusivity through the many lenses of diversity.
11.30am - 12.30pm	Concurrent session 4a	Concurrent session 4b	Concurrent session 4c	Concurrent session 4d
12.30 - 1.30pm	Lunch
12.30 - 5.30pm	Tuesday afternoon activities
7.00 - 11.00pm	Conference gala dinner Napier War Memorial Centre (Conference Centre) Kindly sponsored by Deloitte

Time	Session
8.40 - 8.55am	Welcome to day three
9.00 - 10.00am	Keynote: Old ideas for uncertain times There's no doubt that the last few years have been difficult to say the least. Then—fresh out of a pandemic—we hit wars, the rise of AI, recessions, floods and more. So how are we to respond to this seemingly never-ending onslaught of constant change and challenge? The good news is that while the issues may be complex, the way forward is simple. Nigel Latta
10.00 - 10.30am	Morning tea
10.30 - 11.30am	Invited speaker presentation
11.30am - 12.30pm	Concurrent session 5a	Concurrent session 5b	Concurrent session 5c	Concurrent session 5d
12.30 - 1.00pm	Conference close
1.00 - 2.00pm	Lunch