Theme: Into the Unknown

Join us in exploring unfamiliar aspects of the world and ourselves, with our theme 'Into the Unknown'. Stepping beyond familiar ideas and perspectives, this year is about embracing ideas that challenge your thinking or what we think we know. Encouraging a shift from the mundane to the extraordinary, we dare you to challenge what you know, question the unasked, and venture into a journey of endless possibilities!

Faculty of Engineering, the University of Auckland
20 Symonds Street, Auckland Central
Auckland, Auckland, 1010
New Zealand

Daniel Kilmister

Business Professional

Daniel Kilmister is part of the commercial team at Zeil and a former student at the University of Auckland. He will discuss the non-linear paths to career success, emphasizing key principles to manifest when navigating jobs that don't exist yet and exploring an uncertain job marketplace. Alongside this, Daniel will delve into key career trends derived from research, expanding on "how to make educated guesses about what’s shaping the future of work." His talk will ultimately provide a robust framework for tackling job search and career growth, a critical phase for many.

Hannah Koumakis

Entreprenuer

Hannah Koumakis is a storyteller and entrepreneur who loves sharing her life experiences and practical tips with the world. She's also the creative force behind Dear The Series, a series of guided journals that help people explore themselves through thoughtful prompts. Hannah's entrepreneurial spirit doesn't stop there—she's also founded Dear Community, a non profit organisation that is designed to bringing women together across New Zealand, Dear Brides, New Zealand’s first wedding content creation service and Seven Content Studio, a digital marketing agency. Hannah is also an actor, with a dream to work on TV productions and film sets. Despite juggling multiple things, Hannah loves being surrounded by friends, journaling, writing and being with her family.

Henrieta Tornyai

Musician

Henika is a Tāmaki Makaurau-based music producer who creates unique music with native Aotearoa birdsong, featuring the Tui on beats, Kakapo on bass, Kokako on harmony, and Korimako on melodic hooks, all blended with her lush vocals and theremin.

Matthew Prance

Mechanical Engineering Student

Matthew Prance, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Auckland, is carving out a niche in Aotearoa’s aerospace sector. With a strong foundation in engineering principles and hands-on experience in Free-Space Optical Communications research, Matt is deeply committed to advancing sustainable practices in space. His work in this cutting-edge field has given him a unique perspective on the urgent problem of space debris. In his talk, Matt will delve into the growing issue of space debris, exploring its potential to disrupt everything from satellite communications to global security. He will highlight the critical need for innovative solutions and responsible stewardship of outer space, emphasizing how this challenge could impact us all in ways we might not yet fully realize. Through his insights, Matt aims to inspire a new generation of engineers and thinkers to take action for a sustainable future in space.

Shan Iyer

Social Scientist + Author

Shan, a speaker at TEDx UoA 2024, is an insightful voice on the future of society. Born in India and migrating to New Zealand at the age of four, Shan brings a unique perspective shaped by diverse cultural experiences. With a BA in Creative Writing from AUT, Shan is a self-published author, social scientist, poet, aspiring novelist, and musician, who is passionate about reimagining the socio-political and economic systems that shape our world. Shan's talk will explore the potential of postmodern society, advocating for critical self-awareness and global cooperation. The goal is to inspire others to envision and work towards a future that breaks free from the limitations of the past. In addition to academic and creative pursuits, Shan enjoys writing genre fiction, including Arabian Science Fantasy and dystopian Science Fiction. Shan also creates content for a YouTube channel, sharing ideas and creativity with a broader audience.