2025 Hillary Innovation Summit
Earlybird extended to 31 January 2025!
Earlybird Rate Extended: We are excited to have over 100 Fellows attending the 2025 Hillary Innovation Summit, plus NZ innovation ecosystem leaders, from across government, Māori organisations, and the philanthropy and investment sectors, and more. We want to support as many of you as possible to be there, so we are extending the Earlybird rate to 31 January! Spaces are filling up so be sure to register today to secure your spot, and save $500!
The Hillary Institute & Edmund Hillary Fellowship are hosting the 2025 Hillary Innovation Summit on 17-18 February 2025 at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The 2025 Summit is bringing together up to 300 local and international leaders in person over two days to explore how we can collectively build Aotearoa NZ as a basecamp for a better world and where we can lead globally.
It will convene Hillary Laureates, Edmund Hillary Fellows, iwi and Māori organisations, local and global investors, entrepreneurs, system designers, and public and private sector leaders.
At the Summit:
• Gain insights from global leaders who have made markets, redesigned systems and influenced the world for good
• Explore what’s coming in the ‘Future of …’ forums, and opportunities for NZ to lead
• Collaborate on how we can build Aotearoa NZ’s innovation ecosystem together
• Identify pathways to action including in climate and planetary health
Get your Earlybird ticket today to secure your spot and save $500! Spaces are limited. Earlybird closes 31 January 2025.
The two-day Summit programme will feature world-leading international keynotes, innovative panel discussions, EHF Transformative Venture demos, networking, collaboration opportunities and more. With te ao Māori, wellbeing and creativity interwoven throughout, participants will also get the chance to engage in breakout forums focused on the Summit’s key themes:
2025 Summit Programme
Future Of
Showcasing opportunities where NZ can adapt and lead, including the future of:
• regenerative finance and new models of capital
• mobility and transportation
• space and aerospace
• education
• mental health and AI
Building NZ’s Innovation Economy
Exploring how we attract talent, investment and connections to scale globally and generate sustainable value for people and planet, including:
• unlocking capital and capability
• the Māori innovation economy
• supporting NZ founders to go global
• addressing limiting beliefs
Climate Innovation and Planetary Health
Grounding in te ao Māori, catalysing solutions for how Aotearoa NZ can decarbonise and protect taiao/nature, including:
• Energy transition: renewable solutions
• Climate adaptation and resilient communities
• Regenerate nature and halt biodiversity loss
Programme Outline
DAY ONE
Monday 17 February 2025
8.00am
Registrations Open
Summit Opening & Formal Welcome
9.00am
Hillary Family Address
Morning
Opening International Keynote: His Excellency Anote Tong
Opening Aotearoa NZ Keynote: Our Innovation Economy
Panel Discussion: Challenges & Opportunities
to Lead Globally
New Horizons of AI and Mobility
Lunch
Afternoon
Breakout Forums 1
Breakout Forums 2
EHF Quickfire Transformative Venture Demos
Day One Summit Dinner
(limited spaces, get your dinner ticket)
7.00pm
Networking Drinks
5.30pm
Day One Close
Tuesday 18 February 2025
DAY TWO
9.00am
Summit Day 2 Open
International Keynote: Aimée Christensen
Morning
International Keynote: Geoff
Davis
Breakout Forums 3
Breakout Forums 4
Lunch
Breakout Forums 5
Afternoon
Ecosystem Collaboration
Summit Closing Keynote
5.oopm
Summit End
Summit Hosts
Ngāti Apa, Ngā Wairiki, Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Paoa, Kai Tahu, Tumatakōkiri, Irish & Welsh
Mikaere Paki is an inspiring facilitator and leader who has welcomed over 250 EHF Fellows into Aotearoa NZ at our Welcome Experiences. He is celebrated for his ability to create connections between people, emphasising the importance of celebrating who we are before what we do. Many Fellows say their view of the world has been transformed by the way in which Mikaere has introduced them to the te ao Māori worldview, with grace, generosity and insight.
Weaving tikanga Māori into all aspects of his work and championing the normalisation of Te Reo me ōna Tikanga across Aotearoa NZ, Mikaere has over 20 years of leadership experience in the education sector, specialising in Māori strategy design, development, implementation, and engagement.
Mikaere Paki - Senior Executive
Melissa Chan-Green - Journalist and Media Presenter
Melissa Chan-Green is an award-winning journalist with two decades of experience in broadcasting across New Zealand, the UK, and Europe. She was most recently the co-host of TV3’s AM Show. Over the course of her career, Melissa has reported from some of the world’s most pivotal historical moments, including the Arab Spring uprisings and the landmark Paris Agreement negotiations. Melissa is especially interested in the intersection of media, technology, and the future of storytelling, and is currently working on a project with the education sector.
International Keynote Speakers
His Excellency Anote Tong - 2012 Hillary Laureate
Impact of Climate in the South Pacific - and Pathways to Act
Former President of the Republic of Kiribati, His Excellency Anote Tong is a decorated climate advocate, current Chair of the Pacific Elders Voice (PEV) group and a former Board Member and Distinguished Fellow of Conservation International. He has been awarded the SunHak Peace Prize and has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is the 2012 Hillary Laureate and currently holds the Peter Benchley Ocean Award, as well as others, for his work on climate change and ocean conservation. Anote is a leading voice on the impact of climate in the South Pacific. Anote will speak to the lived experience of Pacific countries facing climate devastation, analyse geopolitical trends and the power of global cooperation across indigenous and western cultures.
New Horizons in Sustainable Mobility
Adam is a recognised global leader in startup and sustainable mobility investment. He is currently Chairman and Managing Partner of UP Partners, which invests in pioneering entrepreneurs and technologies that help move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer, and at lower cost. In 2021, UP Partners closed a $230 million early stage VC fund dedicated to enabling technologies for sustainable mobility, such as electric aviation, autonomous transportation, advanced robotics and aerospace. Adam also hosts the UP Summit which brings together the world’s most innovative minds to rethink the future of transportation.
Adam Grosser - Edmund Hillary Fellow
Aimée Christensen - 2011 Hillary Laureate
Renewable Energy Transition
CEO of Christensen Global Strategies and the founding Executive Director of the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience, Aimée has 25 years of experience in climate change and sustainability strategy. She works at the intersection of global policy, investment, industry and innovation to develop solutions for a strong clean global economy, healthy communities and protection of our natural resources. Her clients have included the Clinton Global Initiative, Duke Energy, the Elders, FEMSA, the Global Ocean Commission, Microsoft, Ogilvy, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Swiss Re, the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Foundation and Virgin Unite.
Geoff Davis - Chair, Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) & Former CEO Sorenson Impact Institute
Regenerative Finance and New Models of Capital
Geoff is a multi-time founder/CEO and impact investor using entrepreneurship and investment to help people and the planet. His organisations have invested in more than 200 high-impact companies globally, lent more than $3.5 billion to over 14 million small businesses worldwide, and helped over 12 million families work their way out of poverty. As Senior Advisor, and former CEO, of Sorenson Impact Institute, part of the Sorenson Impact Group, Geoff advises families, entrepreneurs and organisations on creative use of capital. He chairs SOCAP, sits on MIT’s Solve fund investment committee, and is Senior Advisor at Cicero Group. Previously, he co-founded Cicero Impact Capital, was CEO of Unitus, a microfinance pioneer, and led the Perpetual Education Fund, enabling the creation of 50,000 small businesses in 100 countries.
Sir Peter Gluckman - President of the International Science Council
How does New Zealand Move Forward: Thinking Long-Term
Sir Peter is an internationally renowned science leader, currently serving as the President of the International Science Council and Distinguished University Professor at the University of Auckland, where he leads Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures. Last year Sir Peter was appointed by the Government to lead a review on strengthening Aotearoa NZ's science, innovation and technology system, including challenges, aspirations and opportunities for growth. He was Aotearoa NZ’s first Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister (2009-2018), and the Foundation Chair of the International Network of Government Science Advice (2014-2021). Sir Peter has made many significant contributions to science policy and science diplomacy globally. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious honours, including the Rutherford Medal, the Singapore Presidential Science and Technology Medal, and the American Association for Advancement of Sciences Science Diplomacy Award.
