Summerfruit New Zealand Conference 2025

Speakers

Te Radar - Master of Ceremonies

With a string of awards, including the country’s highest accolades for television and comedy, Te Radar is one of New Zealand’s most recognised entertainers and presenters. He has an extensive career in documentary making, writing, stage and screen directing, as well as being a celebrated comedian and satirist. Some of the remarkable adventures Te Radar has embarked on include diving with sharks, plunging into the frozen Ross Sea, interviewing Yassar Arafat under the watchful eye of gun-toting Palestinian soldiers, and being stung by a scorpion (in a rather awkward place). His passion for and knowledge of the untold stories of New Zealand history inspired his critically acclaimed 2017 TVNZ series Te Radar 's Chequered Past.

A natural raconteur, Te Radar is a sought-after keynote speaker, awards host, MC and moderator. His diverse talents mean he can host events across a wide range of sectors; agricultural, engineering, science, arts, media, medical, environmental and academic–his versatility is astonishing. The ideal host for panel discussions, onstage interviews and all-round MC duties, Te Radar’s performance is always erudite, witty and well-informed, no matter the forum or format.

Te Radar appears by arrangement with Johnson & Laird Management.

Dr Michelle Dickinson (MNZM)

Dr. Michelle Dickinson (MNZM) is a force of nature in the world of nanotechnology and materials engineering. Her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and empowering others.

For over two decades, Michelle has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, tackling challenges across various fields - from medical applications to cutting-edge solutions for startups and established corporations.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a lifelong love for science, Michelle established New Zealand's only nanomechanical testing laboratory. Here, she dives deep into the intricate world of the minuscule, helping companies translate groundbreaking ideas into tangible realities. Her expertise is highly sought after by investors and venture capitalists who rely on her insights to navigate the high-tech investment landscape. However, Michelle emphasises that true success in technology transcends the brilliance of the innovations themselves; it hinges on clear communication of science and fostering diversity within engineering teams.

Michelle's personal story is one of triumph. Having overcome challenging circumstances through the power of education, she co-founded Nanogirl Labs with a mission: to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) not just understandable, but truly engaging for everyone. Nanogirl Labs is more than an educational platform; it's a movement that ignites a passion for science. Through captivating content and interactive learning experiences, Michelle empowers individuals from all backgrounds to not only understand technology but also become creators in this exciting field. Initiatives like the bestselling "The Kitchen Science Cookbook" and STEM education programs in the Pacific Islands are testaments to her dedication to breaking down barriers and fostering scientific exploration.

Her numerous accolades, including the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, and the Women of Influence Award for Science and Innovation, speak volumes about her impact on science and society.

In a world where technology races forward at breakneck speed, Michelle's guidance becomes even more valuable. She champions curiosity as the driving force behind innovation, demonstrating that exploration fueled by wonder leads to the most meaningful technological advancements. Her story is a powerful narrative of relentless pursuit, transformative education, and the unwavering belief that everyone has the potential to be a creator in the ever-evolving world of technology. Dr. Michelle Dickinson's journey is a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path towards a future brimming with possibility.

Brendan Dooley

Brendan Dooley is one of the World's Top Young Magicians.

Described by The Press as “A New Generation Of Talent Already Snapping The Heels Of Established Acts” he combines his skillset of world-class and never before seen magic with quick wit comedy, insane mind-reading, cheeky pickpocketing and plenty of audience participation to create the ultimate entertainment experience that has made him an audience favourite worldwide!

Brendan constantly travels appearing at events as a featured performer, MC or speaker on luxury cruise ships, at corporate events, conferences, festivals, private events and on touring production shows with his appearances occurring throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the USA.

On top of hundreds of live appearances under his belt, Brendan has been awarded as “NZ’s Top Comedy Magician” being the youngest ever recipient, starred on the world’s longest running magic show for the past 5 years and more recently Brendan was headlining at the prestigious “World Famous Magic Castle” in Hollywood, California which is the No. 1 place to see the best magicians in the world, with a highly acclaimed 30 show run. This was completed at the age of only 22 making him one of their youngest ever headliners.

Distinguished Prof Emeritus Paul Spoonley FRSNZ

Paul was Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University. He became an advisor to the Commissioner of Police (2021-2024) and Co-Director of the National Centre for Countering Violent Extremism (2022-2023).

Paul is a Fellow and Board member of the Auckland Museum, a Visiting Researcher at the Max Planck Institute in Germany and he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the University of California Berkeley. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Paul is the author or editor of 29 books, including The New New Zealand. Facing Demographic Disruption.

More speakers to be announced soon.