Liam is widely known as the world number one blade runner – hitting the headlines when after less than three short years in the sport he broke the previous Paralympic records held by Oscar Pistorius. His story of hitting rock bottom while at university to turning it all around and receiving two golds and a silver medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games is nothing short of incredible. His times on the track make him New Zealand’s second fastest 400m sprinter ever – legs or not!

The gold medallist blade-running Paralympian put aside his successful athletic career to follow his passion for technology and innovation which led him to work with internationally renowned artificial intelligence (AI) firm Soul Machines, known for their cutting edge, world leading AI technology.

Since then, Liam has spent time in the UK practising stand-up comedy, which included a successful season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and completing his first marathon with no training in 2018. Liam’s experience on the comedy scene reflects on the emotional challenges from going from the top as a world class athlete with opportunities knocking to an aspiring comic that no one knows, but all the while holding true to the principles and values that got him to the top in the first place.

Currently, Liam is focused on his role at Amazon Web Services and presenting inspirational keynotes, and MCing events around the globe.

Liam has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Athletics, Disabled Sportsperson of the Year at the 54th Halberg Awards, and winner of the Sovereign Insurance ‘Make a Difference’ start up competition.
Well received among all audiences, Liam’s story will surprise and delight – an authentic and vulnerable delivery covering everything from overcoming adversity to mental health.

For more than two decades, Darren Shand was the driving force behind the culture and high-performance environment that shaped the New Zealand All Blacks into the world’s most successful international sports team.

His focus is on building the “team around the team” and creating an environment that wholeheartedly supports peak performance was instilled into the very fabric of All Black’s leadership. It is no accident that their winning percentage of 76.77% across more than 600 test matches is unrivalled in world sport.

Today, Darren shares his concept of ‘Winning Teams’ with business and sporting leaders around the globe empowering them with the tools and guidance they need to navigate the intricacies of team dynamics, become more effective leaders, and foster empowering and collaborative environments that cultivate peak performance.

Darren’s philosophy and leadership style are deeply influenced by the profound insights and principles articulated by eminent thought leaders such as Jim Collins, renowned for his groundbreaking work on organisational excellence; Patrick Lencioni, celebrated for his expertise in team dynamics and organisational health; Simon Sinek, known for his innovative approach to inspiring leadership and finding purpose; and Nicholas Janni, recognised for his profound understanding of conscious leadership and personal development. Drawing from their collective wisdom, Darren integrates diverse perspectives to shape his approach to leadership and management.

With more than two decades of experience analysing financial markets and government policy, Cameron has earned a reputation for cutting through the noise and delivering sharp, practical insights into the forces shaping the economy.

Cameron’s career includes over 18 years with the National Bank and ANZ, where he served as Chief Economist for 11.5 years. Under his leadership, ANZ’s economics team became the most trusted in the business and financial community, known for its robust, clear-eyed analysis of the New Zealand economy. Earlier in his career, he spent three and a half years at the New Zealand Treasury, contributing to national-level policy and forecasting.

Today, Cameron leads Bagrie Economics, a boutique research consultancy providing independent economic insight across business, government and the media. He remains a sought-after commentator, widely respected for his no-nonsense, jargon-free style and ability to make complex economic concepts understandable. Cameron is also the current Board Chair of Transporting New Zealand.

From inflation and interest rates to housing, global trends, and fiscal policy, Cameron brings a pragmatic, real-world lens to every topic—refusing to be boxed in by ideology and always focused on what the data really means.

Our MC this year is Jeremy Corbett – quick witted, effortless on the mic, and known nationwide as the host of 7 Days. He keeps every moment tight, upbeat, and seamless, liftin the energy with sharp timing and relaxed humour across the entire event. 

Jeremy Corbett appears by arrangement with Essential Talent. 

Chief Executive, Transporting New Zealand

Dom is the Chief Executive of the country’s largest national road freight association, Transporting New Zealand, representing transport businesses across all freight sectors right across the country. Dom has over 30 years of experience across transport roles in the public and private sector, including advisory roles at Ministry of Transport and NZTA, and managing Z Energy’s transport and logistics for over 12 years.

In his three years as Chief Executive at Transporting New Zealand, Dom has successfully advocated for Land Transport Rule reform, record levels of investment in road maintenance and improvements, and developed tools and resources to keep the transport sector safe and financially sustainable. Balancing in-depth technical knowledge with strong connections throughout government and supply chain partners, Dom always brings interesting insights and strong opinions to transport discussions.

Labour Spokesperson for Transport

Tangi’s professional background combines Local Government and Education. Tangi’s connection to the community is wide and his understanding of the issues that affect the lives and livelihoods of New Zealanders is vast.

Prior to his election as the Member of Parliament for the Palmerston North Electorate in 2020, Tangi served 10 years on the City Council, and was the city’s first elected member of Pasifika heritage. Tangi was appointed Deputy Mayor in 2016, a position he held until his election to Parliament. Whilst a member of the City Council, Tangi made it his priority to work with people from right across the political spectrum. Combined with his focus on policy and practice, Tangi made a significant contribution to the areas of multiculturalism, education, resource management and racing.

Tangi is currently the opposition spokesperson for Local Government, Transport, Small Business, and Racing, alongside being a member of Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee. He has also recently served as a member of the Privileges Committee and Parliamentary Services Commission. During the current Parliamentary term, Tangi has also been opposition spokesperson for Oceans and Fisheries and Associate Education (Pacific), as well as Labour’s Chief Whip.

Since entering Parliament, Tangi has been a member of the Governance & Administration and Environment Select Committees, and the Chair of Parliament’s Health Select Committee. He has also spent time as a Junior Government Whip and Chief Government Whip.

ACT Spokesperson for Transport

Cameron Luxton is an LBP builder, dairy farmer, and advocate for hardworking New Zealanders.

Raised in Papamoa, he attended Mount Maunganui College before starting a building apprenticeship. His determination and work ethic soon took him to Galatea, where he spent seven years working on and running a 200-hectare farm. During that time, he was named Central Plateau Modern Apprentice of the Year in 2013 and Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year in 2014.

Cameron lives in Papamoa with his wife and their two children.

After seeing first-hand how government policies can hold back local communities and hardworking families, Cameron was motivated to get involved with ACT. He stood for Parliament in Tauranga in 2020 and remains a passionate voice for development, personal responsibility, and rural opportunity.

Whether on the farm, the building site, or the campaign trail, Cameron brings a practical, people-focused perspective to politics — determined to stand up for New Zealanders who simply want a fair go.

Billy leads Transporting New Zealand’s government relations and advocacy work, with a focus on freight efficiency, infrastructure investment, and workforce development. He’s helped shape key projects including the National Road Freight survey and the industry’s response to road revenue reform.

Before joining Transporting New Zealand, Billy worked as a senior adviser at Police National Headquarters and as a solicitor in Simpson Grierson’s public law team.

Director and Lead Consultant, People Associates

Lisa has more than 20 years of experience working with leaders in high pressure industries across New Zealand and Australia. She specialises in employment relations, leadership performance, and resolving the people issues that affect safety, efficiency, and commercial outcomes.

She is known for her practical, direct approach and her ability to quickly identify what is holding a business back. Her background includes formal training in business and safety, and she is an experienced mediator, coach, and investigator.

For Transporting NZ members, Lisa offers clear and usable guidance on the new employment law changes and what they mean for transport businesses. Her session will help owners and managers stay compliant, reduce risk, and strengthen leadership capability in a challenging operating environment.

Matt Thomson is a trusted advisor to family-owned businesses, with a particular focus on New Zealand’s civil construction and transport sector. He takes the time to understand both the businesses and the people behind it, which allows him to deliver tailored advice.

Matt’s support goes beyond the numbers – he provides commercially focused solutions that help business owners make informed decisions, strengthen operational resilience, and achieve strategic growth. With a pragmatic approach, deep sector knowledge, and a commitment to building strong relationships, Matt aims to deliver advice that drives long-term success.

David Farrar is the owner and director of Curia Market Research, a specialist polling and public opinion research company that has operated in New Zealand for over 20 years. He is widely recognised for his expertise in voter behaviour, political trends, and the interpretation of public opinion data.

David is also the Editor of Kiwiblog, one of New Zealand’s most-read political blogs, where he provides analysis on polling, policy, and political developments. Alongside his research and commentary work, he has extensive experience inside Parliament, having previously served as a parliamentary staffer to several National Party Prime Ministers and Opposition Leaders.

With a background spanning polling, political strategy, and public commentary, David is valued for his ability to translate complex data into clear, practical insights for decision-makers and audiences alike.

Senior Sargeant, CVST

With nearly 29 years in the New Zealand Police, Matt has built a career focused on making a meaningful difference through road policing—particularly within the commercial vehicle sector, where safety and compliance have a direct impact on lives and livelihoods.

Matt currently leads a passionate team covering the lower half of the North Island, from Hicks Bay to Tūrangi and up to Mōkau. Together, his team works closely with industry partners to improve safety outcomes, support regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of shared responsibility on our roads.

Matt is genuinely passionate about ensuring that everyone who goes to work finishes their shift safely—whether they’re part of his team or working within the wider transport industry.

Based on the Kāpiti Coast, Matt enjoys coaching cricket, mountain biking, walking, and spending time with his wife, two kids, and their Labrador. He is always keen to connect with others who are committed to safer roads and a stronger transport industry.