News

TEDxChristchurch is delighted to announce the support of HamiltonJet for TEDxChristchurch 2019: Tūrangawaewae—A Place of Belonging.

Since the company’s inception, with Sir William Hamilton pioneering the development of the commercial waterjet for vessel propulsion over 60 years ago, HamiltonJet has evolved into a modern international marine technology company. From humble beginnings in the McKenzie high country, HamiltonJet is a global leader in both the creation of new marine technology and how to use it, such as unmanned autonomous vessels, electrification of the driveline (supporting a low carbon future) and digitisation of the modern bridge where system integration and connectivity are providing new value to the customer all the time.  

Today, HamiltonJet employs over 360 people and manufactures 17 different jet models  as well as complex, safety critical electronic control systems. Whilst it's best known in New Zealand for thrill rides and pleasure-boating on our shallow braided rivers, HamiltonJet has over 60,000 waterjet units installed around the world, with sizes ranging from small jets used in recreational craft to the largest jet which has a 1.3m diameter impeller and weighs in at 8 tonnes!

We are extremely grateful for the support HamiltonJet has provided to our organising team, which in turn allows us the capability of delivering our biggest and most significant TEDxChristchurch event yet.

We are thrilled to welcome back Computer Concepts Limited (CCL) for TEDxChristchurch 2019: Tūrangawaewae at the Christchurch Town Hall. In addition to supporting our 10th  anniversary of TEDxChristchurch event on 25 August, CCL have also committed to supporting the youth team in their second-ever event, TEDxYouth@Christchurch taking place on 24 August.

Computer Concepts Limited enables successful technology outcomes for clients all over New Zealand. While delivering real-world solutions across the gamut of IT managed services (from cloud transformation, infrastructure and network connectivity, through to security and data protection services, end user productivity and dedicated support), CCL still retain their signature strength for adapting—quickly—to meet the needs of an industry characterised by exponential change. How do they manage that? CCL have a human-centred approach to their business, where innovation is encouraged at all levels of the company, and both clients and employees are at the centre of all that they do. 

We are delighted to partner with Computer Concepts Limited, whose journey towards impactful technology and innovation is driven simply by passion and by people. Thank you Computer Concepts Limited, for continuing to support curiosity and ideas worth spreading!

TEDxChristchurch is proud to welcome Strategy Creative back as our Creative Partner, for the fifth time this year!

Like TEDxChristchurch, Strategy Creative harnesses the power of simple ideas, executed brilliantly, to deliver spectacular results. They appreciate the platform TEDxChristchurch events provide to showcase ideas worth spreading, whether these ideas are local or international, and we couldn’t be happier to collaborate with them for our tenth anniversary this August.

With over 20 years’ of experience in design and advertising, Strategy’s campaigns consistently win awards and their work for TEDxChristchurch 2017: Unplug. Reconnect. Won a silver award at the NZ Best Awards that year. They creatively used a play on words and language to change ideas worth spreading to ideas worth reading.

This year’s campaign builds on what Strategy has learned over the past few years of working with the TEDxChristchurch organising team: that the experiences we strive to create are all about our attendees, and ensuring that they have the most amazing time possible at our events. 

There’s no doubt in our minds, or our hearts, that Strategy Creative’s flair for impeccable design brings out the best in our event themes and we are grateful for their support, as always.

TEDxChristchurch and TEDxYouth@Christchurch are delighted to be collaborating with Matapopore Charitable Trust as Cultural Partner for the TEDxChristchurch 2019 Tūrangawaewae events across 24–25 August 2019. TEDx events bring together local, national and global thinkers and doers with the purpose of ideas worth spreading. 

We anticipate over 1800 attendees during the course of the weekend at the Christchurch Town Hall and surrounds. For many Cantabrians, this will be their first visit to the newly re-opened Town Hall. As such, we are excited to place the concept of tūrangawaewae—a place where one has rights of residence and belonging through kinship and whakapapa—at the heart of our programme.

The value of Matapopore and its placemaking work in and around Christchurch Town Hall, Tūranga and Victoria Square/Market Place will be of significant interest to our attendees. In partnership with Orbica and SCAPE Public Art, Matapopore have brought their walking tour to life, offering attendees a chance to learn about the innovative ways cultural heritage and identity is embedded and celebrated in Christchurch’s CBD. This will provide greater visibility to the unique cultural narratives and values of Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Ngāi Tahu and is one of the truly inspiring and significant outcomes in the recovery of greater Christchurch.

International educational disruptor Hamish Brewer and ActionStation Director Laura O'Connell Rapira head the list of the talented speakers taking the TEDxChristchurch stage this Saturday.

Key Points

• TEDxChristchurch 2018: The Campfire event is sold out

• People can watch via live stream or attend a public viewing party

• Next year’s event at the Christchurch Town Hall set to celebrate TEDxChristchurch’s 10-year anniversary

Christchurch, New Zealand—There’s a good chance you've heard of Hamish Brewer, the relentless, tattooed, skateboarding, Kiwi principal in Northern Virginia. With an approach that doesn't match the traditional vision of a school principal—incorporating innovative concepts like black light parties, deskless and audio-enhanced classrooms, and skateboard giveaways to empower his students—Hamish has become widely known as an educational disrupter who transcends the status quo and typical educational norms. This Saturday, Hamish is returning to Aotearoa to share his story with attendees of TEDxChristchurch 2018: The Campfire.

Among others, he’ll be sharing the stage with Laura O’Connell Rapira, another no-nonsense rebel with a cause. Like Hamish, Laura has used her work to empower youth to take charge of their shared future—this time in the local political arena—through co-founding Rock Enrol, acting as Director of Campaigns at ActionStation, and helping to create an online community of more than 180,000 like-minded members who participate in campaigns designed to drive a fairer, more just and sustainable Aotearoa.

Hamish and Laura are just two of the extraordinary speakers set to take the stage at TEDxChristchurch 2018: The Campfire, happening at The Piano this Saturday. Other carefully curated voices include teenage inventor Zach Preston, world champion freediver William Trubridge, Professor and Researcher Maggie-Lee Huckabee, father and son scientists Professors Anthony and Phil Butler, NZ Needle Exchange Programme Executive Director Kathryn Leafe, Professor of Political Science Alex Tan, and New Zealand Slam Poetry Champion Daisy Lavea-Timo.

Christchurch-based alt/pop and indie musical duo The Response round out entertainment on the day, and the whole show will be opened by the 50-voice strong Christchurch Pops Choir.

Similar to the TEDxChristchurch 2017: Unplug. Reconnect. event, this year’s experience is strikingly intimate, with only 320 attendees; the show is fully sold out. But the extraordinary line-up is accessible via live stream or at one of the many viewing parties happening around Christchurch and the South Island and listed on TEDxChristchurch.com.

The event’s partners, including Christchurch City Council, Computer Concepts Limited, Davis Ogilvie, creative partner Strategy Creative, and catering partner Richard Till, have all been active champions of the TEDxChristchurch platform for years, providing the foundation for ample flickers of awe, inspiration, and connection around The Campfire.

And despite being laser focused on Saturday’s event, the team is also ramping up for next year—at the newly restored Christchurch Town Hall—as TEDxChristchurch celebrates its tenth year of sharing ideas worth spreading.