THRIVE WELLINGTON
19 August 2004, Westpac St JamesTheatre
Speaker Profiles
Graham Lowe, Rugby League Coach and Author:
Graham Lowe has forged a reputation that transcends his position as a football coach and rugby league icon. He is
admired for his honesty, integrity and loyalty to this country; and he enjoys enormous respect for his achievements as a
coach in the toughest rugby league competitions in the world. This latter aspect of Graham's ability has captured the
attention of many in the New Zealand business community.
They readily recognise the parallels between business and sport, and understand there are many lessons for the corporate
world to learn from top sporting endeavour.
Many would value the opportunity to learn how a down-to-earth Kiwi, armed with the attributes of energy, dedication and
innovation, reached the top in such a competitive world. Graham's personal tribulations have added a further dimension
to his remarkable story. The major health problems Graham has suffered, and the way he has dealt with them, have stamped
him as a special individual at a personal and emotional level.
Graham incorporates aspects of both personal and professional experiences into his presentations. They reflect the very
nature of this man – hard-hitting, down-to-earth, yet compassionate, realistic and results driven. Relevant messages for
people involved with people!
Sam Morgan, Entrepreneur, Trade Me:
Sam Morgan took a simple e-business idea and turned it into a reality. His auction site, trademe.co.nz, has grown from a
simple project on his father's laptop to a vast enterprise that services nearly a million traders every month. Trade Me
has grown over 1000% in the past year, making it this nation's second-fastest growing company. There has been little to
no advertising; the growth has been almost exclusively thanks to word of mouth, and a brilliant product idea.
At only 28 years of age, Morgan is a sterling example of a successful Kiwi entrepreneur.
Lindah Lepou, Pacific Designer:
Lindah Lepou is an individual excelling in the fashion and music industries. She is an award winning fashion designer
who has worked on international projects for Robert Labertta, Creative Director of “Sebastian Intl”, whose clients
include Mick Jagger and Paula Abdul. Lindah has her own womenswear label, “denciumcompri” based in Auckland and is
setting up her own website www.denciumcompri.com where people worldwide can gather to discuss a range of issues. She has
been offered a record deal with International producer, Alan Jannson (“How Bizarre”, Pauly Fuemana and “In the
Neighbourhood”, Sisters Underground) and has been travelling internationally with the “Pasifika Divas”.
Michael (Mikee) Tucker, Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa:
Michael (Mikee) Tucker, Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa - Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa are the driving force behind the Urban
Music Collective; The Black Seeds; Fat Freddy's Drop; Trinity Roots; Twinset; and Rhian Sheehan.
Emily Loughnan, Director, Click Suite
As the director of innovative media solutions experts Click Suite, Emily has helped a wide range of New Zealand's
largest organisations with complex technical difficulties. Their work has won awards from around the world, including
numerous Interactive New Zealand ICON Awards and three medals in the New York Festival's new media competition.
John Barnett, Producer, ‘Whale Rider’
John Barnett first read the novel called ‘Whale Rider’ a decade ago. Since then he has driven it from page to screen,
receiving accolades from the world’s brightest critics in the process. John has produced numerous New Zealand classics
including ‘Jubilee’, ‘Middle Age Spread’, ‘Footrot Flats’ and ‘What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?’ John’s myriad
achievements include founding New Zealand’s industry magazine, ‘OnFilm’, developing multiplex cinemas and co-owning New
Zealand’s largest film and TV production company. John also established Sundance Channel (NZ), the first Sundance
affiliated channel outside the US. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday
Honours List for services to the film industry.
John Shewan, Chair, PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand:
As Chairman for PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand, John Shewan rides the wave of knowledge when it comes to tax policy
and practice. He joined the Firm in 1978 and was admitted as a Partner in 1984, and is responsible for the Firm's
overall market position, governance and Partnership matters. John is a regular media commentator on tax policy and
practice. From 1988 to 1998 he chaired the Government's Tax Education Office. He is currently Chair of the Government's
Private Sector Research & Development Liaison Group, and is extensively involved in tax policy reforms. In his client-servicing role at
PricewaterhouseCoopers, John advises a number of New Zealand-based
and multinational corporates, with a particular focus on trans-Tasman tax. His experience also encompasses banks,
insurance companies, the electricity industry and government agencies.
Tony Marks, CEO, Pacific Blue:
Tony Marks came to New Zealand in 1978 with an honours degree from Harvard, the associated "all American soccer player"
extracurricular experience, and 10 years history in the food industry principally with Kraft in both the UK and
Venezuela.
He subsequently worked for Alex Harvey Industries / Carter Holt Harvey and Carters Building Supplies in general
management positions. His current role as the first CEO of Pacific Blue Airlines, a sister company and wholly owned
subsidiary of Virgin Blue Australia, had its origins in his experience with Air New Zealand.
As GM Sales and Marketing for Air New Zealand, he oversaw the creation of the Airpoints loyalty scheme, Asian and USA
route development, and the alliance strategy which resulted in membership of the Star Alliance network.
Tony was recently CEO of Zespri during an exciting period that saw the introduction of the Gold kiwifruit variety and
establishment of contract growing in Europe and the US.
Murray Thom:
Murray Thom left school at 15 with no qualifications. By the age of 23 he
was Managing Director of CBS Records New Zealand, the youngest Managing Director of that group in the world. With a
strong desire to be self-employedhe left the corporate life to strike out on his own. He won the government tender in
1987 to introduce personalised number plates in New Zealand.In 1997 he sold that company to return to his real passion -
the music business. Oprah Winfrey named his most recent production, the 'Together' 10 CD Collection, her ‘Favorite
Thing’ of the year. Murray was recently namedas one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the Decade.
Dave Dobbyn:
Dave Dobbyn is regarded as a national icon in New Zealand. After 25 years as a musician and songwriter, Dobbyn was
awarded the lifetime achievement award by the New Zealand recording industry. Instead of a speech, the managing director
of Sony New Zealand just read out a list of song titles. These were songs written by Dobbyn that had moved people
throughout the country right from childhood. Dobbyn is an integral part of NZ music - he has made a business out of his
passion and is regarded as one of the leading contributors to the growth and popularity of kiwi music at home and
abroad.
Raybon Kan, Master of Ceremonies:
Raybon is one of New Zealand's highest-profile comedians and a true multimedia star. He has appeared on television
(appearing in many shows, including Pulp Comedy, 60 Minutes, and as a film reviewer for TV3's Nightline), radio (a
weekly show on Newstalk ZB), film (I'll Make You Happy, Spooked and the upcoming Tongan Ninja); print and much, much
more.
On top of that, he is also a lawyer (graduated with honours from Victoria University) and one of the smartest people in
the country according to last year's Test the Nation. He also recently released his third book (An Asian at My Table)
and will be touring the country later this year with a stage show.
Raybon will chair Thrive Wellington with his typical wit and humour. Edgy, entertaining and insightful, Raybon is the
perfect choice to host this conference.