Kimberley has driven transformation in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector through Te Hono, connecting business leaders, iwi, and government with Stanford expertise to inspire global leadership. With experience across government, military, and private sectors, she brings a deep understanding of diverse operational dynamics and has a passion for leveraging technology to secure Aotearoa’s competitive advantage.

Connor Hare is a Bachelor of Engineering student who worked for two years as a Creative Technologist for the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). As a CIE Creative Technologist, Connor trained other students and how to use technology in CIE’s makerspaces, Kura Matahuna Unleash Space and Te Ahi Hangarau.

When retail executives start swearing during earnings calls, something is clearly amiss. That’s what happened recently when the CEO of United States-based luxury furniture retailer Restoration Hardware saw his company’s share price plunge by more than 25% in after-market trading.

When President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on almost all US imports, calling it “Liberation Day”, the reaction among some American CEOs was instant.

The University of Auckland recently hosted New Zealand’s first ever Web3 hackathon, bringing together dozens of people from industry, government and universities to experiment with futuristic technology.

The government wants to double New Zealand’s exports by 2034, but there’s a missing piece: innovation.

Velocity is New Zealand’s leading university entrepreneurship development programme with a 22-year legacy. Each year’s programme includes seminars, start-up competitions and workshops. Its impact on New Zealand’s start-up ecosystem is exponential, with alumni creating hundreds of start-ups, thousands of jobs and raising billions in capital.

The Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has long been a catalyst for fostering innovative thinking and entrepreneurial talent. Now, its leadership is continuing to extend its impact beyond campus, with CIE Director Darsel Keane appointed to the Auckland Business Chamber’s Tech Council.

Summer Lab is part of CIE’s wider commitment to developing innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets at university. Since its inception, the programme has grown in size and reputation.

With their world-first superconducting magnet system now in orbit, and investment from one of Japan’s largest venture capital firms, there’s no stopping Zenno Astronautics - or its founder, Max Arshavsky.