20 HR Conference Speakers at NZ Education Events

Jonno White

Aug 14

20 min read

Last updated: 2026-08-14

Who are the HR conference speakers at New Zealand education events?

The strongest HR conference speakers at New Zealand education events connect people and culture with the daily work of learning. This list brings together 20 speakers and education leaders who appear in current conference programmes, leadership events or specialist education organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand. They cover assessment, coaching, wellbeing, inclusion, online safety, curriculum change and the practical work of leading adults. If you are planning an HR, people and culture, school leadership or education conference, these names give you a useful starting point for shaping the room around a real question rather than a generic theme. Their work spans schools, universities, government, professional bodies and specialist organisations, so the right fit depends on your audience, the change in front of them and what you want people to do when they return to work.

For an HR audience, the central question is often simple to ask and hard to answer: what will help people do good work together when the system around them is changing? A speaker can help by giving the room language for trust, belonging, capability, wellbeing and responsibility. That language matters in education because teachers, principals, support staff, policy teams and families experience change in different ways. A useful session does not flatten those differences. It helps people see the shared work, notice the pressure points and leave with a practical next move. The speakers in this list offer different ways into that conversation, so organisers can choose a voice that matches the people in the room and the work they need to carry next.

Why these speakers matter for HR and people leaders

Education conferences are people conferences. A new assessment approach, a coaching model or a change in online safety expectations only becomes real when adults understand it, trust the reason for it and have enough support to act. That is why HR and people leaders can learn from speakers who understand the human side of education. They can help a room talk about capability without reducing people to a score, culture without turning it into a poster and change without pretending the emotional work is invisible. The speakers below bring different entry points, but the shared thread is practical leadership that makes it easier for adults to learn together. For an HR audience, that can turn a broad conversation about engagement into a clearer conversation about trust, role clarity, development and the conditions that let good work last.

There is also a useful difference between a speaker who fills time and a speaker who helps people think together. In education, a strong session respects the knowledge already in the room. It gives people a way to connect their own experience with a wider idea, without pretending that one tool will solve every problem. HR leaders can use that strength when they plan a conference: choose the tension, explain the audience and ask for a session that creates movement. The best result may be a new question, a better conversation between teams or one commitment that leaders can support after the applause ends.

1. Dr Jacqui Patuawa

Education Director: Leadership | International Services, Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga

Dr Jacqui Patuawa is Education Director: Leadership | International Services at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: leadership development, leading by learning and collaborative problem solving. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Dr Jacqui Patuawa's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZAI Assessment Conference 2025, Dr Jacqui Patuawa was associated with a keynote role focused on leadership development services. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

2. Hineihaea Murphy

Managing Director, Haemata Associates

Hineihaea Murphy is Managing Director at Haemata Associates, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: Māori-medium curriculum, assessment and capability building. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Hineihaea Murphy's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZAI Assessment Conference 2025, Hineihaea Murphy was associated with the opening keynote on assessment and Māori-medium education. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

3. Hon Erica Stanford

Minister of Education, New Zealand Government

Hon Erica Stanford is Minister of Education at New Zealand Government, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: the public education system and the decisions that shape learning communities. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Hon Erica Stanford's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZAI Assessment Conference 2025, Hon Erica Stanford was associated with a confirmed keynote place in the conference prospectus. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

4. Professor Deidre Le Fevre

Professor, University of Auckland Educational Leadership

Professor Deidre Le Fevre is Professor at University of Auckland Educational Leadership, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: adaptive leadership, relational trust and professional capability. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Professor Deidre Le Fevre's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Professor Deidre Le Fevre was associated with the keynote theme of courageous leadership in complex times. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

5. Rachel Bolstad

Kaihautū Rangahau | Chief Researcher, New Zealand Council for Educational Research

Rachel Bolstad is Kaihautū Rangahau | Chief Researcher at New Zealand Council for Educational Research, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: future-facing education, local curriculum and climate-change responses. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Rachel Bolstad's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Rachel Bolstad was associated with a session about building deep resilience for climate change with school leaders. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

6. Amira Aman

Kaihuawaere | Learning Consultant, Tātai Aho Rau | Core Education

Amira Aman is Kaihuawaere | Learning Consultant at Tātai Aho Rau | Core Education, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: secondary education, coaching and the human side of change. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Amira Aman's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Amira Aman was associated with a presentation on change and resistance. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

7. Dr Nina Hood

Founder, The Education Hub

Dr Nina Hood is Founder at The Education Hub, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: the science of learning and practical support for teachers and leaders. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Dr Nina Hood's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Dr Nina Hood was associated with a keynote on unpacking the science of learning. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

8. Suran Dickson

Director, Flipside Consulting

Suran Dickson is Director at Flipside Consulting, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: psychological safety, inclusion and the people challenges inside organisations. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Suran Dickson's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZASA 2025 conference, Suran Dickson was associated with a session on psychological safety and diverse brains. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

9. Fiona McDonald

Chief Executive, Education Outdoors New Zealand

Fiona McDonald is Chief Executive at Education Outdoors New Zealand, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: outdoor learning, safe systems and inclusive education experiences. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Fiona McDonald's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZASA 2025 conference, Fiona McDonald was associated with a session on safer, smarter outdoor education. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

10. Rachel Hawthorne

Professional supervisor and leadership practitioner, Transforming Conversations

Rachel Hawthorne is Professional supervisor and leadership practitioner at Transforming Conversations, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: helping principals and senior leaders navigate complexity and build sustainable capability. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Rachel Hawthorne's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At New Zealand school leadership conversations, Rachel Hawthorne was associated with a practical focus on supervision, complexity and sustainable leadership. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

11. Sean Lyons

Chief Online Safety Officer, Netsafe

Sean Lyons is Chief Online Safety Officer at Netsafe, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: online safety, care and confidence for educators leading through generative technology. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Sean Lyons's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Sean Lyons was associated with a session on safety and care in the age of generative AI. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

12. Chris Munro

Executive Director, Growth Coaching International

Chris Munro is Executive Director at Growth Coaching International, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: instructional coaching and the leadership habits that help adults improve. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Chris Munro's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the Coaching in Education Conference 2026, Chris Munro was associated with a presenter on coaching as a way of leading. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

13. Alison Spence

Principal, Kohia Terrace School

Alison Spence is Principal at Kohia Terrace School, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: school leadership, coaching and building adult learning into everyday practice. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Alison Spence's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the Coaching in Education Conference 2026, Alison Spence was associated with a presenter on coaching in education. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

14. Dr Jim Knight

Founder and Senior Partner, Instructional Coaching Group

Dr Jim Knight is Founder and Senior Partner at Instructional Coaching Group, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: instructional coaching, partnership principles and professional learning. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Dr Jim Knight's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the Coaching in Education Conference 2026, Dr Jim Knight was associated with a keynote presenter on instructional coaching. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

15. Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr

Kaihautū and education and leadership programme specialist, Te Toki Voyaging Trust

Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr is Kaihautū and education and leadership programme specialist at Te Toki Voyaging Trust, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: waka, identity, mana and leadership learning. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr was associated with a keynote using waka as a symbol of mana. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

16. Professor Jenny Poskitt

NZAI President and Professor, New Zealand Assessment Institute and Massey University

Professor Jenny Poskitt is NZAI President and Professor at New Zealand Assessment Institute and Massey University, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: assessment that improves learning and the experience of students and teachers. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Professor Jenny Poskitt's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZAI Assessment Conference 2025, Professor Jenny Poskitt was associated with the conference closing address as NZAI President. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

17. Dr Adele Scott

Advisory Officer, PPTA Te Wehengarua

Dr Adele Scott is Advisory Officer at PPTA Te Wehengarua, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: middle leadership, curriculum change and the practical load carried by teachers. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Dr Adele Scott's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NASDAP 2025 conference, Dr Adele Scott was associated with a professional learning session on mentoring and leadership. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

18. Michael Absolum ONZM

Director, Evaluation Associates

Michael Absolum ONZM is Director at Evaluation Associates, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: assessment, professional learning and the decisions schools make about evidence of learning. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Michael Absolum ONZM's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At the NZAI Assessment Conference 2025, Michael Absolum ONZM was associated with a panel role on better, faster and smarter learning. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

19. Dr Kate Thornton

Associate Professor and programme director, Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Kate Thornton is Associate Professor and programme director at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: educational leadership, mentoring, coaching and professional learning communities. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Dr Kate Thornton's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At New Zealand education leadership events, Dr Kate Thornton was associated with current work on preparing middle and senior leaders for principalship. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

20. Dr Denise Quinlan

Director, New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience

Dr Denise Quinlan is Director at New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience, with work that sits close to the people questions schools and education organisations carry. The focus is practical: wellbeing science, resilient teams and making work better for people. For HR and senior leaders, that makes Dr Denise Quinlan's contribution useful because it links everyday leadership choices with the conditions that help adults learn, stay, contribute and lead well. The strongest takeaway is not a slogan. It is a way to make conversations about culture, capability and change more specific. Read the current official profile.

At education and leadership wellbeing programmes, Dr Denise Quinlan was associated with current keynote and workshop work on wellbeing and resilience. That detail gives the profile a clear place in the wider education conversation. It also offers a helpful prompt for conference planners: invite speakers who can name the human work behind improvement, then give people a way to use the idea with their own teams. In a people-focused session, the best outcome is a sharper question, a safer discussion and one small action that survives the return to work.

What patterns run through these conference speakers?

A few themes appear again and again. First, practical people work sits underneath almost every education change: leaders need language for trust, capability, inclusion and the small habits that make improvement possible. Second, the best conference ideas travel between levels. A principal, a teacher, a policy leader and an HR partner may hold different responsibilities, but they still need a shared way to talk about adult learning and the pressure of change. Third, Aotearoa New Zealand speakers bring local context into the room. Māori-medium education, whānau, mana, local curriculum, outdoor learning and the particular shape of New Zealand schools are not side notes. They influence what leadership looks like in practice.

A fourth pattern is that people work becomes stronger when it is connected to a real decision. A talk about wellbeing can lead to a better approach to workload. A session about coaching can change the way managers hold development conversations. A conversation about assessment can help leaders ask what evidence is useful and who needs to understand it. That connection between idea and action is where HR leaders can add value, because they often help turn a conference moment into a team habit.

How to use this list when planning an event

Start with the audience's real question. If the room is dealing with capability and coaching, a coaching specialist may be the right fit. If the challenge is assessment, system change or professional trust, an education leader with experience in those areas will give the conversation more weight. Then decide what the audience needs after the session: a new frame, a shared language, a practical tool or a decision they can make together. Ask the speaker to connect the session to that outcome. The most useful brief includes the audience, the change they are facing, the tension you want named and the action you want people to take. That gives the speaker enough room to tailor the message without turning the event into a sales pitch.

It helps to share the shape of the day as well. Tell the speaker what people have already heard, where the pressure is highest and whether the session should open a conversation, close one or give leaders a common next step. Build in time for reflection or discussion if the topic is complex. A clear brief protects the audience from a polished talk that goes nowhere and gives the speaker a fair chance to create something that feels specific to the room. After the event, ask one leader to name what will happen next and when the team will revisit it.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good HR conference speaker for an education audience?

A good speaker understands both the people challenge and the education setting. They can talk about culture, capability, wellbeing or change in a way that respects the workload of teachers and leaders. The best session leaves people with a clearer question, a useful language and one practical action.

Should the speaker be a school leader or an outside specialist?

It depends on the outcome. School leaders bring lived experience of the work, while specialists can offer a broader lens or a tested way to approach a challenge. A strong event can use either, provided the brief is clear and the speaker can connect the idea to the audience's daily reality.

Can one speaker cover both HR and education?

Yes, when the topic is framed around people rather than jargon. Adult learning, trust, coaching, inclusion, wellbeing and change belong in both settings. The brief should explain the audience's language, the pressure they are under and the practical decision or behaviour the session needs to support.

What should an organiser ask before booking?

Ask what the speaker wants the audience to think, feel and do afterwards. Ask how the session will be shaped for school leaders, teachers or HR partners. It is also useful to ask for examples of how the idea has been applied, what the speaker needs from the organiser and how the session can continue after the event.

Are these speakers suitable for a school leadership event?

Many are. The list includes people working in school leadership, assessment, coaching, wellbeing, curriculum, online safety and professional learning. Suitability still depends on the brief, the audience and the outcome. A short written outline will help you choose the right voice for the room.

Conclusion

HR leaders and education event organisers do not need another generic message about people being important. They need speakers who can make the human work of change easier to see and easier to act on. These 20 names offer different ways into that conversation, from coaching and wellbeing to assessment, inclusion, curriculum and online safety. Choose the speaker whose experience matches the question your audience is carrying, then give the session a clear next move.

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