The Guest Speaker

Sharks made Dr. Riley Elliott famous - but this conversation is about much more than sharks.

Riley is one of the world's leading shark scientists, a documentary presenter for Shark Week, BBC and National Geographic, and a passionate advocate for marine conservation.

In this episode he shares how curiosity, purpose and hard work took him from a student in Hamilton, New Zealand, to researching great white sharks around the world.

Whethe...

Agriculture is one of New Zealand's largest industries, yet many young people have little idea of the incredible career opportunities it offers.

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Chloe Jones - Operations Manager at Fonterra Farms, former National Chair of New Zealand Young Farmers, and a passionate advocate for the future of the food and fibre sector.

Chloe shares her journey from a high school student unsure of ...

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Amy Coulton, whose journey has taken her from a high school career expo in New Zealand to working across luxury superyachts, tourism, hospitality and adventure travel around the world.

Amy shares how studying at Queenstown Resort College opened unexpected doors, what life is actually like working in tourism, the incredible highs of exploring places like French Polynesia and the ...

After pursuing tourism, having Covid completely change her plans, and later studying psychology at university, Brittany Day still hadn't found the career that truly excited her. It wasn't until someone casually suggested she'd make a great personal trainer that everything clicked.

Today, Brittany is an award-recognised personal trainer and is helping people of all ages build confidence, strength and healthier lifestyles.

In this epis...

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, internationally recognised architect Nick Roberts shares the journey from a New Zealand classroom to leading award-winning projects across New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the Netherlands.

Nick is the founding director of Roberts Gray Architects, an educator, author and one of New Zealand's leading contemporary architects. His work has been recognised nationally and internationally,...

Maia Joseph may be best known as one of the brightest young stars in New Zealand rugby, but thats just one of her two sides.

A Black Fern, medical student, and role model for young athletes across Aotearoa, Maia is proving that you don't have to choose between your passions.

Growing up in Dunedin, Maia loved sport, worked hard at school, and never imagined she would one day be balancing a professional rugby career with medical school...

In this episode, we sit down with Brendan Murphy, a University of Auckland architecture master’s student, to unpack what architecture school is really like - the creativity, the pressure, the studio culture, the workload, and the long road toward becoming a registered architect.

Brendan shares his journey from Cambridge High School to architecture school, reflecting on the subjects that helped him most, why maths is not as ess...

Alice Taylor grew up in Cambridge, New Zealand, loving sport and throwing herself into every opportunity she could. But unlike many athletes who pursue American scholarships, she never believed the pathway was meant for her.

After finishing school, Alice enrolled at Massey University with her sights set firmly on veterinary science. When that plan didn't work out, she found herself back home, working in a café, continuing to train, ...

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with entrepreneur and wellness founder Amy Calway - founder of Tiki Beach in Mangawhai - to talk about resilience, entrepreneurship, and why some of the best careers are built through pivots, curiosity and courage.

Amy shares her journey from struggling in school and feeling like a “non-traditional” student, to working in nightlife promotions, alcohol marketing, large-sca...

Matt Watson grew up in a commercial fishing family and always felt the pull of the ocean. But before becoming one of New Zealand’s most recognisable fishing personalities, he built his work ethic the old-fashioned way - through school, sport, roofing, saving money, and learning how to turn up every day.

In this episode, Matt shares how he went from running a roofing business at nineteen to becoming a qualified skipper, taking ...

Today on The Guest Speaker, we’re joined by Jacinda Johnston - a Special Counsel at one of New Zealand’s leading law firms, Tompkins Wake - to unpack the realities of studying and working in law.

From being the “bright student” encouraged into law, to studying at University of Waikato and later abroad at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Jacinda shares the pathway behind her successful legal career - and the momen...

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Hannah Rogers, an emerging environmental scientist and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato whose research explores epiphytes, ecology, and the future of environmental restoration.

Hannah’s connection to the natural world began early, shaped by parents who encouraged curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a deep respect for the environment. But her pathway was not perfe...

In this episode, we sit down with Darrell Bird, owner of Dive Zone Whitianga, to explore how diving can become far more than a hobby — it can become a pathway into confidence, travel, education, leadership, tourism, marine science, commercial work, and global career opportunities.

Darrell’s own journey did not follow a traditional route. After leaving school, training as a draughtsman, and realising office life was not f...

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Gemma Thornton, a community rehabilitation coach at Body in Motion in the Bay of Plenty.

Gemma’s pathway began with a love of dance, movement, and people. After high school, she studied Sport and Human Performance at Wintec, initially imagining a future as a PE or dance teacher. But as her studies unfolded, and as her own health journey with ulcerative colitis and endometr...

Haylee Palmer didn’t follow a perfectly mapped-out path - and that’s exactly what makes her story so relevant.

Growing up in Tauranga, Haylee leaned into a philosophy of simply enjoying school, trying everything, and staying open to where life might lead. From sport to arts to leadership opportunities, she explored broadly without pressure to specialize early - a mindset that would later shape her career.

After finishing ...

Catriona McPherson grew up in Cambridge, surrounded by stories, art, and a curiosity about the world - but like many students drawn to the humanities, she wasn’t sure exactly where that path could lead.

In this episode, Catriona shares how she turned a love of art history into a meaningful career at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - one of New Zealand’s most iconic cultural institutions.

She takes us through her ...

Kate Goodman was a high-achieving student who loved school, thrived in structured environments, and always expected she would go to university - but like many students, she had little idea what career she actually wanted.

In this episode, Kate shares how she navigated that uncertainty, choosing to study psychology, criminology, and art history based on interest rather than a defined career path - and trusting that things would work ...

Luke’s story begins on the Coromandel Peninsula, where a childhood shaped by the ocean, small community living, and hands-on learning laid the foundation for everything that followed.

In this episode, Luke shares how his pathway into hospitality wasn’t driven by academic success, but by practical skills, people, and a willingness to work hard. Navigating school with dyslexia and struggling in traditional classroom settin...

Steph Woodall grew up in Cambridge with her sights set on becoming an architect - until one unexpected rejection and a gap year changed everything.

In this episode, Steph shares how that pivot led her into the world of health and nutrition - from discovering fitness during a year at home, to studying at the University of Auckland, and eventually qualifying as a registered dietitian. What followed was a career working in public hospi...