HETTANZ Conference 2027
14- 16 May 2027 - Claudelands Hamilton Kirikiriroa
From Phase to Practice: Leading Purposeful Curriculum Change in Health and Technology.
Mai i te Wāhanga ki te Whakatinanatanga
We’re excited to be heading to the Waikato for the HETTANZ Conference! 2027 will take place at Claudelands in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton from 14–16 May 2027.
Watch this space for more details on prices, live dates and more.
CLICK HERE FOR HETTANZ CONFERENCE 2027 WEBSITEKeynote Speakers
Janelle Riki-Waaka
Iwi Affiliations: Tainui Āwhiro, Ngāti Hauiti
Janelle is one of two Kaihautū (Directors) of Riki Consultancy, working alongside her brother Nathan. A dynamic and experienced leader, she brings over 14 years of expertise across leadership, strategy, and governance. Janelle is a powerful keynote speaker, skilled coach, and engaging emcee, known for her ability to inspire, challenge, and connect authentically with a wide range of audiences.
Her passion for te Tiriti o Waitangi education and her sharp strategic thinking make her a trusted advisor for clients and communities navigating transformational change. When she’s not deep in kaupapa Māori or leading courageous kōrero in boardrooms, you’ll find her supporting her favourite rugby league team, being Māmā Bear to 5 amazing tamariki or baking sourdough bread for her whānau!
Janelle’s superpower? The perfect blend of humour, warmth, wisdom, and a fearless ability to provoke new thinking, all delivered with aroha and authenticity.
Annah Stretton (Annah Stretton Clothing)
Annah Stretton is one of New Zealand's most recognised entrepreneurs, fashion designers, and social innovators. Over the past 35 years, she has built a career defined by creativity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to challenging conventional thinking.
After founding the Stretton Clothing Company in Morrinsville in 1991, Annah grew the business into one of New Zealand's most recognisable fashion brands. Today, the company continues to evolve through fashion, accessories, homeware, hospitality, and digital retail, demonstrating the importance of continual reinvention in an ever-changing business landscape.
Alongside her business career, Annah has become a leading voice in social impact through the work of RAW, the organisation she co-founded to support women in prison and those transitioning back into their communities. Her work has helped reshape conversations around rehabilitation, education, and long-term reintegration, while advocating for practical solutions that create lasting social change.
A lifelong learner, Annah returned to university in her late fifties and has since completed three Master's degrees in Social Policy, Photography, and Māori and Indigenous Studies. She is currently continuing postgraduate study in Māori Visual Arts, combining academic research with creative practice and social advocacy.
Her contribution to business and the community has been recognised through numerous honours, including being appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), receiving the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year Award, the EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and being named a New Zealander of the Year finalist on multiple occasions.
Annah is also the founder of Sisterhood Social, a platform designed to foster genuine connection between women, and co-hosts the Stretton Unfiltered podcast, where she explores business, leadership, creativity, social issues, and the stories of remarkable New Zealanders.
Known for her willingness to challenge accepted thinking, Annah brings a unique perspective that blends commercial success, creative expression, academic inquiry, and a deep commitment to community. Her experience across fashion, entrepreneurship, the arts, and social enterprise makes her a valued contributor to initiatives that celebrate innovation, excellence, and the power of creativity.
Nathan Wallis (Neuroscience Educator)
Nathan Wallis is a father of three, Poua (Grandad) of five and a foster parent with a professional background in child trauma counselling, teaching and Human Development.
He lectured in Human Development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand for many years and was also a board member and the senior trainer for the national body in Aotearoa/New Zealand charged with the responsibility of disseminating Neuroscientific research to professionals and community.
He has developed a reputation as a lively and engaging speaker who uses humour and plain language to make this complex topic absolutely come to life. In addition to being a regular on New Zealand Television screens and news media shows as an expert advisor on topics related to the human brain, child development or trauma informed practice, he now also has a show of his own on Maori TV in which his expertise in these topics is explored, understood and delivered within an indigenous knowledge base and worldview as it relates to parenting called “Kids Don't Come With a Manual”
His consultancy and training roles have since the early 2000's been facilitating easy to understand professional development, reflecting the latest neuroscientific research discoveries and their practical implications for everyday life. Since then he has been in hot demand, delivering to people all over the world about how to better understand how people grow, learn and develop.
Early Call for Submissions - 'For Kaiako by Kaiako'
We are looking for your involvement in the ‘For Kaiako by Kaiako’ sessions at the HETTANZ Conference 2027. This is the eighth year these sessions have been included in the HETTANZ conference programme, and delegate feedback has consistently endorsed their value!
Our ‘For Kaiako by Kaiako’ sessions are 45-minute slots, including the presentation and question time, within your selected category:
Health Studies/Education, Technology (Design make & innovate - Spatial Product Design - Food & Processing Technology - Materials Technology) Hospitality, Year 7 & 8, Pasifika, Home Economics/Food & Nutrition and Mātauranga Māori.
If you are doing something innovative, interesting or inspiring in your classroom, this is an opportunity to share your ideas and experiences with fellow teachers – we’d love to have you involved!
For the 2027 conference the focus will be on the refreshed curriculum (phases 4 & 5), and we ask that this forms part of your ‘For Kaiako by Kaiako’ presentation.
To submit your session idea, simply email it to info@HETTANZ.org.nz.
Your submission should include:
- Your name
- School
- Session title
- A 300–500-word description of your proposed session, outlining what the session will cover
- A short speaker bio
- Email address
- Mobile phone number
- The category you feel best fits your presentation
We look forward to hearing about the innovative and inspiring work happening in classrooms across Aotearoa!
Accommodation
We have secured discounts with some Hamilton hotels for the Conference. Please visit The Conference Website for more information. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out: info@hettanz.org.nz or 04 499 8071.