Speakers

NEW ZEALAND AEROSPACE SUMMIT 2025

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Ōtautahi Christchurch / 7-8 October

LET US INTRODUCE OUR

Summit Speakers

More speakers to come - our programme is being finalised. Check back for further updates.

  • Max Arshavsky

    FOUNDER, ZENNO ASTRONAUTICS

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  • Angus Blair

    GENERAL PARTNER, OUTSET VENTURES

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  • Dr Isaac Henderson

    CEO, DRONESHOWS LIMITED
    CHAIR OF UAVNZ

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  • Prof Lucy Johnston

    TUMU TUARUA RANGAHAU | DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AT TE WHARE WĀNANGA O WAITAHA | UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY (UC)

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  • Sarah Kessans

    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, SCHOOL OF PRODUCT DESIGN, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

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  • Robin McNeill

    CEO, SPACE OPERATIONS NEW ZEALAND


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  • Stefan Powell

    CO-FOUNDER, CEO, CTO
    DAWN AEROSPACE

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  • Mark Rocket

    CEO, KEA AEROSPACE
    PRESIDENT, AEROSPACE NEW ZEALAND

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  • Sarah Ramsay

    CEO & CO-OWNER, UNITED MACHINISTS


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  • Steve Smyth

    DIRECTOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAMME, CAA NEW ZEALAND

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  • Scott Spooner

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, SPS AUTOMATION LIMITED

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  • Stan Topping

    HEAD OF AEROSPACE STRATEGY & GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS, TĀWHAKI JOINT VENTURE

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  • Tuana Yazici

    FOUNDER, CHAIR, & CEO , TUANA GROUP, AEROAI VOYAGES, AEROAI DESIGNLAB & NONPROFIT AEROAI GLOBAL SOLUTIONS

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Meet our MC

David Downs

CMInstD, Genetically Modified Optimist 
CEO, New Zealand Story Group

David has had a successful career in the private and public sector and is now CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious government-funded organisation marketing New Zealand to the world.

He also acts as a consultant and is a director on several boards, including as Chair of The Icehouse, and the Hi-Tech Trust. David is an ex-comedian, TV and radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, cancer survivor and a published author of the books No.8 Re-wired, No.8 Recharged, A Mild Touch of the Cancer, and Silver Linings.

David founded SOS Business, a hugely successful not-for-profit initiative to help cafes and other small businesses during covid-19.