Acclaimed scientist in Whangārei for first Future Crunch

Tanē Hunter aims to foster optimistic thinking about the future and to empower people to contribute to it. Photo / Supplied

It's crunch time

Whangārei will be the first place an acclaimed scientist will speak on a roadshow focusing on future energy, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and the next economy.

The Northland Chamber of Commerce has arranged for Tané Hunter, the co-founder of Future Crunch, to kick off a national tour at the Northland Events Centre, Whangārei, on Tuesday, March 5.

Future Crunch is a group of scientists, artists, technologists and entrepreneurs who believe science and technology are creating a more peaceful, transparent and abundant world. Their think tank is designed to foster intelligent, optimistic thinking about the future, and to empower people to contribute to it.

Future Crunch is based in Melbourne and has presented worldwide to the likes of Interpol, The Million Dollar Round Table, Hyundai Australia and ANZ.

Hunter's presentations have been described as ''dynamic, entertaining and mind-blowing, designed to make people think differently''.

He is a cancer researcher, bioinformatician and science communicator whose interest in medical genomics, big data and evolutionary biology eventually led him to the University of Melbourne.

He has worked for the Royal Children's Hospital diagnosing rare genetic diseases in children and is currently completing his PhD at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, using molecular biomarkers and bioinformatics to better understand, diagnose and improve treatment for people with cancer.

Hunter is also an avid sailor, and participates in races around the world.

The Whangārei seminar will also offer an opportunity to hear leading industry experts from Northland answer questions about solar or future energies, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, and how it will impact business in the future.

"Don't miss this one, Tané will bring an energy and perspective that will have you re- thinking much of what you have heard and believe,'' chairman of Northland Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Smith said.

''This is the first in of our new style of business events giving perspective on the future of business in Northland.''

The Chamber plans a series of seminars in 2019 as a direct response to a need voiced by business leaders and managers.

''They expressed they would like to see high calibre speakers deliver cutting edge, future focused thinking regionally, rather than having to travel to cities like Auckland.''

The Future Crunch seminar will run for around 45 minutes. from 12pm to 2pm, with time for questions and networking. Tickets are available now through the Northland Chamber website www.northchamber.co.nz