TEDx Tutukaka talk draws speakers from Northland's business and environmental sectors

Ingrid Visser, orca expert, is just one of the speakers in the line-up for TEDx Tutukaka, the global event celebrating the power of ideas. Photo / File

The first five speakers for the upcoming TEDx talk in Tutukaka have been announced, with the selection hailing from across Northland's business and environmental sectors.

TEDx Tutukaka, a local version of the global inspirational phenomenon will kick off at the Oceans Quality Hotel on April 7.

The full-day event will feature a host of speakers covering the theme "Tapuwae - footprints in our sand", including land-based conservation warrior and 2017 recipient of the Minister's National Award for services to biosecurity, Don McKenzie.

He has been working with community-led native bird restoration projects on the Tutukaka Coast.

The founder of The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab, Frances Valintine, will also speak. Francis works to shift education and business practice to respond to the future of work and industry.

Orca expert Ingrid Visser is also on the list, as well as commercial and institutional banking expert Rod Parkinson.

Architectural designer, housing advocate, and researcher Jade Kake has also been announced as a speaker too.

She works directly with Māori organisations and mana whenua groups to realise their aspirations for papakāinga housing and marae development, and to assist them to express their cultural values and narratives through the design of physical environments.

TEDx started in California 25 years ago and has taken off in recent times. The events are run by volunteers and pull together and share the inspiration and knowledge of communities where the events run.