WHAT'S ON
COMING SOON...
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
GILBERT ENOKA
What does it take to build a team that performs at its best, time and time again?
Few people are better placed to explore that question than Gilbert Enoka.
With more than 30 years’ experience working with elite athletes, business leaders and CEOs, Gilbert has built a reputation for helping people and teams perform at their best. Best known for his 23 years with the All Blacks, first as Mental Skills Coach and later as Manager – Leadership, he was part of an extraordinary period of success for the team, spanning more than 300 tests and multiple Rugby World Cup victories.
At Conference, hear from Gilbert as he brings his experience in elite sport and business to the stage, sharing his perspective on leadership and what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams.
– PRESENTED BY
& 
LEIGH HART
Comedian, producer and entrepreneur Leigh Hart has built a career on doing things differently, from cult TV shows and radio to creating a nationwide beer and snack brand.
Best known for his deadpan humour, Leigh first made his mark as the iconic ‘That Guy’ on SportsCafe before creating cult favourites like Moon TV and The Late Night Big Breakfast.
He’s since taken his creative instincts into business, turning Wakachangi Beer into a nationwide success, alongside ventures including Snackachangi and his long-running partnership with Hellers.
Join us to hear Leigh at Conference with MC Jehan Cassinader for a Q&A session, sharing stories from a career full of unexpected turns. Expect a few laughs and a fresh perspective from someone who has never followed the conventional path.
– PRESENTED BY
GUEST SPEAKERS
LUKE KEMEYS
Luke Kemeys is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, business advisor and entrepreneur who helps business owners make better financial decisions and build stronger businesses.
As a director at nextAdvisory and host of the Keep The Change podcast, Luke is known for making business and financial advice practical, relatable and easy to understand.
With plenty of knowledge in the numbers behind successful businesses, Luke brings a wealth of experience helping business owners get to grips with their finances and make decisions that move their businesses forward.
BLAKE HARKNESS
AI is changing the way businesses work, and Blake Harkness is helping New Zealand businesses make sense of it.
Based in Christchurch, Blake is an AI engineer, speaker and founder of Harkness AI, an AI consultancy that has helped more than 50 New Zealand businesses adopt AI and automation. He’s also the founder of Young Kiwis in AI, a growing community helping young New Zealanders get started in the industry.
With a background in Mechatronics Engineering and a knack for making AI easier to understand, Blake brings his practical experience and fresh perspective on what AI could mean for your business.
WORKSHOPS
Friday 7 May – 2:00PM-4:30PM
Where is your business making money, where is it losing margin, and what could you be doing differently?
This practical, interactive workshop with Luke Kemeys will help you get a better handle on the numbers that drive profitability in your business. From pricing and charge-out rates to labour productivity, gross profit and growing revenue, you’ll explore where the opportunities are and what you can do to make your business more profitable.
Expect practical examples, plenty of discussion and the chance to work through your own business numbers, leaving with three clear actions to put into practice over the next 90 days.
Friday 7 May – 2:00PM-4:30PM
Back by popular demand after her keynote at our 2026 conference, Lucy leads a practical, interactive workshop on bringing out the best in yourself and your team.
You’ll learn to recognise and use strengths, manage emotions under pressure, and shift conversations from problems to solutions.
You’ll leave with tools to help your people solve problems and take greater ownership, rather than relying on you for every answer.
Friday 7 May – 2:00PM-4:30PM
Following Blake’s presentation, this hands-on workshop shows you how to put AI to work in your own plumbing business.
You’ll set it up using your own business information, practise turning rough job notes into quotes and customer emails, and build a reusable tool for a task you tackle regularly.
You’ll leave with working tools, guidance on using AI safely, and two or three practical ways to start saving time straight away.
YOUR MC'S
KATE RODGER
Kate Rodger is one of New Zealand’s best-known film journalists and broadcasters, with more than 20 years’ experience covering entertainment, interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest names and reporting from major international film festivals and awards ceremonies.
Formerly Entertainment Editor and Film Critic at Newshub, Kate is now a familiar face across TVNZ, RNZ and The Breeze, alongside her work as an MC, presenter and interviewer.
With a career spent around some of the world’s biggest awards and entertainment events, Kate knows how to bring a room together and will add plenty of energy, personality and humour to the NZ Plumbing Awards night.
JEHAN CASINADER
It’s just not Conference without Jehan Casinader!
Award-winning journalist, author and professional speaker, Jehan has become a familiar face on the Conference stage, with a knack for making big ideas easy to understand and getting great conversations going.
A former Reporter of the Year, Jehan now works with organisations across New Zealand and Australia, delivering keynotes, workshops and live events on communication, leadership and navigating a changing world.
Back for his fifth Conference, Jehan will once again MC the day programme, bringing his trademark warmth, sharp thinking and ability to get the best out of every conversation on stage.
DEMONSTRATION DAY
We’re bringing more buzz to the trade expo floor this year with our brand-new Demonstration Day.
Get amongst the stands, check out the latest products and innovations, ask questions and catch up with the people behind the brands. It’s a great chance to see what’s new across the industry and find out more about the products you could be using in your own business.
With tunes and complimentary delegate tote bags to fill with trade goodies and plenty of industry partners showcasing their products, there’ll be even more to see and do.
PLUS: Have your say in Product of the Year!
Voting for the 2027 Product of the Year Awards opens during Demonstration Day. Look out for the finalist markers on exhibitor stands, find out more about their nominated products and cast your vote for your favourite.
Every delegate gets one vote, making up 50% of the final result. The judges contribute the other 50%, with the winner announced at the NZ Plumbing Awards on Friday night.