Ngā Kōrero Rererangi Aviation Conversations

Ngā Korero Rererangi Aviation Conversations is a series of free evening talks showcasing Aotearoa and Pacific aviation innovation of the past, present and future.

Set in the Aviation Hall, this an exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with
people and moments that have changed aviation history.

Running over three consecutive months, each Aviation Conversation shines a light on an unique area of aviation.

Thursday 14 September - Warrant Officer PJ Smith
Armed forces through a cultural lens.
A former Māori Cultural Advisor for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, PJ Smith has held a variety of key positions within the NZ Defence Force as well as positions including Programme Principal for the Institute of Leader Development and Area Coordinator for the Northern area of the NZ Cadet Forces. More recently, PJ has held the Manager Te Hono (Māori Kaupapa Team) position at Far North District Council (FNDC), managing a team responsible for assisting Māori within Te Tai Tokerau to navigate the path through council processes and increase cultural awareness within the FNDC.

Thursday 12 October - Carbon Click's Michelle Noordermeer
Reducing aviation carbon emissions.
Michelle has worked in the aviation industry for over 20 years, initially starting out as a flying instructor and moving onto analytical, strategic and business development roles. After realising the impact aviation has on the environment, Michelle became passionate about fighting climate change, while continuing to love the aviation sector. She was awarded Auckland Airport’s ‘Standout Environmental Champion’ in 2019, before joining the founding team in establishing CarbonClick to make a meaningful difference to the industry, people and the planet. CarbonClick is a B-Corp certified enviro-tech business which empowers over 1,000 aviation and e-commerce companies around the world with simple, meaningful and transparent carbon offsetting solutions.

Thursday 9 November - Doris de Pont and friends
How flight uniforms showcase Aotearoa globally.
Doris de Pont ONZM is a multi-award winning New Zealand fashion designer and director of the New Zealand Fashion Museum. New Zealand born but of Dutch descent, de Pont lived in the Netherlands between 1977 and 1984, where she designed clothing as part of a Women’s Fashion Collective in The Hague. On returning to New Zealand in 1985, de Pont opened a retail store in Auckland and from 1989 to 1994 she worked as a freelance designer. During this time de Pont began working with specialist textile designers, resulting in commissions including cabin crew uniforms for Niue Airlines and uniforms for the New Zealand team to the 1993 Gay Games in New York.

Each conversation will be hosted by Lauren Tipene (Ngā Puhi), a presenter and air steward who features in the latest Air NZ safety video.

Doors open at 6:30pm
Conversation starts at 7pm

Cash bar available.

Aviation Conversations is free to attend but you must register to secure your seat.