The Guest Speaker

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Hannah Rogers, an emerging environmental scientist and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato whose research explores epiphytes, ecology, and the future of environmental restoration.Hannah’s connection to the natural world began early, shaped by parents who encouraged curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a deep respect for the environment. But her pathway was not perfectly linear. After beginning university in health science at Otago, Hannah quickly realised something did not feel right and eventually found her way back to ecology and environmental science.Now, through her PhD research, Hannah studies epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants for support - and explores what these often-overlooked species can teach us about restoration, resilience, and the future of our cities.This conversation is for students who love science, nature, fieldwork, research, or simply asking “why?” It is also a reminder that careers are not always obvious from the start, and sometimes the things we are most drawn to are already quietly around us.

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Gemma Thornton, a community rehabilitation coach at Body in Motion in the Bay of Plenty.Gemma’s pathway began with a love of dance, movement, and people. After high school, she studied Sport and Human Performance at Wintec, initially imagining a future as a PE or dance teacher. But as her studies unfolded, and as her own health journey with ulcerative colitis and endometriosis shaped the way she understood the body, recovery, and resilience, Gemma found herself drawn toward rehabilitation, wellbeing, Pilates, and hands-on community health work.Today, Gemma supports ACC clients through programmes like Training for Independence, falls prevention, and Activity with Arthritis, helping people rebuild strength, confidence, independence, and quality of life. Her story is a reminder that if you love health, movement, sport, or helping others, there are so many meaningful career pathways beyond the obvious ones.This kōrero is especially helpful for anyone who learns best by doing, is unsure whether traditional university is the right fit, or is navigating health challenges while trying to figure out what comes next.

Catriona McPherson grew up in Cambridge, surrounded by stories, art, and a curiosity about the world - but like many students drawn to the humanities, she wasn’t sure exactly where that path could lead.In this episode, Catriona shares how she turned a love of art history into a meaningful career at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - one of New Zealand’s most iconic cultural institutions. She takes us through her journey from studying art history at Victoria University of Wellington to starting on the museum floor as a host, and gradually working her way into the highly specialised world of copyright, licensing, and cultural stewardship across the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums).Today, as a Rights Manager at Te Papa, Catriona works behind the scenes to manage how artworks, images, and cultural materials are used - from exhibitions and digital platforms to education resources - helping balance access, storytelling, and respect for creators and communities.This episode is for anyone interested in history, culture, storytelling, or careers that sit outside the “obvious” path - and for those wanting to turn curiosity into meaningful work.© Te Papa

Luke’s story begins on the Coromandel Peninsula, where a childhood shaped by the ocean, small community living, and hands-on learning laid the foundation for everything that followed.In this episode, Luke shares how his pathway into hospitality wasn’t driven by academic success, but by practical skills, people, and a willingness to work hard. Navigating school with dyslexia and struggling in traditional classroom settings, he found confidence in hands-on environments - from woodwork to cooking - eventually discovering a passion for the kitchen while working part-time washing dishes.That early experience grew into a career built through real-world learning. Luke takes us through his journey from local kitchens to working across New Zealand, Samoa, and Australia - learning from different chefs, environments, and cultures along the way. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, resilience, and saying yes to opportunities, even when they’re uncertain.Returning home in his early twenties, Luke opened a small food caravan with no long-term plan - simply to surf, cook, and enjoy the Coromandel lifestyle. What followed was an unintentional but powerful example of entrepreneurship, as that small setup evolved into what is now known as Luke’s Kitchen - a thriving, community-loved destination built over years of adaptation, problem-solving, and growth.Luke also opens up about the realities of running a business - from learning tax and employment the hard way, to building a team, managing growth, and creating a culture where staff feel like family. His story highlights that success doesn’t always come from a clear plan - sometimes it comes from backing yourself, working hard, and staying open to where opportunities lead.This episode is for students exploring career options, anyone considering hospitality as a pathway, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those who learn best by doing rather than sitting in a classroom.His biggest lessons? Lean into your strengths. Learn by doing. Surround yourself with good people. And don’t wait for the perfect plan to get started.

Rebecca grew up around the ocean in the Bay of Islands, where a love for sailing started early and steadily evolved into a career on the global stage.In this episode, Rebecca shares how she turned that passion into a profession — beginning with a rigging apprenticeship in Auckland and building her career through hands-on experience, technical skill, and strong industry connections. What followed was a pathway that took her from local boatyards to some of the biggest international sailing events in the world.Today, Rebecca is a professional sailor and rigger competing globally, and part of the history-making crew that completed the first all-female non-stop circumnavigation of the globe — finishing in just 57 days and breaking long-standing records.She opens up about what it really takes to build a career in professional sailing: combining trade skills with athletic performance, navigating a fast-moving, relationship-driven industry, and managing the realities of freelance work across countries and teams.Her biggest lessons? Build a skill set that makes you valuable. Stay adaptable. Back yourself in new environments. And understand that careers can be built in many different ways — especially in industries where experience and reputation matter.For students interested in sport, travel, or hands-on career pathways, this conversation offers a real look into how passion, skill, and opportunity can come together on a global stage.#careers #sailing #sportsindustry #newzealand #apprenticeships #podcast

Jaime Leigh grew up in Katikati, went to a small-town college, and always knew she wanted to be a hairdresser — even before she understood where that path could lead. What she didn’t know was that it would take her from a polytech classroom to Peter Jackson film sets, and eventually to Hollywood, where she would become a BAFTA and Emmy Award-nominated hairstylist.In this episode, Jaime shares the real journey behind the glamour: knocking on salon doors, ignoring discouraging voices, saying yes to a last-minute Wellington opportunity, entering the U.S. Green Card lottery for five years straight, and starting again from scratch in Los Angeles. She opens up about working on major productions like Oppenheimer, The Hobbit, and Babylon, designing wigs for A-list actors, and what it’s actually like to be on set for 14–18 hour days.Her biggest lessons? Stay grounded. Focus on the work. Protect trust. Save your money. And remember that creative trade pathways can lead to global careers — if you’re willing to keep showing up and doing the job well.For students who love hair, fashion, film, or hands-on creative work, this conversation is proof that small-town beginnings can lead to world-class stages. Check out her podcast with a plethora of experts in the field #lastlooks.crew #careers #filmindustry #hairandmakeup #newzealand #creativepathways #podcast

Ellen Butler’s story begins on the Coromandel Peninsula, where a childhood filled with surf lifesaving, sport, and community shaped the social, confident foundation she would later take into the world of superyachts. In this episode, Ellen traces her winding path from “top end of average” student to flight-attendant hopeful, to au pair in Sydney and France, and finally to a 90-metre Russian-owned superyacht that would launch a seven-and-a-half-year global career. She explains the realities behind the glossy Instagram version of yachting: intense service standards, 12–14 hour days, owners who may never speak to you, the pressure of living at work, and the moments of magic that still take your breath away. Along the way, she breaks down pay, training, safety, seasickness, and why personality - not just qualifications - opens doors.Now back home, Ellen teaches at the New Zealand Superyacht Academy and co-runs Coromandel Weddings, translating seven-star service into unforgettable events. Her biggest message for young people? You don’t need to have life figured out at eighteen. Yachting can be a six-month adventure or a full career - what matters is going in prepared, aware, and confident in your own skills. This conversation is an honest, warm, and rare window into an industry many Kiwi teens dream about but few truly understand.#superyachts #careers #podcast #newzealand

Mitchell Lamb went from Cambridge classrooms and water polo training to rafting some of the world’s wildest rivers, and now helps teenagers turn whitewater into a way of life. In this episode, Mitchell traces his journey from “relatively academic kid” to Program Director at World Class Academy, a travelling high school for adventure athletes that treats rivers, trails, and cultures as the curriculum.We talk about his decision to skip the straight-to-uni conveyor belt and head to Tai Poutini Polytechnic on the West Coast, where two years of outdoor ed, 10-day bush trips, and full-immersion learning fast-tracked his maturity in ways a lecture theatre never could. Mitchell breaks down what those programs actually involve—costs, study load, the gear, the lifestyle—and how that diploma led to raft-guiding seasons in Turangi, California, Canada, and ultimately to the famous Kaituna River.Mitchell also lifts the curtain on World Class Academy: a US-accredited high school that moves through Canada, New Zealand, South America, Europe & more while students spend their mornings in small-group classes, then hit whitewater every afternoon. We dive into safety, risk and resilience, what it’s really like to be “on” 24/7 as a teacher–guide–mentor, and how he navigates deep relationships with students who may see him as coach, big brother, and sometimes stand-in parent.Finally, Mitchell reflects on what all this means for life after World Class - how you turn a love of rivers into a sustainable career, why outdoor ed still matters in a tech-saturated world, and the advice he’d give his Year 12–13 self (and any student who feels more at home on a rock ledge or in a kayak than behind a desk): follow the opportunities that light you up, jump in headfirst, and trust that something good will come from backing what you love.Thanks Lamb!! Enjoy everyone!

From “class clown” to Officer of the NZ Order of Merit, Dai Henwood opens up about the real work behind making people laugh: curiosity, grit, and character. He traces the spark from Wellington College to Victoria University, the moment he realized he was a comedian, and the work ethic he learned watching his parents. We dive into people skills as a superpower, saying yes to scary opportunities, and the women who’ve backed him at every step.Dai also shares his candid philosophy while living with stage-four cancer—why he waited two years to go public, how to feel emotions rather than outrun them, and the mantra that keeps him grounded: “Optimism won’t cure me, but pessimism will kill me.”Above accolades and TV gigs, Dai’s proudest achievement is the person he’s become as a husband and father—proof that success is who you are, not what you have.It’s truly a gift to share this episode with Dai Henwood on The Guest Speaker.

In this episode, we sit down with Monique Brownlee, a radiographer whose career offers a behind-the-scenes look at how medical imaging brings healthcare to life. Monique breaks down the difference between radiographers—the professionals who capture images—and radiologists, the doctors who interpret them. From high-tech imaging rooms to real-world patient care, she explains how teamwork, precision, and trust form the backbone of this essential medical field.Monique also sheds light on the humanity within the job, offering students and listeners an engaging peek into a role that blends science, technology, and compassion. Whether you’re curious about healthcare careers or just want to understand what really happens behind an X-ray, this episode reveals the art and impact of medical imaging.00:00 Introduction & Monique’s Path into Medical Imaging00:31 What Radiographers Really Do06:45 Working Alongside Radiologists12:20 The Role of Imaging in Patient Care17:00 Advice for Students Considering Healthcare Careers

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Davies-Colley, a Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist who bridges the worlds of communication and hearing health. From helping children find their voice to supporting adults through hearing loss, Rebecca shares how her work transforms lives through understanding, connection, and care.She takes us through her academic journey—from university lectures to hands-on clinical placements—and unpacks what it’s really like to work in speech therapy and audiology. Rebecca discusses the importance of communication at every stage of life, the growing demand for professionals in the field, and why protecting our hearing is something everyone should take seriously.Reflecting on career pivots, personal growth, and work-life balance in healthcare, she offers grounded advice for students exploring pathways in health sciences. Whether you’re curious about communication disorders, passionate about helping others, or figuring out your next step in education, this conversation provides thoughtful insights into building a meaningful and adaptable career.📝 Chapters00:00 Reconnecting & Reflecting on the Past02:47 Career Pathways in Speech & Language Therapy05:52 University Journey & Specialisation08:53 High School Decisions & Academic Choices11:48 Choosing Speech & Language Therapy14:49 Inside the SLT Programme Structure17:57 What Speech Therapists Actually Do20:56 Accessing Therapy Services in NZ24:05 Communication Styles & Challenges26:50 Transitioning into Audiology29:56 The Role of Audiologists in Healthcare32:54 Hearing Loss & Its Impact on Life35:49 The Importance of Ear Protection38:57 Career Earnings & Work-Life Balance41:47 Advice for Aspiring Speech & Hearing Professionals44:38 Final Thoughts & Reflections

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Putt, a vineyard manager at Craggy Range Vineyard—one of New Zealand’s most iconic family-owned wineries. Located in Hawke’s Bay beneath the striking Te Mata Peak, Craggy Range is renowned for its terroir-driven wines, world-class sustainability practices, and stunning scenery.Nick shares his journey from navigating high school pressures to studying horticulture at Massey University and building a career in viticulture. He takes us behind the scenes of vineyard life at Craggy Range—from the annual cycle of vineyard management and the challenges of the industry to the innovations driving sustainability. He also offers candid advice for students considering similar career paths and reflects on the importance of adaptability, people skills, and following your interests.Whether you’re curious about the wine industry, exploring career pathways, or simply enjoy hearing inspiring career stories, this conversation uncorks valuable insights into education, adaptability, and personal growth.📝 Chapters00:00 Navigating High School Pressures05:26 Educational Journey and Career Pathways10:13 Experiences at Massey University19:25 Internships and Early Career Development22:41 The Importance of People Skills24:42 Understanding the Wine Industry27:59 Annual Cycle of Vineyard Management34:25 Dealing with Seasonal Challenges37:27 Innovations in Viticulture42:44 Environmental Considerations in Viticulture49:55 Career Reflections and Advice

From school’s easy routine to the rigorous world of the Defence Force, Taylor Ede has been on a journey of challenge, growth, and unexpected opportunities. In this episode, Taylor shares how she went from weighing her next steps after graduation to enlisting in the Army, navigating extended basic training during COVID-19, and later transitioning into the Air Force.We talk about what it really takes to step into military life, from the physical and mental challenges of training to finding a career path in logistics, adapting to change, and carving out space as a young woman in a male-dominated environment. Taylor reflects on the resilience she’s built, the importance of female participation in the Forces, and the possibilities she sees for travel, leadership, and further study.Whether you’re a student curious about life beyond school, someone considering a career in the military, or simply interested in hearing a story of grit and adaptability, this conversation offers an honest look at the realities of service, the lessons it teaches, and the doors it can open.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 From School to the Forces06:03 Why Military Experience Mattered11:57 Inside Basic Training During COVID-1919:51 Discovering Logistics as a Career Path22:15 Transitioning from Army to Air Force29:46 Life on Base and Building Community38:25 Navigating Gender Dynamics46:24 Lessons in Resilience and Growth50:45 Future Aspirations and Opportunities