Jenny-May Clarkson - Conference MC
We’re thrilled to welcome sporting and broadcasting legend Jenny-May Clarkson as our MC for Whakamanawa 2026. Jenny-May is a dynamic broadcaster, celebrated sportswoman, and advocate for community and cultural empowerment. With over 30 years of professional experience, she has excelled in roles spanning television and radio broadcasting, international sports, coaching, and social advocacy.
Dr Lucy Hone is a world-leading resilience expert and one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most trusted voices on how humans cope with loss, change, and uncertainty. Trained in resilience psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and holding a PhD in wellbeing science, Lucy is an Adjunct Fellow at the Universities of Canterbury and Pittsburgh. Her mission is to make resilience science practical, accessible, and honest — never sugar‑coated or simplistic. Read more.
Fonotī Pati Umaga is a celebrated Samoan musician and dedicated Pacific and disability advocate, with a remarkable life story that has just been showcased in a new theatre work Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan at the Wellington and Auckland Arts Festivals. Read more.
