Exploring the trends, cycles and shifts shaping the future of property.
All timings remain subject to change without notice.
Watch this space as Site Tours are announced!
Kick off TPC26 in style at our welcome function. Join us for an evening of networking, games, and good vibes in a fun, relaxed setting.
Proudly sponsored by 
Master of Ceremonies
Leonie Freeman
Chief Executive Officer, Property Council New Zealand
Dr. Merriden Varrall
CEO and Founder, vantage geopol
Richard Yetsenga
Group Chief Economist & Head of Research, ANZ
Meaning refreshment, snack, smoko, morning tea.
Dr. Rod Carr
Former Chair, Climate Change Commission
Meaning to have lunch.
Meaning refreshment, snack, smoko, afternoon tea.
Jacqui Cooper
Olympian, Motivational Speaker
Proudly sponsored by
Michael McQueen
Global Futurist
Meaning refreshment, snack, smoko, morning tea.
Rachael Robertson
Leadership Expert
Leonie Freeman
Chief Executive, Property Council New Zealand
A well-respected industry leader, Leonie has extensive experience in the New Zealand property industry, having held top positions in both the public and private sector. From creating the concept of what is now realestate.co.nz, to buying and transforming her own residential property management business, helping establish the new Auckland Council, and managing asset development for Housing New Zealand, there’s not many areas of property that Leonie has not touched.
In 2011, Leonie was appointed to the board of NZX listed company Goodman Property Trust, and up until her 2018 appointment as Property Council’s Chief Executive, she dedicated her time to leading an independent philanthropic initiative to solve Auckland’s housing crisis.
Leonie holds a Master of Commerce, majoring in valuation and property management and is a life member of the Property Institute of New Zealand, a chartered member of the Institute of Directors, and a member of Global Women. In 2017 she was awarded the Property Institute’s Supreme Property Award, and the Property Council Auckland Property People Judges Choice Award, and in 2020 she received the prestigious Bledisloe Medal from Lincoln University.
Michael McQueen understands what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Recently ranked #11 among the world’s top futurists, Michael is widely recognized for having his finger on the pulse of change, helping clients ranging from Google to Toyota and Mastercard navigate uncertainty and stay ahead of the curve.
A bestselling author of 10 books, Michael’s latest release was named by Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant as one of the top five must-read new leadership books. He is a sought-after media commentator, with his insights regularly featured in Forbes, The Guardian, and CNN.
Having presented to over 500,000 people across five continents since 2004, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit, having shared the stage with the likes of Mel Robbins and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael has also been inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.
How do organisations stay relevant when the pace of change has never been faster or more unpredictable? In this forward-focused session, Michael McQueen will explore the trends reshaping business, leadership, and consumer behaviour, and what it takes to stay ahead of the curve.
Drawing on over two decades of research into disruption, innovation, and future trends, Michael will unpack the mindset shifts and strategies required to thrive in uncertainty. From navigating rapid technological change to fostering adaptability and curiosity within teams, he will provide practical tools to help leaders respond with clarity and confidence.
Engaging, insightful, and highly relevant, this session will challenge attendees to think differently about the future – equipping them with the foresight and agility needed to remain competitive, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
Dr Merriden Varrall is a geopolitical strategist and insights consultant, helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. She provides expert analysis on global, regional, and local trends, supporting clients to manage risk and identify opportunity.
Formerly KPMG Australia’s Lead Partner for geopolitics and now Special Advisor for KPMG South ASPAC, Merriden is a sought-after commentator on East Asia, China’s foreign policy, and Australia–China relations. Her work has appeared in leading publications including The New York Times, Foreign Policy, and Nikkei Asian Review.
She previously led the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute and is now a Non-Resident Fellow. Merriden has also worked as a senior UN diplomat in China.
She holds a PhD in Chinese foreign policy and lived and worked in China for nearly eight years, including lecturing in foreign policy.
As global power dynamics shift and strategic competition intensifies, geopolitical risk is increasingly shaping trade, policy, investment and supply chains across our region.
In this timely opening keynote, Dr. Merriden Varrall will unpack the forces driving today’s uncertainty – the structural shifts and megatrends that shape everything from US–China tensions to evolving Indo-Pacific alliances – and explore what they mean for Australia, New Zealand and the broader business community. This session will provide leaders with practical insights to navigate risk, build resilience and lead with confidence in an increasingly complex world.
Rachael led the Australian expedition to Davis Station, Antarctica – the second female to lead a team at the Station and the youngest ever leader.
She managed a team of 18 people through the long, dark, Antarctic winter and, through trial and error, built a resilient and highly successful team based on the foundation that ‘respect trumps harmony’.
Since returning, Rachael has completed her MBA, written 2 best-selling books, Leading on the Edge and Respect Trumps Harmony, and has presented at over 2000 events around the world.
What can a year in Antarctica teach us about leading through pressure, uncertainty, and constant change? Rachael Robertson draws on her experience leading a 58-person expedition in one of the most extreme environments on earth to share practical, hard-earned leadership lessons.
With warmth and humour, Rachael explores how trust, respect, and clear communication become critical when small issues can quickly escalate. She challenges traditional ideas of leadership, showing why “respect trumps harmony” and how embracing differences can strengthen team performance.
Highly relevant to today’s business environment, this session will offer simple, actionable strategies to build resilient, high-performing teams, manage conflict effectively, and lead with clarity under pressure. Attendees will leave better equipped to navigate challenges, foster accountability, and create cultures where people can thrive—even in the toughest conditions.
Dr. Rod Carr was the inaugural Chair of New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission and has advised six governments over four decades. He has held key roles including Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, founding Chair of the National Infrastructure Advisory Board, and Chair of the Health Funding Taskforce. He currently serves as a director of ASB Bank and a trustee of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, and works in his family business delivering solar energy solutions.
Rod’s career spans academia, governance, and finance, including Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury and roles with Lyttelton Port Company and Ōtākaro. Earlier, he worked with Bank of New Zealand and NAB in Melbourne.
He holds five degrees from institutions including Wharton, Columbia, and the University of Otago. Despite being legally blind since birth, Rod has completed 23 marathons worldwide, including in Antarctica and North Korea.
What does climate change mean for the future of business, investment, and the built environment in Aotearoa? In this timely session, Dr Rod Carr will examine where New Zealand stands in the global climate response, highlighting both progress and pressing challenges.
From advances in renewable energy and emissions reduction to areas where policy, pace, and public engagement are falling short, Rod will provide a candid, balanced view of the country’s performance. He will explore where New Zealand is demonstrating leadership in sustainability and innovation, while also identifying where faster, smarter action is needed to meet international commitments.
Looking ahead, this session will unpack the strategies, partnerships, and mindset shifts required to accelerate meaningful change. Thought-provoking and highly relevant, it will challenge attendees to think critically about New Zealand’s role, and the practical steps needed to build a more sustainable future.
Jacqui Cooper is an energetic and engaging speaker who leaves audiences inspired and motivated. Through honest, authentic storytelling, she creates a strong connection, making her sessions relatable and impactful. Her vibrant personality also makes her an exceptional MC.
A true multi-tasker, Jacqui is a published author of two IVF-inspired books (including a children’s title), company director of Champion Events Pty Ltd, speaker, MC, and Ambassador for La Trobe Financial. She has also developed a gluten-free product range, contributes to 3AW, mentors athletes, supports community causes, and is a mum of three.
At La Trobe Financial, Jacqui delivers leadership and resilience sessions, facilitates emerging leader workshops, and hosts key events. Through Champion Events, she designs memorable team experiences at iconic venues like the MCG and SCG.
A former elite aerial skier, Jacqui represented Australia for over 20 years, competing in 139 World Cups, 9 World Championships, and 5 Winter Olympics. With 5 world titles and 39 World Cup medals, she is widely regarded as the greatest aerial skier of all time.
In this inspiring keynote, Jacqui Cooper will share what it takes to perform at an elite level—especially when facing pressure, setbacks, and uncertainty. Drawing on her remarkable career as a world champion and Olympian, Jacqui will offer powerful insights into resilience, mental toughness, and the discipline required to keep pushing forward.
Through honest storytelling, she will explore the realities behind success—overcoming fear, bouncing back from failure, and staying focused on long-term goals. Jacqui will connect these lessons to the business world, showing how a high-performance mindset can help individuals and teams navigate challenges and drive results.
Engaging and relatable, this session will leave attendees motivated to embrace discomfort, build resilience, and strive for excellence in their own professional journeys.
Richard Yetsenga is Group Chief Economist and Head of Research at ANZ, based in Sydney. He leads the Bank’s global research team, which focuses on Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Richard joined ANZ in 2011 from HSBC in Hong Kong, where he was Managing Director of Emerging Market Strategy. Prior to his seven years at HSBC, Richard held economics roles with Deutsche Bank and the Australian Government.
Richard is a member of ANZ’s Institutional Leadership Team. He is also on the Board of CEDA and is Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s National Youth Employment Body.
Richard is an editorial contributor to the Financial Times, Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Wall Street Journal, Japan’s Nikkei, the Hong Kong Economic Journal and Singapore’s The Business Times. Richard appears regularly on CNBC, China Central TV, Bloomberg TV and other regional media.
Providing a timely overview of the Australasian economy, Richard Yetsenga, Group Chief Economist & Head of Research, ANZ will unpack the key trends shaping Australia and New Zealand’s economic outlook.
Drawing on global and regional insights, Richard will explore the forces influencing growth, including inflation, interest rates, labour markets, and geopolitical uncertainty. He will compare the trajectories of both economies, highlighting where resilience is emerging and where risks remain.
With a practical and forward-looking lens, this session will examine what current conditions mean for business, investment, and the property sector. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the economic landscape and the factors likely to influence decision-making in the months ahead.
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