The global TED conference, which sees thought leaders share ideas in talks of 18 minutes or less, is coming to Wanaka in June.

License holder Jo Guest reckons the event will liven up the year’s shortest day, 21 June, with speakers focusing on the theme of ‘change makers’.

“Wanaka is already full of people with bright ideas and we want to provide a new forum for that creativity and at the same time inject fresh energy from people who are already leading new thinking in other parts of New Zealand and around the world,” Guest says.

The speakers will be confirmed on the event website as the get confirmed. There’ll also be demonstrations and performances.

Guest is the director and co-founder of Mission WOW (Women of winter/wheels/water) events, based in Wanaka.

The organisation runs networking events for outdoorsy women to learn new skills and exchange ideas and experiences. Guest will be working on TEDx Wanaka with local volunteers and is on the hunt for financial and in-kind supporters.

New Zealand already has several TEDx events, with Auckland the longest established. It also runs in Queenstown, Christchurch and Te Aro.