What was the most interesting New Zealand company that caught your eye?
Shore Junction – a youth focused innovation hub and co-working space set to open its doors in 2019.
What about internationally?
Soul Machines. Okay still NZ but taking the world by storm!
What was the most interesting launch/trend/idea/building/product of the year?
Bhive in Smales Farm. Yet another fantastic co-working space that’s built around the concept of collaboration. Plus it’s a beautiful space – the stairwell alone is work of art!
Most exciting project you worked on this year?
Taking on the role of Principal at Albany Senior Secondary School and having the privilege to take what is already an awesome secondary school to the next level.
What public event that impacted on or affected you the most?
Our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford having a baby – not only is she knocking it out the park on the global stage, they are also smashing stereotypes about what having a family and kickass career can look like. It’s a space I’ve always determinedly claimed, but when a leader of a country role models it, it takes it to the next level.
What was your favourite book/TV show/podcast/album/website/ magazine/story/performance enhancing of 2018?
On a personal level I really enjoyed The Crown. I was also involved in creating a podcast series about education called DisruptED (you can find us on Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/disruptednz ).
Heroes?
Jacinda Ardern, the women of #metoo, James Shaw, all of the teachers of NZ and Ann Milne for encouraging people to “colour in the white spaces” in education.
Villains?
Donald Trump and anyone not taking climate change seriously.
Your own personal highlight?
Landing my dream job – Principal of Albany Senior High School.
Biggest learning for you?
Look, listen and learn then act swiftly. Be positive, be transparent and always honour the work that has gone on before you.
Going into 2019, what’s the change you want to see in the world?
Making inroads to tackle climate change and the problem of plastic.
What should be invented and/or un-invented in the next year?
Something that easily and cheaply breaks down existing plastics / plastic production must be stopped.
Is it the robots we should be worried about, or the humans?
The humans! Have you seen what we are doing to our planet?
How long before we have: DNA modification?
Isn’t that here now?
Driverless cars?
5 years
Immortality?
Never – we need the space on our planet!
Cities that all look like Venice?
In the Pacific? Sooner than we think.
No animals farmed or eaten?
10 years
Medical cannabis sold at the chemist?
2 years
Non-human, AI lovers?
Surely they exist already somewhere?
Chips implanted in our brains?
10 years
Colonies on Mars?
20 years
Secure bunkers to protect us from the zombie apocalypse?
Isn’t that NZ already. Bolthole for the rich and famous/bunker for the zombie apocalypse. Just don’t let Donald Trump know…
