Symposium 2026
THURSDAY 13 AUGUST
The CREATE Symposium returns to Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay with a programme built
around the one thing regional Aotearoa needs most right now — COLLABORATION.
There is a moment at many regional events when someone uses the word “collaboration” and the room nods politely, before moving on. Everyone agrees it matters. Few agree on what to do next.
CREATE Symposium 2026 is designed to push past that moment.
The symposium will be held at the Havelock North Function Centre on Thursday 13 August, hosted by Ngā Toi Creative Hawke’s Bay in partnership with Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and supported by Creative New Zealand. The kaupapa is clear: bring people together from across the region to connect, share ideas, and explore what collaboration looks like in practice.
This year’s theme lands at exactly the right time. Regional Aotearoa is under pressure. Businesses are managing rising costs. Creative organisations are competing for limited funding. Community and not-for-profit groups are doing more with less. In times like these, the instinct is often to pull inward — to protect what we have and focus on survival.
CREATE makes a different case.
These are the conditions where collaboration becomes not just valuable, but essential. The CREATE Symposium will bring together individuals, artists, creatives, businesses, community organisations and regional leaders — our innovators, thinkers and doers. Together, we will connect, challenge thinking, and explore how working collectively can unlock new possibilities for our region.
CREATE SYMPOSIUM
WHEN: Thursday 13 August 2026, 8.30am to 6:30pm
COST: $90 per person
WHERE: Havelock North Function Centre
Attend both events for EARLY BIRD price of $150 per person
THE PROFIT: UNLEASHED
WHEN: Thursday 13 August, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
COST: $80 per person
WHERE: The Atrium, Tribune Precinct
Attend both events for EARLY BIRD price of $150 per person
OUR KEYNOTES
DAVID TRUBRIDGE
JEREMY TĀTERE MACLEOD
LOCAL CREATIVE LEADERS AND BUSINESSES
+ Workshops and collaboration events throughout the day
THEME
The CREATE Symposium 2026 theme is COLLABORATION exploring how shared vision and shared value can create meaningful collective impact across regional Aotearoa.
The programme focuses on practical learning and real-world application. It includes six interactive workshops, each led by two facilitators bringing different perspectives to the same theme. These are complemented by keynote speakers who will inspire, challenge thinking, and share their experiences.
The afternoon features a Collaboration Roundtable, bringing together regional leaders to explore opportunities and share insight. It creates space to reflect, connect and consider what meaningful collaboration looks like in practice across our region right now.
Together, we will explore how to harness the transformative power of collaboration across business, creative practice, whānau and community.
We invite individuals, business owners, creatives, community organisations and leaders to come together to connect, be inspired, and experience collaboration in a meaningful and practical way.
Great things grow here! Yes they do…Te Matau-a-Maui Hawke’s Bay is home to a broad range of world leading individuals, businesses, products and organisations. We are known for our innovative thinking, creative practice and skills in developing cutting edge ideas and resources.
Food bowl of New Zealand – exporting 64% of New Zealand’s apples to global markets as well as other fresh produce, meat, fish, seafood and artisan cheeses. New Zealand’s oldest wine region, recently crowned 12th Great Wine Capital of the World.
With such a creative and innovative community, Hawke’s Bay is also home to World leading designers, innovators, architects, artists, wine growers, film makers and rocket scientists.
NETWORKING
In 2025, delegates told us that the opportunity to connect and network was one of the most valuable parts of the day. Building on this feedback, the 2026 session provides greater space to collaborate and strengthen relationships across sectors.
After the ‘main event’ it’s time to connect, reflect and celebrate the day.
The CREATE Symposium team invites you to enjoy local canapés, with a cash bar available, while connecting with like-minded people in a relaxed and informal setting. It’s a chance to build new relationships, continue the kōrero, and reconnect with others across the community.
Expect a vibrant close to the day — with live performances from local musicians, poets or cultural groups to send us off on an inspired high.
Collaboration UNLEASHED
The Profit: Unleashed has partnered with the CREATE Symposium to show collaboration in practice. It is a chance to come together and celebrate all things CREATE-ive across Te Matau-a-Maui.
A special panel of guests is being currated for the event which promises to be a smashing line up.
The Profit business magazine has ignited the Hawke’s Bay business scene with The Profit Unleashed, an event series unlike anything the region has experienced before. It celebrates local leaders with hosts Damon Harvey and Yvonne Lorkin diving into 9 rounds of questions. Guests in the past have included Charlie Wallace, Hamish Pinkham and Irene van Dyk.
This dynamic event series brings the region’s business community together in a fresh, fun, and high-energy way. Expect the unexpected!
Our Keynotes
The CREATE Team have curated keynotes, workshops and a collaboration forum aimed to inspire, ignite ideas and share a journey across the creative, business and community sectors. Our keynotes and facilitators will weave together the evolution of their personal stories, the value of creative and innovative thinking, and the importance of COLLABORATION.
DAVID TRUBRIDGE
From David’s beginnings as a forester and furniture maker, a deep connection to nature was built. His seafaring journeys around the world gave him an even deeper respect for nature. In the 80s, David and his young family stayed onshore in various Pacific Islands which gave him an awareness of living in harmony with the earth.
His company is no different, every single product is the result of inspections and inspirations from mother nature. The processing and manufacturing of all his designs done as environmentally as possible.
JEREMY TĀTERE MACLEOD
Dr. Jeremy MacLeod (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a leader in Māori language revitalisation and community development. His work involves facilitating language and cultural programmes that strengthen Māori identity and wellbeing. Jeremy’s contributions to Māori language initiatives and his role as an advisor reflect his deep commitment to preserving and promoting te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori across Aotearoa.
Jeremy’s leadership in te reo Māori revitalisation includes creating transformative programmes that connect language, culture, and wellbeing. His work ensures future generations can engage with and sustain the richness of te reo Māori.
Workshops and a collaboration Roundtable...
Ngā Toi Creative Hawke’s Bay has identified current trends that a broad range of sectors are asking deep questions about and how we can do this better. The format of each workshop will provide two facilitator providing two different perspectives. A dynamic Collaboration Roundtable bringing people together across sectors to share ideas, explore real challenges, and uncover opportunities for working better together across our region. With a series of facilitated table conversations, participants will connect with new voices, exchange perspectives, and contribute to shaping practical, collective approaches to collaboration in action. Across the day the CREATE Symposium will provide for creatives, businesses, community organisations including not-for-profits to collaborate on the following hot topics.
Digital Marketing Social Media
Overview:
A dynamic workshop exploring digital marketing, brand PR, and social media identity—where collaboration sparks authentic storytelling, amplifies reach, and builds brands that connect, engage, and endure.
Workshop
Damon Harvey
Jodine McIntyre
Funding and Investment Strategies
Overview:
A practical workshop on creating funding and investment strategies where collaboration drives sustainable growth, financial clarity, and long-term impact.
Workshop
David Clapperton
Jenni Giblin
AI - Artificial Intelligence Tech World
Overview:
Lets discuss the elephant in the room and explore AI in the tech world where collaboration unlocks innovation, efficiency, and new creative and commercial possibilities.
Workshop
Dan Browne
Callum Ross
Te Ao Māori Worldview
Overview:
A workshop exploring Te Ao Māori perspectives on economy, business, arts, and culture—where collaboration honours tikanga, strengthens relationships, and fosters sustainable, values-led growth.
Workshop
Heather Skipworth
Dr Anthony Cole
Pricing and Sales Skills
Overview:
A practical pricing and sales workshop for businesses and creatives seeking profitability and growth—where collaboration builds confidence, value-driven pricing, and sustainable revenue without compromising creative energy.
Workshop
Hayden Burgess
John Hutchinson
Intergenerational collaboration
Overview:
A workshop on intergenerational collaboration, bringing together older and younger voices to explore mindset, wellbeing and shared learning. Through purpose, values, curiosity and a growth mindset, participants will exchange perspectives, strengthen connections, and unlock collective potential across generations.
Workshop
Fee Webby
Myah Houthuijzen
COLLABORATION Forum
Overview:
A masterclass on collaboration in action—uniting leaders and participants to shape a regional strategy, capturing insights on key challenges across business, creative, community, and not-for-profit sectors in regional New Zealand.
Masterclass
A broad range of invited local leaders
Looking to stay over?
Grab some deals on accommodation for your stay in Hawke's Bay.
PORTERS BOUTIQUE HOTEL
HAVELOCK NORTH
Located in Havelock North just down the road from the Havelock Function Centre, Porters Hotel is offering the Create Symposium delegates special rates. The offer is available between Wednesday 12th of August and Sunday 16th of August 2026.
Code: CREATE2026
NOTE: Offer only available from 19th May until Thursday 30th of July 2026. After the 30th of July, guests are still able to book at our best available rates (advertised on the website).
Please book directly via the WEBSITE HERE
QUEST HOTEL
HASTINGS
Quest Hotel in the middle of Hastings offers apartments for teams to come to Hawke’s Bay.
Modern comfort with a true village feel
Our large Studio (special rate of $205.00), One Bedroom ($235.00) provide the space and convenience you need, including full kitchens, laundry facilities and a comfortable living area. Enjoy the benefit of a central location while experiencing the best of this North Island destination.
Please book directly via the WEBSITE HERE or call 06 280 6222
REGISTRATION
To register for CREATE Symposium 2026 please follow the link below.
NOTE:
Payment to be made at time of registration.
Our Supporters:
