Mihingarangi Forbes (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Paoa) is an award-winning television journalist and presenter. Throughout her career, she has worked on leading current affairs programmes, including Native Affairs, 60 Minutes, 20/20, and Campbell Live, where she earned a Qantas Award for Best Reporter – Daily Current Affairs.
Currently, Mihi hosts the Māori current affairs show The Hui and was named Best Presenter at the 2020 NZ TV Awards. She also won Best Reporter – Māori Affairs at the 2022 Voyager Media Awards and received the Te Tohu Kairangi Award at the 2024 Voyager Media Awards.
Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and author. His documentary The Confessions of Prisoner T helped overturn Teina Pora’s wrongful conviction, leading to his exoneration. He later directed a TV film on the case and wrote In Dark Places, winning Best Non-Fiction at the Ngaio Marsh Awards.
His novel Better The Blood won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards 2023, with sequels Return To Blood (2024) and Carved In Blood (2025). He is Co-Curator Māori for the Auckland Writers Festival.
Steph Matuku (Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga) is an award-winning author of stories for young people. She has written eight books, including Flight of the Fantail, Falling Into Rarohenga, and Migration for young adults, the Whetū Toa junior fiction series, and picture books The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke and The Dream Factory.
Three of her books have been translated into te reo Māori, two were finalists in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and six were Storylines Notable Books.
Markus Zusak is the award-winning author of six books, including the international bestseller The Book Thief, translated into over 40 languages and adapted into a major motion picture. His other works include The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry, The Messenger, and Bridge of Clay—a sweeping family saga of five brothers.
Zusak lectures globally, sharing insights into his writing journey and the craft behind his acclaimed novels. He grew up in Sydney, Australia, where he lives with his wife and two children.
Do you have something to share with other English teachers? We are now inviting workshop proposals. Being able to attend workshops facilitated by other teachers that demonstrate best practice, share innovative ideas, provide further learning and explore thought-provoking content is a highlight for conference attendees.
You can submit proposals until Friday 2nd May (end of Week 1, Term 2).
Scholarships
Scholarship Information
Scholarships for Student Teachers
To support our future English teachers, NZATE is excited to offer two scholarships for student teachers to attend the NZATE Breath of Change Conference.
These scholarships include:
Student teacher registration fee for the three (3) day conference.
Travel costs to and from Auckland up to $400
Receipts for travel expenses must be supplied. The scholarship DOES NOT include accommodation.
Applications for Member Scholarships have now closed.
Eligibility Criteria
You must be undertaking teacher training through an educational institution.
You will need to:
Supply contact details for a reference who can confirm your eligibility.
Write an article for English in Aotearoa post-conference. This should be a 500-1000 word response to the conference, in which you outline the highlights for you and explore the value of attending an NZATE English conference. This will be due by Friday 8th August.
All applicable travel receipts must be submitted.
Submit your application by completing the form before Friday, 18th April.
Scholarship winners will be announced by Monday 28th April.
NZATE Conference 2025: Breath of Change is in the heart of Auckland City at AUT. There are plenty of local accommodation options, and the venue is close to public transport options if you are coming from further out.
However, if you are looking for a nearby accommodation option, Four Points by Sheraton Auckland is offering a discounted accommodation rate. You can read about the offer and how to book here.
