Mark McCrindle is a social researcher, best-selling author and TEDx speaker. He is a sought after thought-leader in tracking emerging trends influencing society, and is recognised globally as the one to coin the name for the emerging global generation, Generation Alpha.

As a renown demographer and futurist, Mark has developed his reputation across two decades as an award-winning social researcher, best-selling author and social commentator. Mark has appeared across all major television networks, radio and print media, and has twice been invited to speak at TEDx events. He has presented thousands of keynotes and workshops in all major industries including, finance, technology, health, mining, energy and education.

Mark’s advisory, communications and research company, McCrindle, count among its clients more than 100 of the largest companies and leading international brands. Mark’s highly valued social commentary is presented through his engaging keynotes, research, reports, infographics, videos and media input. He is a trusted advisor and sits on the board of a number of different organisations, after having developed his regard as an expert demographer, futurist and social commentator.

Mark McCrindle, BSc (Psychology), MA, is the author of five books on emerging trends and social change. Generation Alpha, Work Wellbeing: Leading Thriving Teams in Rapidly Changing Times, The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations, Word Up: A Lexicon and Guide to Communication in the 21st Century and The Power of Good.

Mike Pero is one of New Zealand’s most recognised business personalities. From a Christchurch motorcycle workshop to national boardrooms and primetime television, his journey is a uniquely Kiwi story of grit, ingenuity, and relentless drive.

Mike’s career began with a wrench in hand, quickly rising from motorcycle mechanic to national road-racing champion, claiming six New Zealand titles—an achievement few have matched in over half a century. His move into life insurance saw him topping national sales charts, achieving Million Dollar Round Table status by age 27. Along the way, he also became a commercial pilot, flying for Mount Cook Airline out of Auckland.

In 1991, Mike took on the major banks with the launch of Mike Pero Mortgages—introducing a customer-focused broker model that redefined the industry. He later co-founded Pacific Simulators, a flight simulator company that sold for $15 million within three years. Then came real estate. In 2011, he launched Mike Pero Real Estate, growing it from a standing start to 62 offices nationwide before it was sold to Australian firm Liberty Financial in a deal estimated at $20 million.

In 2021, Mike returned to public attention as the frontman for TVNZ’s “The Apprentice Aotearoa”, bringing his straight-talking business style and deep understanding of the SME landscape to a national audience.

Respected financial journalist and editor, Bernard Hickey has shaped New Zealand’s media landscape with over two decades of insight into economic affairs.

With a career that’s taken him from Wellington to London, Singapore to Sydney, Bernard’s editorial experience spans major international newsrooms including Reuters, the Financial Times Group, and Fairfax Media.

Throughout his career, Bernard has been at the forefront of digital transformation in media, playing pivotal roles in the formation of platforms like Reuters UK, MSN, and Stuff. His writing and commentary—known for being incisive, clear, and fiercely independent—have made him a familiar voice across television, radio, and print.

Currently based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington, Bernard publishes Hive News, a subscription-based economic and political news service. He remains a regular contributor to Interest.co.nz and the Herald on Sunday, and is known for demystifying complex financial topics such as housing markets, interest rates, global economics, banking, and finance companies.

His independent outlook and deep knowledge of economic trends allow him to challenge assumptions and spark informed debate, whether on-air or in print.

graduated from Canterbury University in 1984 with a Master of Arts (Economics)
degree with first class honours and after briefly working in Sydney with Westpac came back to New Zealand in 1987 to work in the financial sector. His roles have included Treasury Economist
and for 25 years was Chief Economist at one of New Zealand’s leading banks, the Bank of New Zealand. He spends considerable time researching and writing about the New Zealand economy
with special attention to housing and pressures faced by SMEs.

He is an accomplished public speaker much in demand and each year delivers between 50 and 100 presentations around New Zealand and offshore.

Tony has possibly written more about the New Zealand economy than any other economist, having produced daily and weekly commentaries from 1987-1993, then weekly, monthly, quarterly, and many one-off pieces of analysis from 1993 through to 2019. He spent a year and a half chatting about the economy each morning with Paul Holmes from 1992-93, and before that
had a 5.30am slot on Radio Pacific discussing exchange rates.

“What I concentrate on and where my true area of expertise lies, is translating the arcane world of economic developments and trends into a language understandable by most people in the business and home buying sectors.”