Leadership Speakers
Essential Talent represents New Zealand's leading leadership speakers: All Blacks coaches and captains, former prime ministers, CEOs and company directors who talk about leading people, making decisions under pressure and building teams that perform. They're booked for leadership summits, conferences, executive offsites and emerging-leader programmes around New Zealand and Australia.
Every speaker on this page is available to book through Essential Talent. Tell us who you're developing and what you want to change, and we'll recommend two or three who fit.
Popular leadership speakers by topic
High-performance teams and coaching: Gilbert Enoka, Sir Graham Henry, Ian Foster, Kieran Read
Leading organisations from the boardroom: Dame Theresa Gattung, Dame Joan Withers, Rob Campbell, Sinead Boucher
Leadership in public life: Sir John Key, Paula Bennett, Simon Bridges
Purpose-driven and community leadership: Dave Letele, Mike King, Dr Paul Wood
Next-generation and women's leadership: Ruby Tui, Alexia Hilbertidou
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should we book a leadership speaker?
We recommend booking 8–12 weeks ahead for most speakers, and earlier for the busy conference seasons (March to June and August to November) or high-demand names. We can often arrange a speaker at short notice, so it's worth asking even if your event is close.
Can a leadership talk be tailored to our organisation?
Yes. Our speakers meet with you before the event to understand your team, your challenges and what you want people to do differently afterwards. They then shape their stories and examples around that.
Can leadership speakers run a workshop as well as a keynote?
Many can. A popular format is a keynote in the morning followed by a smaller workshop or Q&A with your leadership team. Let us know what you have in mind and we'll check which speakers offer it.
Do your speakers travel outside Auckland?
Yes. Our speakers present throughout New Zealand and Australia. Travel and accommodation are usually charged on top of the speaking fee, and we'll include them in your quote upfront.
How do I book a leadership speaker through Essential Talent?
Click "Enquire" on any speaker's profile or call 0508 825 368 with your event date, location, audience size and budget. We'll check availability and come back with a shortlist within one business day.