We are excited to announce our Keynote Presenters for the PENZ Conference. These presenters are leaders and innovators in their respective fields, bringing valuable insights and inspiration to attendees.
Keynote Presenters
Dr Craig Harrison is New Zealand’s leading thinker in athlete development. With a PhD in applied sports science, more than 165 episodes hosting his poplar podcast, The Athlete Development Show, and over 20 years’ experience working in youth sport, Craig has much to share with audiences.
Craig believes in founding the sports experience on what we know about human learning and development to grow the person within every athlete. With a broad range of experiences and an in-depth understanding of the science, Craig works with senior leaders, coaches and athletes from a diverse range of organisations and schools to create exceptional learning environments. His work currently includes projects with New Zealand Cricket, Volleyball New Zealand, Canada Skateboard, Snow Sports New Zealand, Saint Kentigern, Saint Cuthbert’s College, and more.
As a keynote speaker, Craig delivers engaging and insightful presentations to parents, coaches, and athletes. He has an ability to quickly connect with an audience, capture interest, and make complex topics meaningful and easy to understand. People leave his sessions entertained, informed, and inspired to make real change.
As a researcher, Craig supervises a team of postgraduate Masters and Doctoral students at the University of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand.
At home, Craig is married to ex-professional athlete Anna Harrison, dad to three beautiful children, and host of a friendly springer spaniel, two chickens, and two ducks.
Mai Chen is a barrister who is one of NZ’s top constitutional and administrative law experts and was previously:
- Senior and Founding Partner, Chen Palmer Public and Employment law Specialists, New Zealand, NZ’s first public law specialist firm she founded with the Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer
- Former Adjunct Professor at University of Auckland School of Law and was previously Adjunct Professor in Commercial and Public Law at the University of Auckland, Business School
- Chair the Superdiversity Institute of Law, Policy and Business
- President of New Zealand Asian Lawyers.
- Former independent non-executive Director, Bank of NZ Board and Chair, BNZ People and Remuneration Committee
- Securities Commission member
- Inaugural Chair, NZ Global Women, NZ Asian Leaders, Superdiverse Women
- Top 10 finalist, 2014 and 2016 New Zealander of the Year
- Top 50 Diversity Figures in Public Life, Global Diversity List supported by The Economist
- She was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Otago in 2023 for her contribution to the legal profession and to Public Law and has an Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and graduated top equal with an Law Honours degree from Otago University.
Mai’s family emigrated to NZ in 1970, and her father was an Olympics gymnastic coach who trained the Taiwan and NZ Gymnastics team and her mother was a top track and field athlete in high and long jump and sprint. Mai is an ex-gymnast and ex track and field record holder and does one or all of the following every day - runs, cycles, lifts weights and yoga.
Guest Presenters
Awards Evening MC
Gregor Fountain is Sport New Zealand’s Strategic Engagement Manager. In this role, he supports Sport New Zealand and its partners to effectively engage with the education sector. Prior to joining Sport New Zealand, Gregor had more than 25 years as a secondary school teacher and leader. He was the principal of Paraparaumu College (2013-2018) and Wellington College (2018-2022).
Conference MC
Rob is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise at Unitec in Auckland. While the main focus of his current role is on coaching and exercise, his connection to the Health & Physical Education community spans over two decades. First as a primary school teacher in the US, then as a secondary school teacher after moving to NZ in 2002, as well as in an HPE degree at the tertiary level.
Rob loves helping people learn and grow as they prepare for work in the sport, recreation, and exercise industry. When he’s not teaching or coaching, Rob loves being active outdoors with his partner and three daughters.
PENZ President & Board Chair
Dr. Susannah Smith, is a prominent figure in physical education and child well-being in New Zealand. She serves as the President and Board Chair of Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ), where she leverages her extensive experience to advance quality physical education nationwide. 
Susie holds a Master’s in Education, focusing on the educative value of sport, and a PhD in Health Sciences from the University of Canterbury. Her doctoral research explored movement pleasure and well-being in secondary school physical education. She is an Associate Professor and the Head of School for the University of Canterbury, School of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, Faculty of Education.
Susie is passionate about enhancing physical education and well-being for all learners across New Zealand, striving to create inclusive and empowering learning environments.