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    New Zealand's premier business summit is back. 

    Wednesday, 6th May 
    8:30AM - 7:30PM 
    Auckland Viaduct Events Centre

    New Zealand is at an inflection point. The businesses that win the next decade won't be the ones who waited, they'll be the ones who got in the room, made the connections, and went back to work with a different mindset.
    Ignite'26 is where that happens.
     
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    It's time to Ignite'26!

    New Zealand's economy needs its best operators at their best. That's the challenge, and the opportunity, that Ignite'26 is built around.

    We're bringing together the founders who've scaled from the garage to global, the disruptors who've rewritten entire industries, and the coaches who've built champion mindsets that perform when it counts.

    This isn't a day of theory. It's a day of hard-won lessons, genuine connections, and renewed conviction in what's possible — for your business, and for New Zealand.

    One day. The right people. Your next breakthrough.

    Icehouse Alumni - Earlybird

    $ 449 + GST

    Open to Icehouse Alumni & their team members

    • Limited numbers available.
    BOOK NOW

    General Admission - Earlybird

    $ 499 + GST

    Open to all business people

    • Limited numbers available.
    BOOK NOW

    2026 Speakers: Meet the minds driving New Zealand forward.

    Ignite'26 brings together operators, disruptors, and high-performance coaches who've actually done it. Each speaker has skin in the game and a story worth hearing.

    melisssa clark-reynolds

    Melissa Clark-Reynolds

    Futurist
    david n

    David Niethe

    Mental Performance Coach
    craig p

    Craig Piggott

    Halter
    danny tomsett

    Danny Tomsett

    CEO - Uneeq
    pic and aimee

    Pic Picot & Aimee McCammon

    Pic's Peanut Butter
    puroteam

    Tim Aldridge & Sank Macfarlane

    Puro NZ
    David Downs

    David Downs

    CEO of NZ Story & Chairman of Icehouse
    Olivia Blaylock_Team_Photo_300x450px (1)

    Olivia Blaylock

    CEO of Icehouse & Icehouse Alumni

    DEBATE: What Does the Next Term Mean for Your Business?

    With a general election on the horizon, we're putting the big questions to some of the sharpest economic and political minds in the country — and we're not expecting them to agree. Steven Joyce (former Minister of Finance), Bernard Hickey (New Zealand's most provocative independent economic voice), and Christina Leung (Principal Economist, NZIER) will go head to head on what the next Government's agenda means for business owners — and what the real road to recovery looks like. Moderated by Paddy Gower. The man who doesn't let anyone off the hook. Expect sharp opinions, genuine disagreement, and the clearest picture you'll get of what's coming.

    Bernard Hickey

    Bernard Hickey

    Director of Cahill Accounting & Icehouse Alumni
    chrstina leung

    Christina Leung

    Principal Economist at NZIER
    steven joyce

    Steven Joyce

    Former NZ Finance Minister and Entrepreneur
    patrick gower

    Patrick Gower

    Journalist

    Who Should Attend

    Is Ignite'26 for you?

    If you're leading a New Zealand business and you're serious about growth, yes.

    Ignite'26 is built for:

    • Owners and leaders of NZ SMEs ready to move, not wait
    • C-suite and senior decision-makers driving change inside growing organisations
    • Business development and operations leads in growth-focused companies
    • Anyone who refuses to accept that the current climate is as good as it gets

    We bring together people from different industries and different stages on purpose. The ideas that shift your thinking rarely come from inside your own sector.

    What You'll Gain

    Hear directly from founders and operators who've navigated the hard yards. Real stories, real decisions, real results. Leave with frameworks that change how you think about your own business.

    A room full of New Zealand's most motivated business owners and leaders. Every conversation is a potential collaboration, referral, or reminder that you're not doing this alone.

    Walk away with practical strategies and renewed clarity on where to focus your energy. Your notebook will be full and your motivation even fuller.

    Ignite'26 is designed for decision-makers. Every session is built to speak directly to the people driving New Zealand's most exciting private businesses — and to send you back to work ready to move.

    Agenda

    To come

     

    FAQs

     Yes — catering is included throughout the day, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. 

     Absolutely. Coffee available throughout the day at the venue. 

     If you run or lead a New Zealand business and you're focused on growth, yes. Ignite'26 is designed for every stage — from emerging businesses to established operators looking for the next level. 

     Yes. The schedule is designed so you can catch every speaker across the full day. 

     Smart casual or business wear — whatever helps you show up at your best. 

     Yes. If you're bringing 8–10 people and would like a reserved table, email us at grow@theicehouse.co.nz.

     ickets can be refunded up to 31 March 2026. Transfers to another attendee are welcome — contact us directly.