Speaking & Public Engagement

When the room needs clarity, calm, or courage—I show up.

I speak to emotionally charged topics—grief, legacy, identity, and systems change—and often share parts of my own story to meet the moment. My TEDx talk moved the St James Theatre to the only standing ovation of the event, not because it was polished, but because it was real.

Whether I’m delivering a keynote, sitting on a panel, or opening a kaupapa, I bring presence, rhythm, and clarity to the mic. This isn’t performance—it’s alignment, timing, and deep listening.

I don’t speak to fill space. I speak to restore it.

What I offer

  • For conferences, campaigns, or kaupapa that need more than a well-written speech—something felt.

    • TED level keynotes grounded in story and strategic insight

    • Themes: relational leadership, project healing and restoration, collective led change.

    • Tailored to audience, kaupapa, and context

    “You brought the room into stillness—and then into movement.” (Audience feedback, St James Theatre)

  • When the tone matters, and you need someone who can speak from lived experience with clarity and care.

    • Panellist or guest speaker

    • Topics across leadership, violence prevention, project management as healing work and story.

    “Irene has that rare ability to speak into hard things without defensiveness or ego. People lean in when she talks.”

  • For events or hui that need to begin with alignment—not just logistics.

    • Openings for values aligned events

    • Purpose-setting that centres the intention and mauri of the space

    • Support in grounding or closing shared moments with integrity

    “You gave language to what many of us were carrying but couldn’t say. That shifted the whole day.”

Who this is for

  • Conference producers and kaupapa organisers

  • Iwi, councils, and sector leads hosting high-stakes spaces

  • Events needing someone to speak into the why, not just the what

  • Leaders seeking story, depth, and real presence—not performance

This isn’t just speaking. It’s space holding, legacy work, and strategy—in real time.

Ready to bring presence to the room?

Most speaking engagements sit between $5,000 – $10,000, depending on the kaupapa, level of preparation, and depth of involvement. Packages are available for keynote seasons or kaupapa series.

I reserve limited space each year for kaupapa-aligned or charitable speaking—especially where the impact is generational, collective, or restorative. These are considered carefully and by invitation or referral.

If you're looking for someone to ground the energy, carry the message, and speak with integrity—let’s talk.