Keynote Speakers

• Steve Biddulph

  

  A psychologist specialising in families for over twenty five years, Steve Biddulph is today one of the world’s best known parenting authors and a highly sought after speaker.

  Steve brings background in working with high need families, working with Vietnam veterans and emergency services, a specialist practice in the care of rape, trauma and abuse victims, directorship of the Collinsvale Centre training therapists and counsellors, and a consultancy worldwide in making schools more boy-effective. Today he divides his time between campaigning and speaking worldwide to parents, and involvement in social justice and environmental issues in his own country Australia.

• Celia Lashlie

  

  Researcher and social commentator Celia Lashlie is the author of the bestselling 'The Journey to Prison: who goes and why'. The first woman prison officer in a male prison, she became manager of Christchurch Women’s Prison in 1997 and has since worked in a number of areas linked to at-risk children. Celia, who has a degree in anthropology and Maori, is the mother of two adult children. She lives in Wellington.

  In her funny, honest, no-nonsense book entitled ‘He’ll be OK – Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men’ Celia Lashlie reveals what goes on inside the world of boys and that it is an entirely different world from that of girls. With clarity and insight she offers parents – especially mothers – practical and reassuring advice on raising their boys to become good, loving, articulate men.

• Michael Thompson

  

  Michael G. Thompson is a psychologist, school consultant, and author or co-author of eight books. A dedicated speaker and traveller, Dr. Thompson has spoken at or consulted to more than 500 schools in the U.S. and abroad. He has appeared on the Today Show, the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC 20/20 and CBS 60 Minutes. He was the co-author, host and narrator of a two-hour PBS documentary entitled "Raising Cain: Focus on Boys" which aired in January of 2006.

• Nigel Latta

  

  Nigel was born in Oamaru on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. He graduated with a Master of Philosophy with First Class Honours in Psychology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.

  He has developed an increasing specialty and passion for working with kids in the ‘too-hard’ basket and has worked with thousands of families over the last sixteen years, consulting with a range of private and public organizations from throughout New Zealand including prisons, the Police and Child Youth and Family Services. He is a sought after trainer and speaker and the author of several books including' Before Your Kids Drive You Crazy, Read This'. Nigel is about to embark on a one-man six part documentary entitled 'The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show'.

• Mark Inglis

  

  Standing on the summit of Mount Everest has always been a boyhood dream, a dream that Mark thought he had lost in 1982 when he had a ‘hiccup’ in his climbing career. When stuck in an ice cave he lost both legs below the knees to frostbite. On May 15th, 2006 that dream came true when he stood on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest, the first double amputee to do so. Recently, he has struck out in new directions, inspiring people to excel through presentations to corporate, school and community groups. Author of ‘No Mean Feat’, ‘Off the Front Foot’, ‘To The Max’ and ‘Legs on Everest’.