Speakers
THANK YOU TO OUR SPEAKERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
A huge thank you to all the incredible speakers, moderators, and panellists who shared their insights, experiences, and vision at the 30th Spada Conference. Your expertise and generosity in sharing knowledge made the event inspiring and invaluable for everyone in attendance.
Special thanks to:
-
Frances Valintine CNZM (academyEX) – for guiding us through the future of screen and digital innovation.
-
NZ On Air, NZ Film Commission, and Te Māngai Pāho – for your insights into the evolving landscape of content and funding.
-
Steve Crombie (Totem Global) and Nadia Tolich (TVNZ), moderated by Natalie Apostolou, who explored how content can thrive in a digital-first world.
-
Debra Richards (Netflix), Bronwynn Bakker (Kevin & Co), Kelly Martin (South Pacific Pictures), Thomas Robins (Sky NZ Originals) – for sharing your expertise on partnerships and collaboration.
-
Paul Wiegard (Madman Entertainment), Jas McSweeney (Umbrella Entertainment), Dr David Court (Compton School), moderated by Rosie Hole, for your perspective on audience and financing strategies.
-
Poppy Dowle (Film Finances), Michele McDonald (Screen Australia), Emma Slade (Velvet Moss), moderated by Jennifer Wilton, for insights on building content for global audiences.
-
J.P. Pomare and Paula Browning for a captivating conversation on translating original work to the screen.
-
Paul Wiegard and Dr David Court for sharing the inspiring journey of Madman Entertainment over 30 years.
Your participation helped make this milestone conference truly memorable, and we are grateful for your time, expertise, and support.
To ALL our speakers, commissioners, moderators, and contributors – thank you for helping shape a meaningful and engaging two-day event for the screen sector.
J.P. (Josh) Pomare (Ngā Puhi)
Author
J.P. is an award-winning New Zealand author who lives in Melbourne, Australia. He has published seven critically acclaimed books, including Call Me Evie, Seventeen Years Later, Tell Me Lies, and The Wrong Woman.
Read more
Dr David Court
Founder – Compton School, Australia
Before establishing the Compton School, David was Head of Screen Business at the Australian Film Television & Radio School, where he developed Australia’s first screen business qualification. He has been involved in the financing of more than a dozen film and television productions, including John Weiley’s Antarctica, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom, Dean Cavell’s The Wiggles Movie, and Robert Connolly’s The Bank.
Read more
Steve Crombie
CEO, Totem
Steve is the founding CEO of Totem, a digital media studio pioneering content models that turn brands, media, and creators into global leaders on social - through rapid audience growth and monetization.
Read more
Michele McDonald
POCU Advisor - Screen Australia
Michele has extensive expertise in the Producer Offset and Co-production programs and in her role as POCU Advisor at Screen Australia she works directly with industry to provide a responsive, informed source of advice on how to access and navigate the Producer Offset and Co-production programs.
Read more
Paul Wiegard
Co-Founder & CEO, Madman Entertainment
Under Paul's leadership, Madman Entertainment - one of Australasia’s leading independent film distribution and rights management companies - has released over 35 Oscar®-nominated films, including Parasite, Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest, The Substance, and Searching for Sugar Man.
Read more
Emmett Skilton
Director / Actor
Emmett is an award-winning actor and director whose credits include over 150 episodes of Shortland Street, the critically acclaimed series' Auckward Love and Millennial Jenny, and Crackhead (coming soon to Three).
Read more
Natalie Apostolou
C21 Media Aus/NZ Correspondent
Natalie has been writing from the intersection of screen, technology, and culture for over three decades. Currently operating as the international screen publication C21 Media’s Australia and New Zealand correspondent, Natalie covers content, dealmakers, screen leaders, and emerging players in our creative orbit.
Read more
Jude Callen
Commissioner Documentaries and Premium Factual - TVNZ
Jude Callen has been a Commissioner with TVNZ for the past 23 years. Her current role is Commissioner of Premium Factual and Documentaries.
Read more
Rosie Hole
Commercial and Business Affairs - Hinterland
Rosie has an extensive background in the screen industry, with expertise across commissioning, acquisitions, distribution, funding, and financing in Aotearoa and internationally. As the Commercial & Business Affairs Manager for Hinterland, Rosie delivers bespoke financing solutions to NZ and Australian producers, with a focus on cashflow lending for screen productions.
Read more
Nadia Tolich
Chief News & Content Officer - TVNZ
Nadia is an award-winning news and content leader with 25 years' experience in journalism, production and talent management. She leads TVNZ’s audience strategy across news and entertainment, driving innovation in a digital-first world.
Read more
Jasmin McSweeney MNZM (Kūki ‘Airani)
Senior Manager Acquisitions - Umbrella Entertainment
Jasmin has more than a decade of experience promoting New Zealand films to the world. Working closely with distributors, filmmakers, film festivals and international market partners, her influence can be seen in the successful marketing campaigns and theatrical releases of 13 of the top 20 New Zealand films.
Read more
Tony Holden
Consultant Commissioner - Whakaata Māori
Tony Holden has over 35 years New Zealand media experience as a Commissioner, Producer and Director. He joins the Spada Conference as a Commissioner at Whakaata Māori, specialising in scripted drama & comedy.
Read more
Hope Papali'i
Producer
Hope Papali'i is a passionate and ambitious producer with a strong foundation in scripted film, television, and documentary. Hope has a deep commitment to Indigenous storytelling and representation and brings strong leadership, cultural integrity, logistical clarity, and authenticity to every project she produces.
Read more
Jennifer Wilton
Senior Co-Production Executive - New Zealand Film Commission
Jennifer assesses applications for co-production certification and the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate, with a particular focus on multipartite co-productions. She brings this insight to the 'Crossing Borders, Building Worlds' session at the 30th Spada Conference.
Read more
Maria Barlow (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara)
Kaiurungi Pāpāho (Director of Content and Audience Engagement) - Whakaata Māori
With over 20 years’ experience across content strategy, production, rights, insights, and commercial development, Maria is a seasoned broadcaster dedicated to storytelling that uplifts tereo Māori and culture.
Read more
Tina Mclaren
Senior Commissioner - Sky (THREE and THREENow)
Tina is a senior industry practitioner with over 25 years' experience across scripted and factual content, she currently holds the role of Senior Commissioner for Sky, commissioning scripted content for THREE and THREENow.
Read more
Keisha Castle-Hughes (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Te Ata o Waiohua)
Kaikōmihana Huapāho (Content Commissioner) - Whakaata Māori
An internationally acclaimed actor, writer-producer, and development executive with nearly two decades in film and television, Keisha rose to prominence at 13 with her Academy Award–nominated role in Whale Rider and has since featured in Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and FBI: Most Wanted.
Read more
Kevin Denholm
Film Chaplain & Director
With three decades experience as a director of award-winning commercials and branded content, after witnessing the pressures of life on set Kevin began supporting cast and crew during COVID-19, revealing a deep need for care within the industry. Now armed with a Master’s degree in Chaplaincy and completing a PhD at the University of Otago, he leads the FilmChaplain initiative, offering calm, compassionate support to those working both behind and in front of the camera.
Read more
Ngatapa Black (Tūhoe, Te Whānau a Apanui)
Tumu Pāpāho (Head of Content) – Whakaata Māori
With over 20 years’ experience in television production and broadcasting, award-winning producer Ngatapa Black leads with kaupapa Māori values to amplify te reo Māori and Indigenous storytelling. Her work has supported major cultural events and empowered Māori creatives to shape authentic content for audiences in Aotearoa and beyond.
Read more
Bronwynn Bakker
Executive Producer
Bronwynn has a strong passion for developing young talent and ensuring women have a strong presence in the creative industries. She brings almost two decades of experience in New Zealand television, where she has produced and directed shows including Jono and Ben, Funny Girls, New Zealand Idol, X Factor, and Funny Roots.
Read more
Kelly Lucas
Executive Officer - Screen Guild
Kelly has a passion for Health, Safety, and well-being for all members of the Screen Sector. Through her roles with ScreenSafe and the Screen Industry Guild Kelly is looking at the future of Health, Safety, and well-being in the Screen Sector while supporting all crew.
Read more
James Nokise
Spada Conference MC
The wildly talented multi-hyphenate James Nokise will once again infuse the Spada Conference with his comedic wit and charm, as well as wrangle this year's South Pacific Pictures' BIG PITCH finalists, and bring a touch of charisma to the 27th Annual Spada Screen Industry Awards.
Read more
Summer Wharekawa (Ngāti Tahu, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto)
Head of Commissioning - TVNZ
Summer has extensive TV experience in Aotearoa NZ. Starting as a producer, director, production manager, and researcher for several independent production companies (including her own).
Read more
Thomas Robins
Head Of Sky Originals, Senior Commissioner Scripted - Sky NZ
Before joining Sky New Zealand Originals as Head of Scripted, Thomas had a 25-year career as an actor, director, writer, and producer.
Read more
Nick Ward
Senior Commissioner Non-Scripted - Sky NZ
Nick is a network executive, executive producer, series producer, and development executive with over 20 years of experience in the content industry. Before joining Sky, Nick held roles as Head of Development at Great Southern and Executive Producer at TVNZ Studios.
Read more
Tim Burnell
Commissioning Team Leader - RNZ
With a background in production and customer service across film, web, television, and radio, Tim leads RNZ’s Commissioning Team, a strategic department that works alongside external producers to create new, engaging, and innovative public service programming. The team focuses on reaching emerging and transformational audiences, in particular rangatahi, Māori, Pasifika, and Pan-Asian New Zealanders.
Read more
Aaron Dolbel
Commissioner, Factual & Entertainment - TVNZ
Aaron has over 25 years of experience working as an editor and producer across various genres in the television industry.
Read more
Jana Te Nahu Owen (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Āti Awa)
Commissioner Māori - RNZ
Jana's career spans audio engineer, music critic, producer, and commissioner.
Read more
Rob Brown
Senior Producer and Commissioner - Three
With extensive experience across comedy, factual, and live broadcast television, Rob's credits include fifteen years of producing the 7 Days comedy panel show, The Comedy Gala (2022–2025), multiple stand-up comedy specials, and major sports productions such as the 37th America’s Cup Broadcast and SailGP.
Read more
Ngawaero Maniapoto (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāi Te Rangi me Ngāti Kahu)
Commissioner for Māori, Pasifika and Tamariki - TVNZ
With over 15 years in the screen sector, Ngawaero is an experienced Production Manager and Line Producer across all genres.
Read more
Emma John
Commissioner for Scripted - TVNZ
Overseeing the network’s slate of high-impact drama and comedy at TVNZ, Emma has developed and delivered some of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed scripted series, including A Remarkable Place to Die, The Gone, Educators, Dead Ahead, and Shortland Street.
Read more
Jessica Todd
Independent Producer - Cable Maiden Productions
Based between Ōtautahi and Tāmaki Makaurau, Jess is an independent producer who has been working across the media industry in Aotearoa and the UK for a decade.
Read more
Perrin Hastings
Co-Director - Rumbletoon
Perrin Hastings (she/they) is an Aotearoa-based director, writer, presenter, animator, and co-creator of The Gender Agenda.
Read more
Sheldene Seth
Communications & Engagement Manager - Able
With over a decade in Aotearoa’s screen industry, Sheldene has worked as a director, producer, and writer across children’s television, factual programming, and digital media.
Read more
Miranda Rivers
Casting Director & Mental Health First Aid Instructor
With over 30 years of experience in the screen industry, Miranda's extensive credits as a Casting Director span award-winning local and international productions. Passionate about improving mental health outcomes in Aotearoa’s screen sector, Miranda has led national discussions and trained industry professionals as certified Mental Health First Aiders.
Read more
Lanita Ririnui (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Tauranga Moana, Tumutevarovaro)
Kaikōmihana Huapāho (Content Commissioner) - Whakaata Māori
Lanita is the founder of Table 1 Creative and executive producer of the past two Aho Shorts seasons. She held key roles at Whakaata Māori, RNZ, and Ngā Aho Whakaari, and co-founded Through The Fire Ltd, producing award-winning projects such as Poi360 and Fan Girl.
Read more