Industry Leaders Breakfast
Tue, 11 Aug
|Lionel's
Sponsored by Cheal, enjoy a thought-provoking breakfast with guest speaker Melissa Vining, whose inspiring story of resilience, advocacy and community leadership has driven meaningful change across New Zealand. Connect with industry and business leaders while gaining fresh perspectives.
Time & Location
11 Aug 2026, 7:00 am – 9:00 am
Lionel's, 14 Northcroft Street, Taupō 3377, New Zealand
About the Event
Get some food-for-thought first thing in the morning, with our guest speaker Melissa Vining (Partner HR & HS, Findex) sharing her insights and challenging attendee thinking.
Melissa is a Southlander known for her dedication to improving cancer treatment in New Zealand. After her husband Blair was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in late 2018, Melissa and Blair realised the significant lack of resources in the public health service in their region.
Motivated by their own experiences, the couple embarked on an arduous campaign to advocate for better cancer treatment. Blair's petition to establish a national cancer agency garnered support from over 140,000 New Zealanders. Additionally, they founded the Southland Charity Hospital Trust, aiming to create a community hospital to provide free colonoscopies and dental care to the people of Otago and Southland denied care by the Southern District Health Board.
Tragically, Blair passed away in October 2019, but…