One of New Zealand’s most iconic athletes will be speaking at Porirua’s BizFest on 1 July, joining the founder of an international dance company who grew up in Cannons Creek.

BizFest 2025: Kōpū i te pae - Light up the Horizon will take place on 1 July, a day that aims to inspire and connect business people in our city. Topics of discussion on the day will include what’s on the economic horizon, how business leaders are navigating uncertain times in the business world, and what are the key ingredients for innovation and success now and into the future.

Dame Valerie Adams is recognised worldwide for her feats in shot put and is a leader and role model in the Pacific community for her work outside athletics.

From 2006 to 2016, Dame Valerie was unbeaten in major championships and won Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. A seven-time Halberg sportswoman of the year, her story is one that inspires - post her shot put career, she works in the community to support a number of causes and with commercial partners, while also being chair of the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission, a World Athletics Council member and on the board of High Performance Sport New Zealand.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says having Dame Valerie speak in Porirua is a coup, bringing value to the event by being able to share her experiences as an athlete at the very highest level, her commitment to her community and health and wellbeing, and her advocacy for athletes, especially among women in sport.

"Someone like Dame Valerie will add immense value to BizFest - she is someone who has demonstrated perseverance, discipline and an amazing work ethic, prioritising health and wellbeing, and commitment to helping others. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about pushing through challenges and building resilience," Mayor Baker says.

Black Grace’s Neil Ieremia, meanwhile, will add a homegrown flavour to BizFest, with his journey one of inspiration and perspiration.

Born in Cannons Creek and of Samoan heritage, Ieremia left home and his banking job at 19 and enrolled in a fulltime dance programme.

Founding dance company Black Grace in 1995, he has enjoyed sell-out performances in the US, Mexico and Canada and won numerous accolades at home and abroad for what Black Grace has achieved across the world.

Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016, Ieremia received the inaugural Moana Creative Enterprise Award at the 2022 Pacific Business Trust Awards and is an honorary member of Dance ICONS, the international organisation of choreographers, along with numerous other honours.

Mayor Baker says Ieremia’s talk at BizFest should not be missed.

"Neil was rightly inducted into our Hall of Fame at Te Rauparaha Arena in 2022 - he is a local who has gone on to impressive heights around the world and will have a beautiful and authentic story to tell about seizing opportunities and taking our stories from Porirua to the global stage."

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