Steven Pinker To Appear For One Night Only With Free Speech Union

The Free Speech Union is proud to announce it will co-host Steven Pinker for a one-off event in Auckland, 2nd February 2026. Pinker is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, Harvard professor, and one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals. We’re ecstatic to have him contribute to the fight for free speech in New Zealand, says Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union.

“Cognitive scientist and best-selling author known for illuminating the way we think, speak, and understand one another, Pinker brings a wealth of knowledge to our country. Tickets are now released for this rare opportunity.

“Pinker is celebrated for making complex ideas accessible to broad audiences, and his books have been praised by leaders such as Barack Obama and Bill Gates. He was named one of Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ and consistently champions evidence-based thinking and open inquiry in public life.

“Pinker will unpack the ideas behind his latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows, a compelling exploration into the hidden power of common knowledge. From diplomacy to protest movements, social trust to political change, Pinker will reveal how shared understanding shapes the rules of civilisation itself.

“This event is part of a wider tour by Thinkable Events, with three events in Australia. We are immensely proud to continue to contribute world-class commentary to the fight for open discourse and dialogue in New Zealand.”

© Scoop Media