Bruce grew up the son of a commercial cray fisherman and so did many seasons over the years as a deckhand. He graduated from Otago University, School of Physical Education, but discovered the world of the performing arts & spent 8 years as a professional contemporary dancer in Australia & NZ including dancing with the NZ Ballet (pre their ‘Royal’ tag) & Limbs Dance Co. Bruce has been a professional actor for close to 35 years, won a couple of awards, played the title role of MacBeth on stage and almost single handedly won the battle for middle earth as Gamling, commander of the armies of Rohan, in two of the Lord of the Rings film trilogies. He has been an MC for over 20 years, founded the unique Temp HR agency Action Actors, has 3 adult progeny and 3 wicked mokopuna. If you need any more info, as Mae West said, “come & see me sometime”. He’s thrilled to be back for the CETANZ conference as your MC.

Michael was first elected to Parliament at the 2016 Mt Roskill by-election. In opposition he was Labour’s spokesperson for Transport, Revenue, and Consumer Affairs, and after the election he had roles as Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities and Chair of the Finance & Expenditure Select Committee, before coming into the Chief Labour Whip role in mid-2019. Following the 2020 General Election, Michael became a sworn Member of the Executive and was appointed by the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern as the Minister of Transport and Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety. He was also given the role of Deputy Leader of the House. Michael also continues a strong association with New Zealand’s vibrant and growing Ethnic Communities owing to his previous role and the highly diverse nature of the Mt Roskill electorate he represents. Prior to his parliamentary role Michael was an Auckland Council member in his community and has held roles providing advice to Habitat for Humanity and as a senior negotiator for the Finance Sector union Finsec. Michael is driven by the core belief that all people deserve the opportunity to flourish and reach their potential regardless of background, and that this is most likely to occur when we build strong, fair, and supportive communities. He believes that an economy and public institutions that are focused on people’s wellbeing will lead to a society that is both more prosperous and just. Along with his wife Julie and their three young sons, Michael lives in Roskill South where he loves to tramp along the Waikowhai Coast, tends to a very neglected vegetable garden, and dreams of an alternative career as a roving international test cricket commentator.

John has been involved with CETANZ for the past 7 years, first joining the committee as editor, John is now the President of Careers & Events, and Conference Convenor. Throughout his time in the industry, John has worked for Geotechnics in the Sales Division, supplying laboratory and testing equipment. But this has recently changed to a product manager role looking at digital solutions for the industry. In his spare time John enjoys fly fishing, kayak fishing, spearfishing and tramping.

Bruce grew up the son of a commercial cray fisherman and so did many seasons over the years as a deckhand. He graduated from Otago University, School of Physical Education, but discovered the world of the performing arts & spent 8 years as a professional contemporary dancer in Australia & NZ including dancing with the NZ Ballet (pre their ‘Royal’ tag) & Limbs Dance Co. Bruce has been a professional actor for close to 35 years, won a couple of awards, played the title role of MacBeth on stage and almost single handedly won the battle for middle earth as Gamling, commander of the armies of Rohan, in two of the Lord of the Rings film trilogies. He has been an MC for over 20 years, founded the unique Temp HR agency Action Actors, has 3 adult progeny and 3 wicked mokopuna. If you need any more info, as Mae West said, “come & see me sometime”. He’s thrilled to be back for the CETANZ conference as your MC.