NYLD 2026 speakers
More to be announced – check back soon!
Graci Kim– Diplomat turned award-winning, New York Times bestselling author
(Graci is speaking at all 2026 events)
Graci Kim is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Gifted Clans series (The Last Fallen Star, The Last Fallen Moon, The Last Fallen Realm), and her new and upcoming #1 bestselling Slinger series (Dreamslinger, Royalslinger).
Her books are published around the world, have been translated into multiple languages, and have been optioned for film and television. Inspired by Korean mythology and culture, Graci weaves stories that are full of adventure and hope, that are always sprinkled with a healthy dose of magic.
In a previous life, Graci was a New Zealand diplomat, a cooking show host, and once ran a business that turned children’s drawings into cuddly toys. A proud Korean Kiwi, she now lives with her husband and daughter in Auckland, and can always be found at gracikim.com
Riley Elliott – The Shark Man – Marine Scientist, Explorer and Conservation Advocate
(Riley is speaking at all 2026 events)
Riley is a marine scientist, explorer and conservation advocate who has turned fear into fascination. With a PhD in Marine Science from the University of Auckland, Riley has spent over 15 years studying sharks and ocean ecosystems around the world.
From free-diving with some of the world’s most dangerous shark species to working on international conservation campaigns, Riley uses powerful real-life stories to challenge fear, build curiosity, and help young people understand their connection to the natural world.
An experienced educator and presenter, Riley has delivered talks across schools, universities and public forums, including a TEDx talk in Auckland. He is an Executive Producer, Writer and Presenter of 12 Shark Week specials spanning 14 years for the Discovery Channel
Riley’s stories are vivid and engaging, brought to life through powerful photos and video, grounded in real conservation and research achievements, and driven by genuine passion.
Riley is passionate about making science accessible, exciting, and meaningful – proving that knowledge, courage and curiosity can create real change.
William Pike – New Zealand adventurer & innovator
(William is speaking at all 2026 events)
William Pike is a New Zealand adventurer, innovator, and relentless optimist who has turned life’s toughest challenges into platforms for impact. From surviving a volcanic eruption that nearly cost him his life to pioneering a nationwide youth development programme, his story is equal parts gripping, hilarious, and inspiring.
He is the driving force behind the William Pike Challenge, a school programme that has empowered nearly 40,000 young New Zealanders to step outside their comfort zones and unlock their confidence for life. Beyond youth development, William leads PRO ARMOUR®, a prosthetic limb protection device giving amputees greater freedom and confidence across the globe.
William doesn’t just tell stories—he relives them, inviting audiences to experience life on the edge, rethink
what’s possible, and leave inspired to step outside their comfort zones, embrace change, and rise as
leaders in their own world.
Lola Fisher – Youth Advocate & Change Maker
(Lola is speaking at all 2026 events)
Lola (she/her) is a 17-year-old youth engagement advisor based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She is the co-founder of Gen-Z Aotearoa, an organisation that builds long-term support for rangatahi doing change-making work.
When Lola was just 13 years old, she conducted some research which revealed that 83% of headlines about young people were negative. She wanted to change that. So she started Create Happy Media, which grew to become New Zealand’s largest youth-run media platform, giving more than 120 young people the chance to share their stories and ideas.
Lola has worked with more than 50 organisations and has represented rangatahi perspectives across diplomatic and governmental spaces. She speaks and writes about youth leadership, mental health and creating positive change, working globally with groups like Save the Children, Spark New Zealand, and Amnesty International. Her work has been recognised internationally, including being the first New Zealander to receive the Young Courage Award 2025, an award presented in Stockholm by the Swedish Institute.