NZ awaits as exciting NetHui programme takes shape...

The eagerly anticipated NetHui 2014 showpiece continues to come together as more announcements are made about the Auckland event in July.

This year’s major panel will be made up of some of Oceania’s brightest minds discussing the future of the Internet in keeping with this year’s theme of the Next 25 Years of the Internet.

APNIC’s Chief Scientist Geoff Houston will be part of the panel.

Houston’s role as Chief Scientist sees him researching topics associated with Internet infrastructure, IP technologies and address distribution policies. His background is like an international playlist of key Internet organisations.

Mia Garlick from Facebook will also be taking part, who is the Head of Policy for Facebook for Australia and New Zealand.

An alumni of Stanford in the United States, Garlick has been involved in the Internet space for a long time. Prior to working at Facebook, she was at the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

There are others being lined up for the panel, but that’s not the only announcement.

Recent World Entrepreneur of the Year nominee and Xero Founder and Chief Executive Rod Drury will be closing the event with a rousing call to action as New Zealand looks forward to what the Internet will look like in the next 25 years.

InternetNZ Chief Executive Jordan Carter says he’s excited to have the above attending NetHui.

“NetHui is New Zealand’s premier Internet event, but we love giving it a global feel so we can learn and engage with the world’s foremost Internet thinkers,” he says.

“From a New Zealand perspective, Public Address’ Russell Brown will be part of a panel on the convergence of Internet and the future of media. He’ll be joined by experts from Telecom and the NZ Herald.

“We’ll be welcoming back the Parliamentary Internet Forum. Simon O’Connor, Clare Curran, Gareth Hughes and Tracey Martin have all generously agreed to return for another panel. They will be talking on digital rights and will be joined by Judge David Harvey and Neil Jarvis.

“That’s not all we’ll be having. There’s also a panel on privacy, such a hot button topic in this day and age and we’re having sessions on digital currencies, feminism in tech and on troll culture.

“With such a variety of topics and panels we think this NetHui will be our most diverse yet with something for everyone. That’s why we’re encouraging people to register as soon as they can as this event will sell-out.”

To help people attend who may not otherwise be able to, Catalyst and InternetNZ are offering fellowships to help with transportation, accommodation and ticketing.

To register for the event click here