The Guest Speaker

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Hannah Rogers, an emerging environmental scientist and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato whose research explores epiphytes, ecology, and the future of environmental restoration.
Hannah’s connection to the natural world began early, shaped by parents who encouraged curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a deep respect for the environment. But her pathway was not perfectly linear. After beginning university in health science at Otago, Hannah quickly realised something did not feel right and eventually found her way back to ecology and environmental science.
Now, through her PhD research, Hannah studies epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants for support - and explores what these often-overlooked species can teach us about restoration, resilience, and the future of our cities.
This conversation is for students who love science, nature, fieldwork, research, or simply asking “why?” It is also a reminder that careers are not always obvious from the start, and sometimes the things we are most drawn to are already quietly around us.

In this episode, we sit down with Darrell Bird, owner of Dive Zone Whitianga, to explore how diving can become far more than a hobby — it can become a pathway into confidence, travel, education, leadership, tourism, marine science, commercial work, and global career opportunities.
Darrell’s own journey did not follow a traditional route. After leaving school, training as a draughtsman, and realising office life was not for him, travel and the ocean helped him discover a career that aligned with the kind of life he wanted to build.
Today, through Dive Zone Whitianga, Darrell works with students, schools, adults, and aspiring dive professionals, helping them gain internationally recognised qualifications and real-world skills. From open water diving through to professional instructor pathways, this conversation explores the power of outdoor education, the confidence that comes from responsibility, and why some careers are best understood by doing.

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Gemma Thornton, a community rehabilitation coach at Body in Motion in the Bay of Plenty.
Gemma’s pathway began with a love of dance, movement, and people. After high school, she studied Sport and Human Performance at Wintec, initially imagining a future as a PE or dance teacher. But as her studies unfolded, and as her own health journey with ulcerative colitis and endometriosis shaped the way she understood the body, recovery, and resilience, Gemma found herself drawn toward rehabilitation, wellbeing, Pilates, and hands-on community health work.
Today, Gemma supports ACC clients through programmes like Training for Independence, falls prevention, and Activity with Arthritis, helping people rebuild strength, confidence, independence, and quality of life. Her story is a reminder that if you love health, movement, sport, or helping others, there are so many meaningful career pathways beyond the obvious ones.
This kōrero is especially helpful for anyone who learns best by doing, is unsure whether traditional university is the right fit, or is navigating health challenges while trying to figure out what comes next.

Haylee Palmer didn’t follow a perfectly mapped-out path - and that’s exactly what makes her story so relevant.
Growing up in Tauranga, Haylee leaned into a philosophy of simply enjoying school, trying everything, and staying open to where life might lead. From sport to arts to leadership opportunities, she explored broadly without pressure to specialize early - a mindset that would later shape her career.
After finishing school, Haylee moved to Hamilton to study a Bachelor of Communications at the University of Waikato, majoring in public relations with a minor in project management. While studying, she gained hands-on experience through promotions work with NZME - an opportunity that came from a simple connection through a past job.
That combination of study, experience, and relationships ultimately led her to her current role at MediaWorks, where she works as a Promotions and Integration Coordinator in Tauranga.
In this episode, Haylee takes us behind the scenes of the media industry - sharing what it actually looks like to build campaigns across radio, digital, and live events. From developing creative strategies for clients to executing activations in the community, her role sits at the intersection of creativity, communication, and connection.
She also speaks honestly about the uncertainty after graduation, navigating a year without a full-time role, and the importance of staying proactive and open to opportunity.
Her biggest lessons?
You don’t need a perfect plan.
Your degree doesn’t define your path - your actions do.
And relationships are often the bridge between where you are and where you want to go.
For anyone interested in media, marketing, communications - or simply figuring out their next step - Haylee’s story is a reminder that momentum comes from saying yes, staying curious, and trusting the process.

Catriona McPherson grew up in Cambridge, surrounded by stories, art, and a curiosity about the world - but like many students drawn to the humanities, she wasn’t sure exactly where that path could lead.
In this episode, Catriona shares how she turned a love of art history into a meaningful career at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - one of New Zealand’s most iconic cultural institutions.
She takes us through her journey from studying art history at Victoria University of Wellington to starting on the museum floor as a host, and gradually working her way into the highly specialised world of copyright, licensing, and cultural stewardship across the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums).
Today, as a Rights Manager at Te Papa, Catriona works behind the scenes to manage how artworks, images, and cultural materials are used - from exhibitions and digital platforms to education resources - helping balance access, storytelling, and respect for creators and communities.
This episode is for anyone interested in history, culture, storytelling, or careers that sit outside the “obvious” path - and for those wanting to turn curiosity into meaningful work.

© Te Papa