Explorer Conference debuts in Christchurch
As 85 secondary school students gathered in Ōtautahi Christchurch (NZ), the message from the stage was clear: get out of your comfort zone.
The Trust’s first Explorer Conference in Christchurch brought together students from ten schools across the region to grow their ‘Explorer Mindset’ as they heard from inspiring speakers and took part in interactive workshops run by the Trust’s alumni.
The day was opened by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and featured a remarkable line-up of Inspiring Explorers, as well as world record solo sailor Lisa Blair, youth development leader William Pike (Inspiring Explorers 2017), and best-selling author Jake Bailey (Inspiring Explorer 2025).
Trust Executive Director Francesca Eathorne said the goal was to help students unlock their ‘Explorer Mindset’ and be inspired to take on new challenges.
“We had an awesome line-up of speakers and workshop leaders. All have explored the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic regions, either on their own or with the Trust. Many have overcome significant challenges, and each is passionate about inspiring the next generation of explorers. As well as hearing these stories firsthand, students took part in workshops exploring the qualities needed to grow confidence and face the unknown, just like Antarctica’s earliest explorers.”
Keynote speaker Lisa Blair, who holds eight world records for her solo sailing achievements, did not begin her explorer journey until the age of 25. Her message to students was simple: “Just do, because the world is changed by doers.” That quote, she said, changed the course of her life. It resonated deeply with students, alumni and guests.
As she spoke about the challenges she has faced, her resilience and innovative approach stood out. During her record-breaking voyage around Antarctica, Lisa collected water samples to measure microplastic levels. Every single sample contained microplastics. She challenged students to consider their own environmental impact and invited them to write a personal message or action for her next record breaking voyage.
Inspiring Explorer William Pike, who lost his right leg in the 2007 Mount Ruapehu eruption and now leads the William Pike Challenge across more than 125 schools in Aotearoa New Zealand, encouraged students to embrace discomfort.
“Life throws challenges at us, often without warning. But every time you step outside your comfort zone, you unlock new confidence and discover you are capable of more than you ever imagined. That is how you grow, that is how you lead, and that is how you build resilience for whatever comes next.”
Master of Ceremonies Jake Bailey, who became New Zealand’s youngest number one best-selling author after being diagnosed with cancer at 18, shared his own lessons on resilience.
“Resilience is not something you are born with. It is a skill you can develop,” he said. “This Conference was about showing students that they have the capacity to learn and build the skills required to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.”
Workshops that encompassed the ‘Explorer Mindset’ were led by recent Inspiring Explorers™ Jenny Sahng, Charlie Thomas, Kelsey Waghorn, Lawrence Rothwell, and Inspiring Explorer alumna and Board Trustee Georgie Archibald.
Students also took part in a walking tour of some Antarctic sites in central Christchurch, highlighting the city’s role as one of only five Antarctic Gateway Cities globally.
“I do believe the ‘Explorer Mindset’ is relevant today. In a world that is consistently changing and full of new challenges, having an ‘Explorer Mindset’ helps people stay curious, open-minded and resilient. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, ask questions, take risks, and keep learning,” said one of the students who attended the Explorer Conference.
