A familiar face and much-loved personality within New Zealand’s tourism industry, Haydn Marriner returns as the charismatic Master of Ceremonies for the BYATA 2026 Conference in Tauranga.

With more than 20 years of experience across some of tourism’s most recognised names, including Kaitiaki Adventures and Contiki, Haydn has built a strong reputation as a passionate advocate for youth tourism, backpacker travel, and adventure operators throughout Aotearoa.

Now the Brand Development Manager at Bay of Plenty Tourism, Haydn brings a unique blend of industry knowledge, marketing expertise, and genuine connection with people — always delivered with his trademark quick wit and infectious energy. Whether he’s energising a room, facilitating thought-provoking conversations, or creating moments of connection, Haydn knows how to bring people together.

We’re thrilled to have Haydn back at the BYATA Conference in Tauranga, helping guide delegates through two inspiring days of kōrero, connection, and celebrating the future of our vibrant tourism sector.;

Brian is a long serving BYATA member. Chairperson from 2014 to 2017, and currently President. His experience spans 30yrs working in RTOs, digital marketing and was GM Marketing and Sales for YHA.

An advocate for youth tourism he is a strong believer in the people behind the success of our tourism industry.

Mary brings over 25 years of tourism experience, having worked across multiple sectors and roles from frontline to senior management. Her background spans domestic and international markets, multiple sectors including youth, education, cruise, business events, international trade, and visitor services. She specialises in project leadership, relationship management, product development, marketing, sales and operations.

Having backpacked her way around the world and worked with many of you in the room over the years she understands the value of the sector and the benefits it can bring to a destination.

Anzac Tasker is a designer, storyteller, and cultural strategist from Aotearoa New Zealand. Grounded in his Māori heritage and upbringing on Waiheke Island, Anzac’s work sits at the intersection of identity, design, and narrative.

He is the founder of Guardians, a design practice dedicated to shaping brands and experiences that honour culture, place, and people.

Anzac has led projects spanning national tourism, energy, education, and cultural institutions. His approach blends deep cultural insight with contemporary design practice, helping organisations express their values with authenticity and vision.

Anzac is particularly passionate about weaving Te Ao Māori perspectives into brand systems, architecture, and storytelling, ensuring that design does more than look good, but carries meaning, legacy, and responsibility.

Rebecca Ingram leads Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the organisation that represents New Zealand's tourism sector - 1,200 businesses, every corner of the country, every part of the visitor journey.

Her job is to make sure tourism gets the policy settings, investment, and long-term thinking it deserves as one of New Zealand's most significant export industries.

She came to TIA after seven years at Tourism New Zealand on the Executive team. Before that, she held senior leadership roles at Spark and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. She believes tourism is one of New Zealand's greatest strategic assets.

As one of the most capped All Blacks ever (79 tests, 105 games) Ian is a rugby legend who brings a passion to everything he does.

Connection, trust and a drive to succeed is the foundation that makes the man. At 6'6", long and lanky, the ‘Kamokid’ as he is known, overcome his perceived lack of bulk to become one of New Zealand’s greatest ever rugby locks.

Between his debut in 1989 and retirement from test rugby in 1999 Ian had played 105 games, including 79 test matches for the All Blacks, second only to Sean Fitzpatrick with 92 in the era he played.

Ian is a product of Northland and will forever be known by the nickname “Kamo” after the Whangarei suburb in which he grew up – and in a street that included Olympian Blyth Tait and Black Cap Bryan Young.

His first test cap for the All Blacks was at Dunedin’s Carisbrook against Scotland in 1990, where he scored a try on debut after making his debut for the All Blacks on the 1989 end of year tour. From 1990 through to 1999, Ian was an automatic selection for the All Blacks. He and Robin Brooke formed one of the most enduring locking partnerships in international rugby. They were the ideal combination, with one commanding the front of the line out and the other the middle. While Robin was a hardnosed grinder, Ian had the ball skills in the open.

In the Super 12 Ian made 38 appearances, often as captain, for the Chiefs between 1996 and 1999. Ian had a four year stint of English rugby rugby with Gloucester and WASPS before returning to Auckland to work as a presenter/commentator for Sky TV and an ambassador for Philips New Zealand.

Ian is now the GM of The All Blacks Experience and an AIA Vitality Ambassador. He is passionate about men’s mental health and the benefits of exercise to one’s overall health. When he is not talking about his passions and the lessons, he has learned he is doing them, regularly competing in endurance events or organising major missions to help fundraiser for causes close to his heart.

In the New Year Honours 2010, Ian was appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby. Since winding up his playing carrier Ian has covered many roles in the media and his philanthropic work including starting a community food kitchen with his family, called Eddies Meals, an extreme ocean swim and a length of the North Island triathlon to name a few.

Family, community, and fitness are at the heart of everything he does.

Kyle Kydd grew up in the beautiful Coromandel region, near the iconic Hot Water Beach. His career has taken him across a diverse range of industries, from commercial diving in Papua New Guinea to commercial forestry throughout New Zealand and South East Asia, providing opportunities to work in some of the world’s most remote and remarkable locations.

With more than 20 years of experience in the Rotorua tourism industry, both as an owner-operator and within the regional tourism organisation (RTO) sector, Kyle has developed a deep appreciation for showcasing the region and building meaningful international partnerships.

Passionate about destination storytelling, Kyle enjoys sharing his knowledge of Rotorua and the North Island’s unique culture, landscapes, and experiences, helping visitors connect with Aotearoa New Zealand in an authentic and memorable way. He is particularly passionate about developing opportunities in Eastern markets and, in his own words, loves “marketing on the East Side!”

Sam joined AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand's content creator program in its early days, beginning her journey as a creator before growing into her current role as Digital Specialist.

With over three years in operations and currently training as a Jump Master, she's experienced the Bungy world from nearly every angle — on the ground, the edge, behind the camera, and in the digital space.

In her presentation From Crew to Creators, Sam shares the story of how AJ Hackett Bungy NZ has built one of New Zealand tourism's most exciting content creator programs — what it looks like in practice, how it's evolved, and why empowering your own team to tell your story makes all the difference.

Charlene Gong is an Engagement Partner at Immigration New Zealand. Within the Specialist Engagement Team, she works closely with immigration professionals and tourism sector stakeholders to support effective engagement on immigration settings and processes.

She has worked at INZ for several years, previously focusing on the Investor Programme.

Lauren Burton is an Engagement Partner at Immigration New Zealand. Within the Specialist Engagement Team, she is responsible for engaging with key stakeholders and users of INZ systems.

Since joining INZ in 2013, Lauren has held a range of leadership, technical, and engagement roles.

Samantha Howarth is Chief Revenue Officer at Angus & Associates, leading growth for their suite of insight solutions and programmes.

In this session, Samantha will facilitate their Blind Spot Game, helping identify gaps in understanding of customers, teams, and stakeholders.

Cristine Angus is the Founder and Chief Executive of Angus & Associates, a specialist research and strategy firm supporting evidence-based decision making across tourism and recreation sectors. With more than 30 years’ experience, she has advised organisations and government agencies in New Zealand and internationally.

Her session explores the value of sector-specific data and insights in strengthening planning, investment decisions, and advocacy across the sector. Drawing on their experience with Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand, she will also present a model designed to deliver critical insights for youth sector operators.

Paul is part of the New Zealand and Business Events team for Tourism New Zealand and works at Tourism NZ’s Auckland office and occasionally from home near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.

This team is responsible for industry and product marketing, Business Events, the national Qualmark accreditation programme and VIN Inc, which operates the isite Visitor Information Network.

Paul is the Executive Manager for the isite Network, that has almost 50 locations across New Zealand but also undertakes additional project work for Tourism NZ.

Paul was previously Chief Executive of the Inbound Tour Operators Council (nowknown as the Tourism Export Council)  and the Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand and has also led Regional Tourism Organisations in Marlborough and Lake Taupo.

Before that he worked with Tourism NZ’s predecessor organisation in marketing, regional development, IT and sales roles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and various New Zealand locations including a stint in Parliament as a Ministerial advisor.

Ben Boyce is a New Zealand radio and television personality, best known for co-hosting Jono and Ben.

Together with his daughter Sienna, they host the podcast When I Grow Up and create highly engaging social media content that has reached millions globally.

Their content blends humour, authenticity, and family dynamics, resonating across generations.

Tim Alpe is the Managing Director of LyLo, a fast‑growing lifestyle budget accommodation brand within the EVT Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

LyLo delivers an innovative social travel experience through design‑led pod and private room accommodation, blending community spaces with affordability and comfort for modern travellers.

Since its launch in 2022, the brand has established successful properties in Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch (New Zealand) and Brisbane (Australia), with additional sites planned in Gold Coast, Fremantle and beyond.

Under Tim’s leadership, LyLo has redefined the budget hospitality segment by focusing on vibrant communal environments, flexible sleeping formats and a strong sense of community that appeals to a diverse mix of travellers including young adventurers, digital nomads, sports groups and families. His strategic vision has guided the brand’s expansion across Australasia and positioned LyLo for continued growth in key urban and lifestyle markets.

Before leading LyLo, Tim co‑founded JUCY, a diversified travel company known for its campervan rental business and innovative approach to value travel. His experience in hospitality and travel underscores a passion for creating accessible, memorable experiences that resonate with today’s global traveller.

Lynda Keene is the Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand. The Tourism Export Council is the leading voice on international tourism and trends and advocates and represents the interests for NZ inbound tour operators and tourism suppliers.   

Lynda has extensive experience in tourism across a range of sectors including the inbound sector, RTOs and marketing, event management and consulting work for the World Tourism Organisation in the Cook Islands the South Asian Tourism Council and in New Zealand.

Andrew is an employment law barrister. He has over 34 years’ experience and is recognised as one of New Zealand's top employment, ACC and health & safety law practitioners.

Andrew is currently on the New Zealand Law Society Health and Disability Committee, having previously been on the New Zealand Law Society Employment Law Committee (for six years), where he assists in providing guidance on proposed legislation.

He is recognised in international legal directories; Legal 500, Chambers and Partners, Doyles and Best Lawyer. He has also provided employment law advice to government entities under the All of Government procurement panel. He is often called upon to provide commentary on radio and speak at conferences.

Andrew is an experienced litigator, and he has appeared in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and ordinary Courts, including the Court of Appeal and advising on a Supreme Court appeal. Andrew also regularly participates in private and MBIE mediations.

Ms Celia Wade-Brown is the Green Party's Tourism and Hospitality spokesperson and served as Mayor of Wellington from 2010–2016, after fourteen years as an elected Councillor.

Before politics, she worked internationally as a programmer, teacher and IT analyst. As Mayor, she championed walking access along Wellington's wild South Coast, cycling infrastructure, pedestrian shortcuts, and tourism in wild places like Zealandia and Mākara Mountain Bike Park, while celebrating the city's cultural diversity through new international events.

An adventurer herself, Celia has kayaked Cook Strait and Fiordland, cycled the length of New Zealand via Tour Aotearoa and Sounds2Sounds, and is an Advanced Open Water Diver. In 2017 she walked the entire 3000km Te Araroa Trail, later becoming a Trustee of the Te Araroa Trust and a Board Member of the Outdoor Access Commission.

She champions tourism that provides good regional jobs protects the natural world. The Green Party's vision is that tourism enhances cultural connections and delivers an experience to visitors that protects communities and the natural world.

Ben Lane has worked for Tourism Holdings Limited (thl) for the past 15 years, where he has held a range of commercial and operational leadership roles, including General Manager of Kiwi Experience, working within New Zealand's backpacker and youth travel sector.

He is currently Head of Commercial for thl's North American business, having recently returned home to New Zealand with his family.

Ben is The Opportunity Party candidate for Māngere. Drawing on his experience in New Zealand and international tourism, he believes tourism should help grow New Zealand's prosperity while protecting the natural and cultural heritage that makes Aotearoa unique.