Grit keynotes for Auckland, City of Sails
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, has hosted the America’s Cup. Paris, who rowed 4,800 km of the Pacific, brings The Grit Code to its events.
An ocean city
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, known as the City of Sails, and has hosted the America’s Cup.
In 2023 Paris rowed 4,800 km of the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
He also ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Who Paris speaks to in Auckland
Marine and sailing
A story of the Pacific.
Conferences
Main-stage keynotes.
Tourism
Talks for the visitor economy.
Universities
Talks for students.
Where Auckland meets
Auckland’s city-centre and waterfront venues host conferences and events.
- Aotea Centre – in the city centre
- Waterfront venues – around the Viaduct Harbour
Ways to book Paris in Auckland
Choose the flagship Grit Code keynote (45–60 min), a Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day), a 30–45 min virtual keynote, or Paris as host and MC for the day. Compare formats →
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
7 marathons, 7 continents
Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Rowed the Pacific
4,800 km in 2023, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Watch the Pacific row film. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Sydney
Speaking in Auckland, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Auckland, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
See also keynote speaker in New Zealand, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Auckland’s economy and who the talk is for
Auckland has a population of about 1,470,100 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Auckland is the head-office city for organisations such as Air New Zealand (air transport), Fonterra (dairying), Spark New Zealand (mobile phone industry), The Warehouse Group (retail), SKY TV (subscription television) and Mercury Energy (electricity generation).
Aviation, transport and logistics (Air New Zealand). Logistics and transport audiences understand relentless schedules. Paris’s past clients include DHL, and the keynote draws on what it takes to keep going when every hour counts.
Telecoms (Spark New Zealand). Telecoms businesses run networks that can never stop. Paris has spoken for Nokia, and his message on steady, disciplined effort under pressure suits network, sales and customer teams alike.
Retail and consumer goods (The Warehouse Group). Consumer-goods and retail teams face constant targets. The Grit Code gives them practical tools for motivation that lasts beyond the conference day.
How a Grit Code session works
- Each booking begins with a call about the audience and what success looks like after the event.
- The talk turns the 7-marathon challenge and the Pacific row into habits teams can use on Monday morning.
- A virtual version of 30–45 minutes is available for distributed teams.
The content is shaped around Auckland organisations and their goals, so the room hears examples that match its own challenges. Paris presents as an adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.
Credentials at a glance
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Formats, timing and next steps
Most organisers book a 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote with Q&A. Teams that want to go further add the Grit Deconstruction workshop, which runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the talk into habits and commitments the group can use on Monday morning.
A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences. Paris can also host the full day as MC, which keeps the tone consistent from the opening to the close. He is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, so the briefing call covers both the audience’s goals and the practical run-of-show.
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views. The talk draws on the 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and on the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
To book, share the date, venue or virtual platform, audience size and the outcome you want. Paris replies with a short outline tailored to your room, then joins a briefing call before the event.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Auckland?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Auckland, in person or virtually.
Does the talk connect to the ocean?
Yes. The Pacific row is at the heart of the keynote.
Which Auckland industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Auckland it suits aviation, transport and logistics, telecoms and retail and consumer goods audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Auckland?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the keynote’s ideas into team habits and actions.
Can the keynote be delivered online for teams in Auckland?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences, delivered in your local time zone.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
How far in advance should we book?
Most organisers book between four and twelve weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible if the date is free, especially for virtual sessions.
Does Paris travel for in-person events?
Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events worldwide, in person or virtually, and shapes each talk around the local audience.
What does the briefing call cover?
Audience profile, the outcome you want, industry language to use or avoid, AV needs, and whether a workshop or MC role is part of the day.
Bring grit to your next Auckland event
Share your date and audience, or book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact