Grit and resilience keynotes for New Zealand conferences
Paris Norriss has rowed the Pacific and run seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes. His keynote turns that hard-won experience into practical grit for New Zealand teams.
Small country, big ambitions
New Zealand organisations compete on the world stage from the far end of the map. That takes resourcefulness, persistence and teams that keep going when plans change.
Grit, the mix of passion and perseverance behind long-term goals, is exactly that capacity. The Grit Code breaks it into skills teams can train.
Paris earned his grit on the Pacific Ocean, on the ice and on the start line, and he brings it to the stage with real expedition footage.
Conferences and offsites that need to perform
Conferences & kick-offs
National conferences and sales kick-offs in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Agribusiness & tourism
Resilience for teams in agriculture, tourism and export industries facing changing conditions.
Leadership offsites
A shared language for pressure and a practical plan for leading through change.
Schools & universities
The Grit Generation programme for students and young people.
Talks and formats
The Grit Code
Resilience and high performance from the Pacific, the ice and the start line.
The age of AI needs more grit
As AI reshapes work, the skill that never goes out of date is the ability to keep going when the plan breaks.
Grit Deconstruction workshop
A hands-on session for leadership teams and sales groups that maps where your team breaks under pressure and builds a plan to fix it.
Host / MC / panel
A TV presenter to keep conferences on time and audiences switched on.
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
Shows in 123 countries
His adventure TV shows are distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
7 marathons, 7 continents
Ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Rowed the Pacific
In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Main stages
TEDx Amman to 4,000 people in a Roman theatre (October 2025), COP28 (December 2023) and Expo 2020 Dubai (2021).
Past audiences include the UN Tourism General Assembly, COP28 (December 2023), Expo 2020 Dubai (2021), TEDx Amman (October 2025), the US Army, DHL, Nokia and Durlston Partners.
International clients include DHL, Nokia, IHG, Kraft Heinz and Durlston Partners, and Paris has spoken to US Army soldiers in Hawaii.
Speaking in New Zealand, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events across New Zealand, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
The 30–45 minute virtual keynote suits teams spread across both islands.
From the organisers
Paris Norriss is a true adventurer and entrepreneur. He came to speak with our Soldiers in Hawaii to tell them stories on his adventures including his most recent, rowing across the Pacific Ocean to Kauai. His story showed our team what the world has to offer, to be resilient and how important teamwork can be especially in times of hardship.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Paris Norriss in action as a storyteller, motivator and a true catalyst for transformation. Through his powerful awe-inspiring adventures, he doesn’t just recount tales of endurance and grit, he lives them.
I had the pleasure of working with Paris during TEDxAmman, the largest TEDx event in the MENA region, where he joined us as one of our inspiring speakers. From the very start, he showed professionalism, positivity, and contagious enthusiasm that uplifted everyone around him.
Grit for Aotearoa’s conference rooms
New Zealand’s corporate and association calendar centres on Auckland, with events across Wellington, Christchurch and regional centres. Organisers looking for a grit and resilience keynote want a speaker who can hold a practical, understated room and who brings evidence rather than hype.
Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. The Grit Code is built 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. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries.
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. He speaks in New Zealand in person or virtually.
Business, tourism and campus
- Leadership and strategy offsites.
- Primary industries, logistics and operations audiences.
- Tourism and hospitality conferences.
- University and alumni programmes.
Formats: 45–60 minute keynote, virtual version, optional workshop, or hosting as MC.
Cities we cover in New Zealand
See Keynote speaker Auckland. Events elsewhere in New Zealand are available in person or virtually. All locations →
From briefing to stage
Paris briefs on the audience and outcome, delivers with expedition and TV film, and can follow with a workshop. He presents as an adventurer and as CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, so New Zealand business audiences hear both sides of the story.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in New Zealand?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences and leadership offsites in New Zealand, in person or virtually.
Can Paris present live for a New Zealand morning?
Yes. Virtual keynotes are scheduled in your local time zone, with expedition footage and live Q&A.
Does Paris present in English?
Yes. Paris presents in English, and every talk is tailored in a briefing call for your audience.
Is the Pacific row story relevant to New Zealand audiences?
Paris rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific in 2023 with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation. It is the backbone of the keynote's lessons on teamwork and endurance.
How far ahead should we book?
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead. Shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is always worth asking.
How long is The Grit Code keynote?
The flagship keynote runs 45 to 60 minutes including Q&A. Paris also delivers 90-minute to half-day workshops and 30 to 45-minute virtual keynotes.
Does Paris speak in New Zealand?
Yes, in person or virtually. Auckland has a dedicated page.
Is a workshop available?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.
Can the keynote be virtual?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available.
Can Paris host as MC?
Yes.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Bring grit to your next event in New Zealand
Tell us the date, the city, the audience and what you want them to walk out with. You will get a straight answer on availability and fit. Prefer to talk first? Book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · Contact