Blabla's Secret Society - Powerful Short Talks / Bookshop

Join us for a night of exclusive access with the secret password to enter and enjoy powerful short talks from experts in their fields, Marine Ecologist Phil Ross and EmpowerME founder Tamara Waugh, get involved in the Blabla Bookswap and indulge in a unique tasting experience featuring the renowned Cardrona Distillery of Central Otago. Plus, get your hands on Burgers By Lex's famous cheeseburgers ( you can purchase these as an additional add-on at checkout), while mingling with like-minded individuals and forging new quality connections.

Powerful short talks by: Dr Phil Ross Last year, a seal made global headlines when it made itself at home in a house in Mt Maunganui, which happened to be owned by the renowned marine ecologist, Phil Ross. With years of experience closely monitoring the impact of the 2011 Rena disaster on Tauranga Moana's marine and coastal area, including hundreds of dives to the wreck, Phil decided to run for public office in 2022. Phil is deeply passionate about restoring and enhancing the ocean's mana, which has been threatened by overfishing and biodiversity loss. Having previously taught at Waikato University, Phil now works at in Fisheries Management and has worked in local and central government. During his talk, Phil will share his unique insights and experiences with the stunning Tauranga Moana, and provide practical advice on what locals can do to help preserve and protect our precious coast. Tamara Waugh Tamara brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the stage. With a background in Human Behaviour, Emotional Intelligence and Behaviour Change and a passion for helping others, she has been the driving force behind the success of EmpowerME, a leading online platform for self-development in New Zealand and slowly being recognised abroad. Through her work, Tamara has helped countless individuals build their self-confidence, navigate conflict, and overcome the self-limiting beliefs that hold them back from achieving their goals. Drawing on her own personal journey of growth and development, Tamara will share practical tips, tools, and strategies to help you get out of your own way and become the best version of yourself. Whether you're looking to overcome fear, improve your communication skills, or simply gain more clarity and direction in your life, this talk is not to be missed. Join us and learn how to take control of your life and become the confident, empowered person you were always meant to be.

Talk and tasting by: Cardrona Distillery Join us for an exclusive tasting experience with Cardrona Distillery, where we will sample their exquisite collection of whisky, gin, and liqueurs. Using pure Alpine water sourced from the heart of Mount Cardrona in New Zealand's Southern Alps and locally foraged seasonal ingredients, Cardrona Distillery has crafted some of the finest spirits on the market, boasting an unparalleled signature taste. Family owned and operated, the distillery spares no expense in sourcing the very best equipment from around the globe to create their handcrafted single malt whisky, gin, vodka, and liqueurs. Don't miss this opportunity to indulge in the smooth and sophisticated flavours of Cardrona Distillery's premium spirits. BLABLA Bookswap It is a mandatory entry requirement of the Secret Society to bring a book to exchange..hehe. This can be any book you want it to be. Just wrap your book so no one can see the cover and write a little blurb about what it is about without giving away the title of the book. Everyone will swap and take a new book home!
Burgers by Lex: If you haven't tried one of Burgers by Lex's famous cheeseburgers, then you haven't lived my friend. If you have tried them, you will know what all the fuss is about. For an additional $20 you can grab a Cheeseburger or Vegan Burger and fries to enjoy during the event. Just add it to your ticket at checkout. ** Over 18s Event Only / Non-Refundable.