SPEAKERS
Karen O’Leary – Conference MC
A natural performer, Karen made her acting debut in Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s cult-classic feature What We Do in the Shadows. Her head-turning performance as Officer O’Leary led to the comedy spin-off series Wellington Paranormal, a show that is broadcast around the world in over 100 countries, including on HBO Max in the US.
She has enjoyed roles in features Millie Lies Low and SXSW darlings The Breaker Upperers and Nude Tuesday, as well as television’s Educators and two seasons of comedy The Eggplant. Karen developed exceptional communication skills in her two decades as an early childhood educator and uses those skills to great effect as both a presenter and an MC. She is a charismatic, hilarious, and charming presence whose services are highly sought after
Photo Credit: @pikeriverfilm and @madmanfilmsnz
Anna Osborne & Sonya Rockhouse
Anna lives on the West Coast in Ngahere – a small settlement outside of Greymouth. She lost her husband Milton in the Pike River disaster and has been battling for justice for him and for the safety of New Zealanders at work ever since.
Sonya lives in Christchurch. She lost her son Ben in the disaster. Another of her sons, Daniel, escaped the mine and crawled back the length of the drift rescuing the only other survivor of the explosion.
In 2016 Anna and Sonya led the Stand With Pike campaign that eventually gained re-entry into the 2.3km mine drift and reopened the police investigation. This led to the recovery of substantial new evidence and was documented in the 2025 feature film, Pike River.
Together with fellow Pike River family member Rowdy Dubridge, Anna and Sonya worked with the Public Service Commission to co-design the commission’s Model Standard Te Mahi me ngā Mōrehu Working with survivors. This lays out the principles the public service must meet in its interactions with survivors of mass tragedies.
Anna and Sonya were appointed as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2022. They were recognised for their services to the community and occupational health and safety, specifically for their tireless advocacy for truth and justice for the 29 men killed in Pike River.
They are currently engaged in efforts to strengthen health and safety law in Aotearoa New Zealand including a campaign for corporate manslaughter legislation to be enacted. They are also waiting on Crown Prosecutors to assess the evidence recovered by police through the course of the drift recovery. They expect prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of their loved ones and 27 other men nearly 16 years ago.
This event is organised by Conferences & Events Ltd. We are a New Zealand business.