This is a public webinar. You can register here.
The online world is an integral part of life for most young New Zealanders, but our young people are also exposed to an increasing amount of harmful material and behaviour online. Moderated by journalist Michael Morrah, our panel of advocates will talk about what they are seeing in their research and lived experience and discuss potential solutions for keeping young people safe online.
Speakers
Jo Robertson
Jo is a sex therapist with a Master of Science in Medicine, specialising in sexuality, relationships, and the cultural influences shaping sexual norms. Her dissertation focused on online sexual content and its impacts on adolescents. She has over 15 years’ experience in health, education, and counselling. Jo has worked as a child and youth trauma counsellor and has provided training to professionals, parents, and young people on navigating online sexual experiences. She has delivered a TEDx talk, speaks internationally on intimacy, parenting, and sexual culture, and most recently developed Tricky Chats; an evidence-based parenting course for guiding young people’s sexual health, safety and device use.
Holly Jean Brooker
Holly Jean Brooker is a child online safety advocate, experienced educator, communicator, and PR & media specialist. Holly works with government, industry, and community groups to push for systemic change in online safety regulation and greater accountability from technology platforms. With a background in high school teaching, over 15 years in comms, PR, and parenting education, Holly has developed and delivered educational resources, workshops, and media campaigns to parents, educators, and policymakers. She believes education is most powerful when paired with effective public policy. Currently completing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Auckland, Holly also holds a BA (Soc & Politics) and a GradDip Edu.
Anna Curzon
Anna Curzon was formerly the Global Chief Product Officer at Xero and is now a Board Director and Advisor. Appointed to Kiwibank’s board in 2023, she also chairs Atomic, co-chairs the charity B416, and is a Non-Executive Director at Jade Software and Gallagher. Anna was appointed to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) by Dame Jacinda Ardern in 2021, reappointed by the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon in 2024, and today is Chair of the ABAC Economic Integration Working Group. Having previously spent 18 years in senior roles at ASB, she has been recognised among the Top 100 Women in FinTech and the Top 25 Women Leaders in SaaS. Anna advocates for diversity and accountability within the tech industry and is passionate about supporting kiwi businesses to succeed on the world stage.
Lola Fisher
Lola Fisher (she/her) is the Co-Executive Director of Gen-Z Aotearoa, a national youth-led organisation dedicated to building sustainable systems that support rangatahi. For the last 4 years Lola has been at the forefront of amplifying young people’s stories and advocating for young people to be involved in conversations on digital safety. She draws on first-hand insights from rangatahi across Aotearoa to inform discussions about digital spaces, online harm, and youth-centered solutions. Through her mahi, Lola continues to explore the intersections of media, technology and youth wellbeing, aiming to create online environments that are safer and more equitable for rangatahi.
Aayush Sharma
Aayush is a youth advocate and community organiser from Auckland. He founded Let Me Speak, a nationwide youth-led movement focused on fair representation for young and ethnic voices in decision-making. Through his work, Aayush has engaged with groups like Netsafe, Auckland Council, and Youth Arts NZ to push for more inclusive spaces for rangatahi, policy conversations and safer online spaces. He’s currently a head prefect at his school, Youth Law Club’s President, and debater, passionate about creating spaces where young people feel genuinely heard.
Michael Morrah
Michael Morrah was named News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards – the latest in a series of accolades he’s been awarded in his 20-year career as a journalist. Morrah specialises in video storytelling and joined the NZ Herald just over a year ago as a senior investigative reporter. Prior to joining the Herald, he worked as an investigative reporter and occasional news anchor at TV3’s Newshub. The 43-year-old has filed stories from all over the world, including twice reporting on the war and famine in South Sudan and delivering video reports from the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. He’s also worked extensively in the Pacific Islands and was TV3’s pacific correspondent for more than a decade. He’s twice been named Reporter of The Year at the NZ Television Awards for his work covering the Samoa measles crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
