Kia ora, and thanks for your interest in the Business South Emerging Leadership Academy. From Monday 5 to Thursday 8 October, twelve students aged 16 to 18 will spend each afternoon at our Dunedin office in conversation with four people who have built genuinely interesting careers: an Olympian, a manufacturing innovator, a technology leader working on AI, and a founder who came home to Dunedin to start a company.

The week finishes on Friday 9 October at the Accelerate South Conference at the Dunedin Centre, alongside hundreds of business leaders from across Otago and Southland. It is free, and food is provided.

This application takes about five minutes. We are not looking for the best grades or an existing leadership title. We are looking for people who are curious and will make the most of the room.

If you are aged 18 - 29, please take the Emerging Leadership Academy Application (Graduate Series) form instead.

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1. Full name

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3. Mobile number

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4. How old will you be on 5 October 2026?

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5. Which best describes you right now?

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6. Where do you study or work? (Please give the name of your university, polytechnic, employer or business. Write 'not applicable' if none.)

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7. What do you study, or what is your role?

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8. Tell us about yourself. Who are you, what are you into, and what are you working towards? (100 words or less)

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9. Why should you be granted a spot in the Academy? (100 words or less)

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10. The Academy runs each afternoon from Monday 5 to Thursday 8 October, followed by the Accelerate South Conference on Friday 9 October. Can you commit to attending all five days?

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11. Do you have any dietary requirements, access needs, or anything else we should know to make sure you can take part fully?

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12. How did you hear about the Emerging Leadership Academy?

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