Sophie Handford is a Kāpiti Coast activist and councillor, working tirelessly to preserve our collective home. Sophie made waves in New Zealand politics at the age of 18, when she was elected as a councillor for the Kapiti Coast District Council. She resides in the small village of Paekākāriki, just... Read more
Interview with Sophie Handford: Councillor of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand, YOUTHTOPIA Circle of Youth
Takutai Kapiti 2020 Summit - Sophie Handford
Sophie Handford is a Kāpiti Coast activist and councillor, working tirelessly to preserve our collective home.
Sophie made waves in New Zealand politics at the age of 18, when she was elected as a councillor for the Kapiti Coast District Council. She resides in the small village of Paekākāriki, just an hour north of Wellington. This coastal village is immediately susceptible to climate change and Sophie Handford has passionately campaigned to raise awareness for this crisis.
In 2019, Sophie co-ordinated the nationwide School Strike 4 Climate NZ movement, uniting more than 170,000 people across the country in the fight for climate justice. As councillor, she has also increased investment in expanding youth services, adopted the Climate Emergency Action Framework, established a Raumati Community Board, and signed off on Te Tupu Pai – a district growth strategy which puts people and planet at its core. Currently in her second term, she holds the Climate and Youth portfolios on the Kapati Coast District Council and chairs the Strategy, Operations & Finance Committee.
Sophie continues to share her innovative and inspiring ideas around the world through APEC Voices of the Future, Ship for World Youth, and the 19th Annual Environmental Compliance Conference in Wellington this year.
Sophie Handford’s leadership has not only contributed to a more environmentally conscious and socially inclusive Kāpiti Coast but has also inspired young individuals across New Zealand to become actively engaged in local politics. With a bright future ahead, Sophie remains committed to her vision of a thriving and sustainable Kāpiti Coast and continues to be a shining example of effective and compassionate political thought leadership.
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You can book Sophie Handford through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Sophie's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Sophie Handford's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Sophie tailored to your event.
Sophie Handford speaks on Cities & Environment, Climate, Youthtopia. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Sophie to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Sophie Handford for events worldwide, subject to Sophie's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Sophie Handford is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Sophie can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Sophie Handford on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Sophie can offer.
Sophie Handford delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Sophie Handford's areas of expertise include Cities & Environment, Climate, Youthtopia. To get a clear sense of Sophie's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Sophie Handford can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Cities & Environment, Climate, Youthtopia is relevant. Details of Sophie's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Sophie Handford is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Sophie Handford, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Sophie's current availability for your dates.