Emerging leader: Louisa Wall

Age: 30

Occupation: Maori Health research manager at the Health Research Council.

Leadership snapshot:

With sporting, academic and professional success, Wall shines in several worlds. Labour has seen that light and picked her as a talent to groom for politics, and her profile playing for New Zealand in netball and rugby might help. But her leadership role will not be defined by her skills running and jumping, but by her confidence, optimism and boundless energy.

What should the Leadership Forum achieve for New Zealand?

It should work towards increasing the base of participation in everything we are doing.

And for you?

All of us have to take some responsibility for the future and a lot of those selected at the forum are going to be measured by our actions afterward. To me it is about beginning a journey and I am looking forward to it.

The most important issue facing New Zealand?

I believe the most important issue is ensuring that everybody in New Zealand - all the different sectors - are focused on the same outcome, which is growing the cake so there is more to go around for everyone.

What would you do?

For me it is all about linking business with talent to provide opportunities. I would go back ... make sure any kid with talent should be able to go to university and money should not be a limiting factor.

What will you be doing in 2020?

Did we mention confidence? Louisa Wall says that if she is not Prime Minister by 2020 she will definitely be a Cabinet minister. But she also does not rule out being a chief executive in a business or public sector concern.

Herald Special Report - February 18, 2003:
Knowledge Wave 2003 - the leadership forum

Herald feature: