BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260603T050000Z DTEND:20260603T063000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Inspire: Beyond the Jersey - 30 Years of Chiefs\, and Life After the Game DESCRIPTION:This year Chiefs Rugby celebrate 30 years of pride\, passion\, and performance! Join us for a relaxed Inspire event that goes beyond the game.\n\n\n\nHeld in a classic grassroots rugby clubroom setting (Ruakura Rugby Football Club)\, you can expect this event to be more casual and down-to-earth atmosphere than our usual Inspire series.\n\n\n\nHear from a panel of Chiefs alumni as they share the real stories behind the jersey\, from chasing the dream and competing at the top level\, to navigating setbacks\, redefining identity\, and building new careers beyond rugby.\n\n \n\n Mitchell Karpik - former Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker now practicing property law at Neverman Bennett Lawyers.\n\n\n\n Craig West - former Chiefs and Waikato prop now Chief Executive Officer of Tainui Group Holdings.\n\n\n\n Mitchell Graham - former Chiefs and Taranaki prop now Engineer/Managing Director of Worchem Ltd.\n\n\n\n\n\nThis Q&A-style conversation will explore resilience\, leadership\, and what it takes to succeed when the game changes.\n\n \n\nWhether you're a rugby fan\, a business professional\, or simply looking for inspiration\, this is an opportunity to hear honest\, engaging insights from those who have lived it. Come along\, connect with others\, and be inspired by the journeys that continue long after the final whistle.\n\n \n\n'Aftermatch' style nibbles will be provided and a cash bar will be available.\n\n\n\nEvent Sponsor: Vision Complete Earthworks\n\nSpeaker Gifts: Wild River & Co\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSPEAKER BIOS: \n\nMitchell Karpik is a former Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker whose rugby journey reflects both the highs of professional sport and the resilience required when plans change. Raised in Auckland\, Mitch captained King's College 1st XV before progressing through the Blues development system and into provincial rugby with Auckland\, where he played a key role in their run to the 2015 ITM Cup Premiership Final with performances earning him a contract with the Chiefs\, and later joined Bay of Plenty as he continued to build his professional career. Unfortunately\, a series of knee injuries cut Mitch's time in the game short\, a turning point that required a complete shift in direction.\n\n\n\nSince retiring from rugby\, Mitch has transitioned into law and is now based in the Waikato with Neverman Bennett Lawyers\, specialising in property law. He brings the same work ethic\, discipline\, and team-first mindset from rugby into his professional career\, with a strong focus on building genuine relationships and delivering for his clients.\n\n\n\nCraig West is a former Chiefs and Waikato prop whose journey from provincial rugby to executive leadership reflects the power of culture\, connection\, and purpose-driven leadership. Raised in Taumarunui\, Craig came through the New Zealand Colts system before establishing himself as a key member of the Waikato side that won the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup. His performances earned him selection with the Chiefs in 2007\, and he also represented the New Zealand M ori\, an experience that holds deep personal and cultural significance. After retiring from rugby in 2009 due to injury\, Craig transitioned into the infrastructure sector\, joining Downer New Zealand. Over the next two decades\, he rose through the ranks to become New Zealand Country Manager and Executive General Manager of Transport and Infrastructure\, leading thousands of staff and overseeing major projects across the country. Along the way\, he was recognised as the Deloitte Top 200 Young Executive of the Year.\n\n\n\nIn 2025\, Craig was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Tainui Group Holdings\, the commercial arm of Waikato-Tainui\, where he now leads a diverse\, multi-billion-dollar portfolio with a focus on long-term\, intergenerational prosperity. A proud M ori leader (Ng ti Apakura)\, Craig is deeply committed to embedding tikanga M ori into leadership and organisational culture. His ability to connect people\, align purpose\, and lead through change has made him one of New Zealand's most respected leaders across business\, iwi\, and community.\n\n\n\nMitchell Graham is a former Chiefs and Taranaki prop whose journey from professional rugby into business reflects resilience\, adaptability\, and purpose beyond the game. Raised in Putaruru and educated at St Peter's School\, Cambridge\, Mitch combined his rugby ambitions with academics\, going on to complete a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) at the University of Canterbury. While studying\, he represented Canterbury at age-grade level before returning north to begin his provincial career with Taranaki. Mitch quickly established himself as a key figure for the Taranaki Bulls\, playing a central role in their 2014 ITM Cup Premiership-winning side and becoming a consistent presence in the front row. His performances earned him selection with the Chiefs\, where he went on to play multiple Super Rugby seasons\, including establishing himself as the starting loosehead prop in 2016.\n\n\n\nIn 2017\, Mitch suffered a serious leg injury that brought an abrupt halt to his rugby career\, a defining turning point that required him to pivot and reimagine his future. Since retiring from rugby\, Mitch has returned to his engineering roots and is now the Managing Director of Worchem Ltd. Through his business\, he is driving change in the commercial and domestic cleaning industry by promoting healthier\, more efficient and hygienic cleaning systems and practices\, while providing solutions that reduce freight\, storage space and waste.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor enquiries or to cancel your registration email events@waikatochamber.co.nz\n\n\n\nView our terms and conditions. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:
This year Chiefs Rugby celebrate 30 years of pride\, passion\, and performance! \;Join us for a relaxed Inspire event that goes beyond the game.
\n
\nHeld in a classic grassroots rugby clubroom \;setting (Ruakura Rugby Football Club)\, you can expect this event to be more casual and down-to-earth atmosphere than our usual Inspire series.
\n
\nHear from a panel of Chiefs alumni \;as they share the real stories behind the jersey\, from chasing the dream and competing at the top level\, to navigating setbacks\, redefining identity\, and building new careers beyond rugby.
\n \;
\n&bull\; Mitchell Karpik \;- \;former Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker now practicing property law at \;Neverman Bennett Lawyers.
\n
\n&bull\; Craig West - \;former Chiefs and Waikato prop now Chief Executive Officer of Tainui Group Holdings.
\n
\n&bull\; Mitchell Graham - \;former Chiefs and Taranaki prop now Engineer/Managing Director of Worchem Ltd.
\n
\n
\nThis Q&\;A-style conversation will explore resilience\, leadership\, and what it takes to succeed when the game changes.
\n \;
\nWhether you&rsquo\;re a rugby fan\, a business professional\, or simply looking for inspiration\, this is an opportunity to hear honest\, engaging insights from those who have lived it. \;Come along\, connect with others\, and be inspired by the journeys that continue long after the final whistle.
\n\n
 \;
\n\n
'\;Aftermatch'\; style nibbles will be provided and a cash bar will be available.
\n
\nEvent Sponsor: \;Vision Complete Earthworks
\nSpeaker Gifts: \;Wild River &\; Co
\n
\n
\n
\nSPEAKER BIOS: \;
\nMitchell Karpik \;is a former Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker whose rugby journey reflects both the highs of professional sport and the resilience required when plans change. \;Raised in Auckland\, Mitch captained King&rsquo\;s College 1st XV before progressing through the Blues development system and into provincial rugby with Auckland\, where he played a key role in their run to the 2015 ITM Cup Premiership Final with performances earning him a contract with the Chiefs\, and later joined Bay of Plenty as he continued to build his professional career. \;Unfortunately\, a series of knee injuries cut Mitch&rsquo\;s time in the game short\, a turning point that required a complete shift in direction.
\n
\nSince retiring from rugby\, Mitch has transitioned into law and \;is now based in the Waikato with Neverman Bennett Lawyers\, specialising in property law. He brings the same work ethic\, discipline\, and team-first mindset from rugby into his professional career\, with a strong focus on building genuine relationships and delivering for his clients.
\n
\nCraig West \;is a former Chiefs and Waikato prop whose journey from provincial rugby to executive leadership reflects the power of culture\, connection\, and purpose-driven leadership. \;Raised in Taumarunui\, Craig came through the New Zealand Colts system before establishing himself as a key member of the Waikato side that won the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup. His performances earned him selection with the Chiefs in 2007\, and he also represented the New Zealand Mā\;ori\, an experience that holds deep personal and cultural significance. \;After retiring from rugby in 2009 due to injury\, Craig transitioned into the infrastructure sector\, joining Downer New Zealand. Over the next two decades\, he rose through the ranks to become New Zealand Country Manager and Executive General Manager of Transport and Infrastructure\, leading thousands of staff and overseeing major projects across the country. Along the way\, he was recognised as the Deloitte Top 200 Young Executive of the Year.
\n
\nIn 2025\, Craig was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Tainui Group Holdings\, the commercial arm of Waikato-Tainui\, where he now leads a diverse\, multi-billion-dollar portfolio with a focus on long-term\, intergenerational prosperity. \;A proud Mā\;ori leader (Ngā\;ti Apakura)\, Craig is deeply committed to embedding tikanga Mā\;ori into leadership and organisational culture. His ability to connect people\, align purpose\, and lead through change has made him one of New Zealand&rsquo\;s most respected leaders across business\, iwi\, and community.
\n
\nMitchell Graham is a former Chiefs and Taranaki prop whose journey from professional rugby into business reflects resilience\, adaptability\, and purpose beyond the game. \;Raised in Putaruru \;and educated at St Peter&rsquo\;s School\, Cambridge\, Mitch combined his rugby ambitions with academics\, going on to complete a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) at the University of Canterbury. While studying\, he represented Canterbury at age-grade level before returning north to begin his provincial career with Taranaki. \;Mitch quickly established himself as a key figure for the Taranaki Bulls\, playing a central role in their 2014 ITM Cup Premiership-winning side and becoming a consistent presence in the front row. His performances earned him selection with the Chiefs\, where he went on to play multiple Super Rugby seasons\, including establishing himself as the starting loosehead prop in 2016.
\n
\nIn 2017\, Mitch suffered a serious leg injury that brought an abrupt halt to his rugby career\, a defining turning point that required him to pivot and reimagine his future. \;Since retiring from rugby\, Mitch has returned to his engineering roots and is now the Managing Director of Worchem Ltd. Through his business\, he is driving change in the commercial and domestic cleaning industry by promoting healthier\, more efficient and hygienic cleaning systems and practices\, while providing solutions that reduce freight\, storage space and waste.
\n
\n
\n
\nFor enquiries or to cancel your registration email \;events@waikatochamber.co.nz
\n
\nView our \;terms and conditions.
\n LOCATION:Ruakura Rugby Football Club\, 10 Bisley Road\, Ruakura\, Hamilton 3214 UID:e.2751.5220 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260505T113533Z URL:https://business.waikatochamber.co.nz/events/details/inspire-beyond-the-jersey-30-years-of-chiefs-and-life-after-the-game-5220 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR