Inspired by his uncle's struggle with speech, a teenage schoolboy develops a tool to help people join conversations

Inspired by his uncle's experiences with cerebral palsy, New Zealand schoolboy Jack Harker has developed Parley, a communication tool designed to help people who struggle to speak participate in real-time conversations. The Year 11 student won the senior category of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow New Zealand 2026. His uncle actively contributed to testing and refining the invention. This marks Harker's second consecutive year of recognition in the competition, following his 2025 win for Sail Race Tracker.