WAIPĀ TECH MEETUP
Where Waipā’s innovators connect, build, and grow
The 2026 Waipā Tech Series offer a high‑energy line-up of topics and guest speakers. Join us if you're a founder, tech professional, creative, thinker, or just curious about innovation in our business community.
2026 Waipā Tech Series sponsors
A huge shout-out to BNZ Cambridge for hosting us at our next meetup, and of course, our regular sponsors: Waipā District Council, Rocketspark, Soda INC., and Belle PR.
A rising tide lifts all boats
In late 2024 Waipā District Council, Soda Inc and Rocketspark came together to plan a series of tech meetups in 2025.
Our mission for the Waipā Tech Meetup is to bring together the local tech community where we can learn from and help each other as we take on the world from the Waipā District.
Discover insights, build networks, and connect with local experts who are happy to share their knowledge and wisdom.
Missed our last meetup? Here's a recap!
AI in the real world
Our final Waipā Tech Meetup for 2026 explored one of the biggest opportunities facing businesses today, which is how to move beyond basic AI prompting and unlock real value from tools such as Claude, ChatGPT and other rapidly evolving large language models.
Product designer and AI consultant Paul Osborn shared a practical framework for working with AI, encouraging us to move beyond simply asking for answers and instead use AI to challenge assumptions, collaborate on ideas, build deeper context and support real-world execution.
The evening also featured insights from Rocketspark co-founders Richard King and Lee Reichardt, who shared their team's experience integrating AI into software development. Their journey demonstrated how AI can evolve from a coding assistant into a powerful organisational knowledge tool when supported by the right processes, documentation and team-wide learning.
A recurring theme throughout the session was the importance of context, with speakers highlighting how richer information and shared understanding lead to better, more consistent AI outcomes.
Looking beyond AI technology to the people it impacts
Artificial intelligence is changing more than just the way we work. It's reshaping recruitment, leadership, workplace culture and the skills businesses need for the future.
At our previous Waipā Tech Meetup, attendees heard from recruitment specialist Linley Steele and people and culture leader Dannielle Mickleson as they explored AI's growing impact on workplaces and careers.
The discussion covered everything from AI-generated job applications and changing hiring practices through to AI fatigue, workforce design and how businesses can use technology to create more meaningful work, not just greater efficiency.
One key takeaway? AI is no longer simply a technology conversation. It's a people conversation.
Waipa Tech Meetup #3 2026 recap:
Waipā businesses put AI to work
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in day-to-day business, many organisations are discovering that technology alone is only part of the equation.
That was the key message from the latest Waipā Tech Meetup, which brought together local founders, business leaders and professionals to explore the human impact of AI and its implications for recruitment, workplace culture, leadership and career development.
Waipa Tech Meetup #2 2026 recap:
Harness AI to enhance your business
Waipā’s May Tech Series meetup brought local businesses together to explore practical ways to use AI without the overwhelm. Speakers shared real-world insights on moving beyond efficiency gains to create new value, maintaining brand consistency in AI-driven marketing, and transforming product development through faster testing and stronger data context.
The session highlighted both the opportunities and challenges, with a clear message: start small, stay intentional, and build from there.
Series Two Meetup #7 2025 Recap:
Free money? Avenues to Government funding and services for tech startups
This event was more than just a presentation from five government support agency representatives; it was a shared experience, strengthening genuine connections and practical learnings among the Waipā business community.
Five leading experts took the front of the room, each sharing their business elevator pitch in a lively “Dragons’ Den” style session.
Their insights ranged from the importance of targeted market research and refining business fundamentals to understanding export credit guarantees and the latest updates on R&D tax incentives.
Working together to bring you Waipā Tech Meetup
Building Waipā's tech community together
At Waipā Tech Meetup, we create a space for people in tech to connect and grow. Our events focus on collaboration and drawing in locally based experts to share their knowledge.
Whether you're new to tech or advancing your career, the meetups will provide opportunities for development in Waipā's tech scene.
Can't make the event? Sign up to be in the loop.
