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 Waipa Tech Series Meetup #4 -Everyone's talking about Claude. Why?
ChatGPT may have started the AI conversation, but lately another name keeps coming up: Claude.
Developers are building with it. Founders are adopting it. Teams are using it to write, analyse, code and solve problems in ways that are changing how businesses operate.
So what's different about Claude? Is it genuinely better for some tasks, or is it simply the latest AI hype cycle?
Join us for the final Waipā Tech Meetup of 2026 as we unpack the rise of one of the world's fastest-growing AI platforms. Through a candid, facilitated discussion, our panel will explore:
Why Claude has become a favourite among many developers and technical teams
How founders and businesses are using it in the real world
Where it performs better (and worse) than competing AI tools
What opportunities AI creates for startups and growing businesses
The skills and mindsets businesses will need as AI continues to evolve
Find out more about our next event.
Guest speakers to be announced soon.
Enjoy drinks and nibbles while connecting with fellow founders, operators, developers, investors and supporters of the Waikato tech ecosystem.
Join us for our final meetup of the year and find out why everyone's talking about Claude.
Be sure to book your place now and get inspired for 2026!
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!
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.
