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Tech Events

From the tech alleys of Auckland to the bustling streets of Wellington, TechStep is Aotearoa’s premier guide to the dynamic landscape of tech events and innovations.  Whether you’re an enthusiast looking to dive deep into the world of technology or interested in discovering what a tech career looks like, these events are here to help you connect and grow.  We proudly support and showcase tech events all across the Land of the Long White Cloud. Jump in, be curious, and become part of New Zealand’s vibrant tech world.   Make your next step tech!

Upcoming Events

KIWIBOTS VEX IQ Robotics NZ Nationals

Date: 8-10 December 2023  

Venue: Palmerston North Convention Centre, Papaioea, Manawatū

TechStep Kāpiti

Date: 2 February 2024  

Venue: Māoriland Hub, 68 Main Street, Ōtaki

KIWIBOTS VEX IQ Robotics NZ Nationals

Date: 8-10 December 2023
Venue: Palmerston North Convention Centre, Papaioea, Manawatū

The VEX IQ Challenge National Championship is an annual event, this year hosted at the Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre.

VEX Robotics Competitions are participated by over 20,000 teams in more than 50 countries worldwide. The junior division of these competitions, VEX IQ, has been running in NZ since 2014, with students from primary, intermediate and junior high school all participating.

It is the largest robotics competitions in NZ and can be considered as the “Olympics of Robotics”. The event is open to the public and free to attend as a spectator. We encourage the public to attend this event to support young Kiwi kids performing at a truly world-class level, as well as witness STEAM happening in a way that may inspire them to participate themselves.

Region: Manawatū-Whanganui

TechStep Kāpiti

Date: 2 February 2024
Venue: Māoriland Hub, 68 Main Street, Ōtaki

A 1-day event featuring local keynote speakers and breakaway workshops. The event will enable the next generation of Kāpiti innovators with resources, tools and wrap-around mentors.

Featuring a wide group of collaborators including Maoriland, Tātai Aho Rau, Work Ready Kāpiti, Kapit Coast District Council, Kapiti College, the Kapiti Chamber of Commerce, and ao Māori artist Liana Stupples to set up ‘Tech Step’ wall art feature which will enable us to gather real time feedback and to capture the voices and perspectives of our target audience.

Region: Te Upoko o te Ika, Wellington

Previous Tech Step Events

TechStep Hutt Valley

Date:  29 November 2023
Venue: Whirinaki Whare Taonga Arts Centre, Upper Hutt

Year 10 rangatahi, teachers and whānau – Come along to this event and be inspired by some of the amazing technology companies across our region.

  • Spend time interacting with the STEM technology and science tools and equipment
  • Talk to the staff of the organisations in attendance about their work and their jobs

Region:Te Upoko o te Ika, Wellington

Kelston Intermediate Career Exploration Day 2023

Date:  23 November 2023
Venue: Kelston Intermediate School, 12B Vanguard Rd, Kelston, Auckland

The ICE Base are rolling out the red carpet for organisations to join them at the Kelston Intermediate Career Exploration Day! This FREE event is your ticket to engage, inspire, and have a blast with the community and rangatahi.

Why Should You Dive In?
• Get seen by a diverse, up-and-coming audience
• Network with industry leaders and innovators
• Showcase your coolest innovations
• Share your wisdom in a fun way
• Boost your brand’s visibility

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Region: Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Hononga STEM (Te Tai Tokerau)

Date:  Monday 13 November 2023 to Friday 17 November 2023
Venues:
TKKM Taumarere in Moerewa (Monday 13 Nov)
TKKM Pukemiro in Kaitaia (Tuesday 14 Nov)
TKKM Te Rangi Āniwaniwa in Awanui (Wednesday 15 Nov)
Taipa Area School in Taipa (Thursday 16 Nov and Friday 17 Nov)

To ensure that all Māori and all Pacific youth, are able to access the Hangarau Matahiko curriculum, LEL in partnership with the Museum of Transportation and Technology (MOTAT) are delivering practical STEM workshops to kura and school, across Te Tai Tokerau. Through these workshops students will be immersed in the world of Robotics, Coding and Simple Machines, learning the practical skill sets required to excite, ignite and inspire them to consider future careers in digitization and technology.

Region:Te Tai Tokerau, Northland

TechStep Ngāwhā

Date: 3 November 2023
Venue: Ngāwhā Innovation & Enterprise Park, 5449A State Highway 12, Kaikohe

TechStep Ngāwhā aims to encourage ākonga from Kura Kaupapa Māori of Te Tai Tokerau to take up the many and varied opportunities available to them in the world of technology.

This is a hands-on workshop-based event is designed to engage and inspire through relevant role models, and by showcasing exciting and exceptional technological innovation happening in our region and Aotearoa.

Tech Step and its key messaging will contribute to our regional future workforce aligning to the roles of tomorrow and future-proofing our tai tamariki.

Region: Te Tai Tokerau, Northland

South Auckland Future Fest

Date: 19 October 2023
Venue: Due Drop Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau

Come explore your vocational pathway, apprenticeship, and career opportunities at the South Auckland Future Fest!

Don’t know what you want to do after high school? Don’t know what you want to study at university? Want a job for the summer?

Come and meet employers, training providers, and tertiary institutions at South Auckland Future Fest!

Hosted by the Manurewa Youth Council and proudly supported by the Manurewa Local Board, Ministry of Social Development’s Connected.govt.nz, Manukau Jobs and Skills Hub, Due Drop Events Centre, and Auckland Business Chamber.

Region: Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Career Development Association of New Zealand International Conference 2023

Date: 11 – 13 October 2023
Venue: Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau

The Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ) is excited to present the CDANZ International Conference, taking place from 11-13 October 2023 at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of inspiration, networking and transformative experiences!

This two-day conference is designed to help forge valuable relationships with industry peers and professionals, fostering a supportive network that will help propel your career to new heights.

The overarching theme of the conference is “Ka mua, ka muri | Walking backwards into the future.”. The conference will explore innovative ways to shape your career and profession, honouring the past while embracing the boundless possibilities of the future.

Region: Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Digital Tech Workshop for Career & Life Advisors

Date: 11 October 2023
Venue: Digital Natives Academy, Hinemoa Street, Rotorua

We are pleased to announce an exciting event happening right here in Rotorua that is not just for robots and cyborgs: The TechStep Digital Event for Influencers & Changemakers – that’s you whānau, parents, school career advisors, teachers, community leaders, youth mentors or anyone who plays a critical role in guiding young on the journey to achieving their highest potential.

Are your rangatahi interested in a career in Digital Technology? Would you like to find out more to support them on their journey and continue to be a change-maker in their lives? If so, then you definitely do not want to miss this event!

*Please Note: There will be another event for the rangatahi to attend later in the month.

Region: Te Moana a Toi, Bay of Plenty

South Auckland STEM Conference and Expo: A Resounding Success!

Coconut Wireless and Tech Step joined forces to host the South Auckland STEM conference and expo, attended by over 2500 people! The expo aimed to inspire and ignite curiosity among our rangatahi, encouraging them to explore their passions and take the next step into the world of tech.

This awesome event brought together industry and the community to showcase the wonders, excitement, and the endless possibilities of tech.

Region: Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Supported Events

Tech Talanoa 2023: Enabling a thriving technology sector for Pasifika

Dive into a transformative dialogue curated by Toi Mai to shape the future of Pasifika in New Zealand’s tech sector. These events aim to harness insights from the Pacific community, directly influencing the Toi Whānui workforce development plan. We’re eager to explore the skills gaps faced by Pasifika in tech, understand the unique values they bring, enhance IT education from a Pacific viewpoint, and strategise for a more inclusive tech environment.

If you’re of Pacific descent in tech, part of a Pacific Community HUB or NGO, a tech hiring manager, or a recruiter focusing on Pasifika talent, your perspective is invaluable.

Join Tech Talona 2023 and be an integral voice in the tech movement. 

Region: Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland / Te Upoko o te Ika, Wellington