May’s always an exciting month for festivals in New Zealand!
Comedy fans normally enjoy the International Comedy Festival (sadly, cancelled this year), country music fans converge on Paihia for the annual Country Rock Music Festival, and Bluff fires up with the annual Bluff Oyster festival (nom nom); but at the top of the list for us is the annual TechWeek festival, happening across New Zealand next month.
TechWeek started life as a small series of events in the week before the annual Hi-Tech Awards, leading to the first “full” TechWeek in Auckland in 2016. Since 2017, this has been a nationwide extravaganza of tech, celebrated with events in all corners of Aotearoa.
One thing we love about TechWeek is it’s not just for tech folks – in fact, it’s as much about showcasing what’s happening in tech to non-techies as it is for those who work in tech. On that basis alone, it’s worth putting a bit of time in your calendar to check it out.
Our picks
A few of the CIO Studio crew have put together some of their highlights to get you started.
Ray, our humble Founder
Ray, CIO Studio’s founder, loves keeping tabs on new developments in tech, with a special interest in digital health and a healthy dose of cynicism about the latest “next big thing”, whatever it might be.
He’s looking forward to checking out these sessions:
Healthcare AI: What Medics Really Think
16 May, 2:00pm - 3:30pm, Auckland
Artificial Intelligence (AI) enthusiasts believe AI could revolutionise the practice of healthcare – but what do medics think? Join us for a panel discussion with experienced medics and digital health specialists to explore the opportunities and challenges for AI in healthcare.
16 May, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Auckland
You’ve probably heard about NFTs but like many, don’t have any idea what they are or why! In this session, you’ll learn about what NFTs are, how they work, and why there's so much money being poured into this space.
Transforming Where Work Happens: Work Isn’t a Place, It’s a Space
18 May, 3:30pm – 4:00pm, Auckland
Join the Zoom team as they follow a day in the life of a distributed team and discover how Zoom solutions including Zoom Rooms, Zoom Phone, and Workspace Reservation enable collaboration, level the playing field for remote workers, and open up a new world of possibilities for businesses and employees alike.
Danika, our Comms extraordinaire
Danika is our awesome Comms and Marketing lead and has a passionate interest in the impact tech can have on the world, never losing sight of the outcome and purpose when figuring out the road to get there.
She has these as her picks:
GD1 Believe Bigger Open Network Drinks
17 May, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Auckland
Tech can be lonely especially with work at home environment – this is a chance to meet other people that care about furthering NZ’s tech ecosystem globally. This open event is for anyone with global ambitions. Those individuals who support and align with the 'believe bigger' mentality.
After Dark Urban Light Festival
16 - 22 May, from 7:00 PM, Tauranga
The After Dark Urban Light Festival will take over Tauranga’s city centre with an exciting selection of illuminated artworks. The festival will see ordinary buildings and structures across the city transformed into extraordinary visual masterpieces through the use of high-tech projection mapping and other digital technologies.
How to Save Our Oceans through Tech for Supply Chain Transparency
17 May, 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM, Wellington
Do you know if the seafood on your plate is the result of illegal activities or the product of human misery? How can you know for sure? Join us to learn more about how blockchain traceability can empower consumers, through informed purchases, to drive ocean conservation toward a more sustainable future!
Paul, our new Chief
Paul has spent the last decade or so helping build the tech profession in New Zealand, and has a strong interest in skills development and ensuring the transformation that digital tech can bring is available to as many people as possible.
He likes the look of:
Digital Transformation | The Human Imperative
19 May 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, Auckland
In this korero, we will explore how digital transformation solves real problems for actual people. Hear from some of New Zealand’s most future-focused business leaders how digital innovation tools and capabilities have helped their organisations to meet their commercial objectives, whilst also facilitating a human-centred approach to change.
16 May 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Auckland
This is a one-night-only, live podcast style discussion... "Tech You Should Care About" which will make tech news and innovation accessible. Hosted by 2 seasoned tech founders. From AI and machine learning to EVs, crypto, and the ethics of data, you definitely won’t be bored. Warning: You can definitely expect swearing.
Invoicing is changing – Are you ready for the step beyond the PDF?
17 May 10:00 AM, Online
A live online presentation from MBIE to increase your understanding of what eInvoicing is and why it’s not the same as sending a PDF invoice by email. A must-see for any business, small or large. eInvoicing steps beyond the PDF; just like cheques have moved to internet banking, eInvoicing is becoming THE way for invoicing. So, what’s it all about?
Now that you’ve heard our suggestions, what takes your fancy? Check out the full programme and let us know what TechWeek sessions you’ll be checking out in the comments below!
Paul Matthews is the chief executive of CIO Studio. Click here to talk to the team about how we can help your company do digital right.
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