Whanganui Tech

18/10/2026

𝗔𝗥 / 𝗩𝗥 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

How could augmented reality, virtual reality and interactive storytelling change the way you create, teach, design or connect with your community?

Join Michelle Excell, Chief Strategist and CEO of The Antipodean, at HIVE HQ for a practical introduction to immersive technology as part of Festival of Design Aotearoa.

This accessible, experiential workshop will explore how AR and VR can support creative practice, education, place-based storytelling and public engagement. You’ll see examples, discover how these technologies are being used and explore what they could offer your own creative, business, education or community projects.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆. 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. The focus is on making emerging technology tangible and useful, with design, storytelling and people at the centre.

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝟭𝗽𝗺–𝟯𝗽𝗺 𝗛𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗤,
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗶

Bring your curiosity and ideas, and discover where immersive technology could take them.Workshop details


Festival of Design Aotearoa Rach Hoskin Eilish Horrocks (Ashworth) Whanganui & Partners Whanganui Tech Network

18/10/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗶 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱?

Imagine it is 2030 and Whanganui is recognised as one of the world’s most interesting small design cities.

What happened to get us here?
And what could we start doing now to help make that future possible?

Join 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 at HIVE HQ for a hands-on, collaborative workshop as part of Festival of Design Aotearoa.

Together, we’ll work backwards from a possible future for Whanganui and explore what we need to create, change, connect or start doing today. Drawing on the city’s design legacy, creative community and emerging opportunities, this is a chance to share ideas, make connections and consider the practical steps that could help shape what comes next.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿. You just need an interest in what Whanganui could become and the part you might play in helping it get there.

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟵𝗮𝗺
𝗛𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗤, 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗶

Bring your curiosity, your ideas and your perspective on Whanganui’s future.Workshop details

Festival of Design Aotearoa

18/10/2026

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Technology is changing the way we design almost everything, from products and services to education, business and everyday life.What does that mean for creativity, innovation and the opportunities ahead for Whanganui?

Join us at HIVE HQ as part of Festival of Design Aotearoa for an evening of drinks, networking and conversation with four respected leaders in design and technology.Through an interactive panel and Q&A, we’ll explore how design is evolving in an increasingly digital world, and what we can do with the possibilities it creates.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹

𝗧𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 Internationally recognised creative leader and former Global Creative Director of Saatchi amp; Saatchi, known for shaping global brands and championing design-led innovation.

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 Technology consultant and digital strategist helping organisations harness emerging technologies and build practical pathways for innovation and growth.

𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 International design leader and founder of Studio Dojo, advancing transdisciplinary design and helping organisations solve complex challenges through collaboration.

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄 Founder of HIVE HQ, technology entrepreneur and Deputy Mayor of Whanganui, helping shape the region’s growing innovation and technology ecosystem.

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲𝗛𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗤, 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗶 𝟲𝗽𝗺–𝟵𝗽𝗺, including drinks and networking.

Bring your questions, meet new people and join the conversation about where design and technology could take us next.



Michael Law Michelle Excell Rach Hoskin Eilish Horrocks (Ashworth)

07/10/2026

A great bunch of people enjoyed our ‘Tech in Local Industry’ discussion panel yesterday afternoon. Thanks again to our panelists for sharing your insights and special thanks to Hive HQ as venue hosts. A thoroughly enjoyable evening. Keep a look out for our next Tech Talk subject to be announced soon!

02/10/2026

22/09/2026

Join us in our beautiful UNESCO City of Design as we celebrate the Festival of Design Aotearoa this October!

18/05/2026

What a way to open Techweek 2026 Whanganui! 🚀

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this morning’s opening breakfast at Hive HQ. It was a great way to bring people together, reconnect across the local tech ecosystem, and set the tone for the week ahead.

Special thanks to Carl Bates MP for Whanganui Andrew Tripe - Mayor of Whanganui, and everyone who spoke and helped open the week with energy, clarity, and a shared sense of what’s possible for Whanganui.

Techweek is now officially underway — and there is still plenty more to come across the week, including events on energy, AI, Māori innovation, rangatahi pathways, brand strategy, networking, online safety, and the future of Whanganui’s tech sector.

There is still time to register for upcoming events.
Check out the full programme and registration links here:
https://techweekwhanganui.com

05/05/2026

Energy is one of the big regional conversations we need to be having. ⚡

As part of Techweek 2026, Regional Energy Outlook: Insights and Opportunities will bring together local and national perspectives on energy, infrastructure, innovation, investment, and the opportunities ahead for Whanganui and the wider region.

This is not just a technical conversation. Energy connects directly to business growth, sustainability, regional development, and the kinds of future opportunities we can realistically pursue.

If you are involved in business, infrastructure, technology, investment, local government, sustainability, or regional development, this is a conversation worth being in the room for.

Regional Energy Outlook: Insights and Opportunities
📅 Monday 18 May
🕠 5.30pm–8.00pm
📍 Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery

As this is a catered event, registration is essential.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/regional-energy-outlook-insights-and-opportunities

Join us for an evening of discussion on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the energy landscape.

15/04/2026

Something exciting is building in Whanganui. 🚀

Techweek 2026 is coming — and this year’s programme is bringing together technology, innovation, design, community, and future-focused conversations from right across our region.
From Monday 18 May to Friday 22 May, we’ll be hosting a week of events that showcase the people, ideas, and momentum shaping Whanganui’s tech ecosystem.

Two key anchor events to watch:
⚡ Regional Energy Sector Forum — Monday 18 May
🚀 Launch of the Whanganui Tech Sector Proposal — Friday 22 May

Alongside these, the week will feature a mix of AI, community, rangatahi, strategy, and networking events across the programme.

This is more than a calendar of events — it’s a chance to connect, contribute, and be part of where things are heading.

Check out the calendar and save the dates.

09/04/2026

Save the dates: 18-23 May

Techweek 2026 will soon be here!