JuniorDev Auckland: Accessibility and Gaming – Auckland – 29 May 2019

What

So after far too long we are finally ready for our exciting next installment. Please come and join us for another 2 exciting speakers. Heidi will be taking us through the foundations of UI Accessibility and Rob will be taking us through the journey to making a game engine.

Schedule

5.45 – 6.15: Networking and pizza
6.15 – 6.20: Welcome and intro the sponsors
6.20 – 6.40: Heidi
6.50 – 7.10: Rob
7.10 – 7.30: Q&A
7.30 – 7.45: Networking

About JuniorDev Auckland

Are you a Junior Developer or newbie in the Tech industry? Are you excited to be starting your career and want to celebrate your accomplishments with others? Maybe you sometimes feel anxious about work or question your own abilities? You are not alone!

JuniorDev Community is a home for all things JuniorDev, where we will connect you with not only your peers, but also industry experts, and experienced developers. We’ll have people share their stories, their failures, and there will be plenty of fun times!

We’ll be hosting regular meetups in all sorts of formats: lightning talks, social networking, and technical workshops.

When and Where

Wednesday 29 May 2019
5:45pm – 7:45pm

Rewired: Powered by Xero
Level 2 which is reachable via the lifts at the front entrance
96 St Georges Bay Rd
Auckland

How Much

Free

More

Accessibility and Gaming Meetup event
JuniorDev Auckland Meetup Group

Ctl Alt Delete: Vintage Computers from the National Library Collection – Wellington – 20-25 May 2019

What

Do you remember the supreme usability of the square mouse, the clean beige lines of the Apple Classic II, the Apple Lisa and the Macintosh? Remember the slick sophistication of the clear covetable big bootied iMac and the portable lightweight Powerbook 150, and what about the extreme versatility of the SuperDrive Floppy?

Get your nerd on and revisit some old friends this Techweek19 (20 – 26 May) at the National Library.  Cast your eagle eyes over a rare selection of our vintage computers which are still used to store, transfer and read early ‘born digital’ material.  

We will also be holding two presentations;

Thursday 23 May, 12pm – 12.30pm – For all the Macs I’ve loved before

 Thursday 23 May, 12.30pm – 1pm – Navigating the Complex World of ‘Born Digital’ collecting and preservation

When and Where

Monday 20 May – Saturday 25 May 2019
9am – 5pm ( 9am – 1pm on Saturday)

Te Ahumairangi Foyer
National Library
70 Molesworth St
Thorndon
Wellington

How Much

Free

More

Event on the Techweek 2019 Website

Converging Realities – Wellington – 20 May 2019

What

Converging Realities is a one-day jam-packed event that is focused around celebrating Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technology.

With Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon investing millions, it is no doubt that VR, AR and mixed realities are the future. Yet what does that look like today, and in Wellington? How is the technology be used, and what is it being used for?

Join some of Wellington’s leading innovators and pioneers for a series of lightning talks, as they speak about how mixed reality, VR and AR technology is pushing and enabling them in their own practices. From architecture to education, to game-design and the arts, come explore what the future will look like in the next 20 years.

Also on show at the event will be our public exhibition demo area. Running throughout the day, come try some of the most amazing VR, AR and MR content out there!  Attendees will have a chance to try out the demos either before or after the event. 

When and Where

10am – 9pm (talks 6pm – 9pm)
Monday 20 May 2019

Victoria University School of Architecture and Design
139 Vivian St
Te Aro
Wellingto

How Much

Professional $50
Student $15

More

Converging Realities – Info and booking

Refactor North – Whangarei – 16 May 2019

What

It’s time for our third event in Whangarei. Last year was a sell-out, so you will want to be quick to hear from inspiring women speakers.

Women in the technology industry are intelligent, passionate and knowledgeable. However, as a minority in both the sector and at tech-related events, the uneven ratio can make it difficult or unwelcoming for women.

We want to keep improving the New Zealand tech industry by inspiring women to not only stay in it but get to the top — running teams, in board positions, on the speaker line-ups at conferences, and as visible leaders to inspire an incoming generation of smart women.

We’re delighted to be welcoming Frances Valintine, Cassie McAdams and Tammy Auranen.

Speaker profiles

Frances Valintine (CNZM)
Founder & CEO, The Mind Lab & Tech Futures Lab

Frances was raised on a farm near Hawera, Taranaki and moved to Auckland when she was around 14.  She is a keen adventure traveller and loves heading off the beaten path to venture into unknown places to get some head space.  

Frances has been a passionate educator and technologist for more than 20 years. In 2013 she founded The Mind Lab, to empower students and educators to develop applied digital knowledge and capability. In 2016 Frances launched Tech Futures Lab to support individuals, organisations and government to navigate the impact of technological advancement and cultural change in the workplace.  In the past 5 years her organisations have taught over 150,000 students, 4,000 teachers and worked with 250 New Zealand organisations.  

Frances sits on Callaghan Innovation and Dilworth Trust Board and is a selection advisor for the Edmund Hillary Foundation. She holds a Master of Education Management from the University of Melbourne.

Frances has received many awards for her work. She was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2018 recognising her lifetime of contribution in education and technology and named one of the top 50 EdTech Educators in the World in 2016 by EdTech International.

Cassie McAdams
Invesment Manager, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

Cassie is inspired about fuelling NZ’s start-up ecosystem to compete on a global scale. She believes that all great ideas and founders need support and perspective – and of course adequate funding from the right investors to get there. 

Originally from Whangarei, Cassie has spent her 10-year career predominantly consulting at PwC and Deutsche Bank in Auckland and London. She holds degrees in Law and Science, and recently completed an MBA as an IE Foundation Scholar at IE Business School in Madrid. During that time, Cassie completed IE’s Startup Lab program and interned at Fundie Ventures, developing an interest in entrepreneurship and early-stage venture investment. 

Back on home soil, she now works in the Investment Team at NZTE, and regularly travels to Northland on a mission to help founders to build an investible proposition and raise capital.

Tammy Auranen
Group Manager Digital, Northpower Limited

Tammy was born and raised in a small mining community in Northern Ontario, Canada. About 3 years ago, she had the opportunity to come to NZ for work, and quickly decided to make it her permanent home, based now in Northland. 

Tammy’s career has been in digital, technology and improvement based roles over the course of 18 years and spans many industries. Most recently, she led the IT and systems functions at Far North District Council, City Fitness Group and SunRype Products. She has recently been appointed to lead Northpower’s technology transformation from a mix of legacy systems to a strategic emphasis on digital.

Whilst in Canada she was awarded ‘Women to Watch’ by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. She was selected for this award due to her leadership and influence in the local tech and business community, as well as her participation in local mentorship programs for women in technology – something she is passionate about.

When and Where

Thursday 16th May 2019,
6:00 pm – 8.30 pm

Whangarei Art Museum
The Hub, Dent Street, Town Basin

How Much

$20 for adults and $10 for student.
Ticket prices are reduced this year thanks to Northpower’s commitment to the community.
Grab tickets here.

More

Refactor North: Whangarei May 2019

Refactor’s Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy.

Agile Hamilton: Rapid Learning Cycles – Hamilton – 2 May 2019

What

Learn how Chief Architect, Andrew Scothern at Gallaghers uses rapid learning cycles to tackle high uncertainty software projects.

What are Rapid learning cycles?

A framework to empower innovators to suceed. It is a framework that is proven to accelerate innovation, prevent launch delays and ensure that great ideas are well-executed.

The Rapid Learning Cycles framework is a synthesis of Agile software practices that is tailored for physical products that must be produced at volume.

When and Where

6pm – 8pm
Thursday, 2 May 2019

The Long Room
Wintech
Tristram St
Hamilton

Please enter the Wintec City campus through Gate 1 – as an attendee, you may park for free in the Wintec carpark building. The Long Room is located in Wintec House, just opposite the carpark and next to The Atrium.

How Much

Free

More

Rapid Learning Cycles Event Meetup Page
Agile Hamilton Meetup Group

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back showing with NZSO – Auckland – 5 May 2019

What

Film with live Orchestra
Presented by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert comes to New Zealand in 2019! This classic film will be accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and NZSO Associate Conductor Hamish McKeich, bringing John Williams’ Oscar®-winning score to life. Don’t miss this exciting combination of a cinematic classic performed with live orchestra.

“You must feel the Force around you…”

The battle for the galaxy intensifies in this thrilling fifth episode of the unfolding saga. As Imperial Forces launch an all-out attack on the Rebel Alliance, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) flee to Cloud City where they are captured by Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) journeys to the mysterious, marshy planet of Dagobah, where the wise Jedi Master Yoda teaches the young hero the ways of the Force.

Little does Luke know that all his Jedi training will be called upon so soon. A stunning revelation– and a seeming life-or-death duel with Darth Vader– await.

After the phenomenal success of Star Wars: A New Hope, director Irvin Kershner took over from George Lucas and delivered what many believe is the best of the Star Wars films. John Williams again composed the score, creating a soundtrack that built on the music from Star Wars: A New Hope and expanded it to fit the universe around it.

When and Where

Sunday, 5 May 2019
4pm – ~6:30pm (run time approx 149 minutes)

Spark Arena
Parnell
Aucklan

How Much

$95 each + $8 handling fee

More

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert on the NZSO website
Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster


DockerCon (USA) 2019 Debrief & Download – Auckland – 9 May 2019

What

DockerCon is Docker’s annual conference. This conference is usually when Docker lays out it’s strategy and roadmap and announces new products, services, alliances and solutions.

This year it is being held April 29 – May 2nd. Neil Cresswell, CEO of Portainer & CTO of Emerging Technology Partners will be attending DockerCon.

Neil will give us a download and debrief from DockerCon.

About Docker Auckland Meetup

Learn, Collaborate & Dockerize! Meet other developers and ops engineers in your community that are using and learning about Docker. Docker is an open platform that helps you build, ship and run applications anytime and anywhere. Developers use Docker to modify code and to streamline application development, while operations gain support to quickly and flexibly respond to their changing needs. Docker ensures agility, portability and control for all your distributed apps.

When and Where

Thursday, May 9 2019
6pm – 7:30pm

Event Space
GridAKL / John Lysaght
101 Pakenham St West
Viaduct Basin
Auckland

Please note that the date of our may change due to venue availability, but we’ll update everyone ASAP. Thanks

How Much

Free

More

DockerCon Debrief and Download Meeting
Docker Auckland Meetup Group

Stargazing 101: Sundays – Wellington – 14 April – 12 May 2019

What

Due to popular demand Museums Wellington are running a second Stargazing Workshop on Sunday nights.

New Zealand has some of the absolute best skies for stargazing in the world. This five-week Sunday night course is for people who look up at our skies and wonder which stars are twinkling back at them. No prior knowledge is required – just a desire to know more about the skies and how they are used in everyday life including navigation. The course has limited numbers so bookings are essential. It is suitable for ages 10 and up. Take the opportunity to walk through the gardens or Tournament parking is available at the top of the Cable Car.

When and Where

4pm – 6pm
Sundays, 14 April – 12 MAy 2019

Space Place at Carter Observatory
40 Salamanca Road,
Botanic Gardens
Wellington

How Much

$100 per person for the 5 nights

More

Webpage on the Stargazing 101 course

The gathering of Matariki series of talks – 19 locations Nationwide – 11 April – 25 May 2019

What

In the past two decades Matariki has become a nationwide phenomenon, with numerous events occurring each winter to celebrate the predawn rising of this star cluster. Our modern observation of Matariki is helping to embed this celebration within the consciousness of the general public, and it is becoming part of our wider Aotearoa identity.

Professor Rangi Matamua is Associate Dean Postgraduate at the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato. He is also a leading expert on Maori astronomy, and as the author of the bestselling book, ‘Matariki the Star of the Year’ he travels extensively throughout the country and internationally speaking about Matariki.

Rangi will give a two hour lecture that will include images, video and animations and detailed knowledge about Matariki, sharing his knowledge and highlighting connections between cultural knowledge and science.

When and Where

Blenheim | 11 April, Ūkaipō, Rangitāne Cultural Centre – register for Blenheim

Christchurch | 12 April, Charles Luney Auditorium, St Margaret’s College –  register for Christchurch

Dunedin | 18 April, St David’s Lecture Theatre, University of Otago –  register for Dunedin

Wellington | 23 April, Little Theatre, Lower Hutt –  register for Lower Hutt

Palmerston North | 24 April, Palmerston North Boys High School, Speirs Centre  – register for Palmerston North

Whanganui | 26  April, Whanganui Collegiate School, Prince Edward Auditorium – register for Whanganui

Napier |  27 April, the Ballroom, Napier Conference Centre –  register for Napier

Gisborne |  9 May, The War Memorial  –  register for Gisborne

Taupo |  10 May, Great Lakes Centre Theatre  –  register for Taupo

New Plymouth |  11 May, Devon Hotel (Hobson Room) – register for New Plymouth

Rotorua |  16 May, Millennium Hotel, Makoia Room –  register for Rotorua

Auckland |   17 May, BNZ Theare, Vodafone Events Centre Manuwera – register for Auckland

Hamilton |  23 May, Southwell School (auditorium) – register for Hamilton

Tauranga |  24 May, Baypark Arena – Arena Combined Suites –  register for Tauranga 

Whangarei |  25 May, Raumanga Campus – register for Whangarei

How Much

Free

These events are free to attend and you are welcome to turn up on the day. However, due to their expected popularity, please register to guarantee your seat(s)

More

Overview on Royal Society Webpage

Registration of individual events are above (in the When and Where section) or on the Royal Society website.

GeyserCon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention – Rotorua – 31 May – 3 June 2019

What

GeyserCon 2019 is New Zealand’s 40th National Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention! We hope you’ll join us in Rotorua on Queen’s Birthday weekend (May 31st to June 3rd 2019) for awesome fandom discussions, panels and presentations, a huge bookstore open every day including Monday, a raffle with amazing prizes, the Young Writers’ Workshop, the Costume Masquerade competition, the prestigious Sir Julius Vogel Awards, and so much more!

Young Writers’ Day out – Friday

The Young NZ Writers’ Day Out (on Friday 31st May 2019) will have a full day of writing workshops aimed at intermediate and secondary school students. To warm up to the day we invite young NZ writers to enter into our 2019 annual writing competitions for intermediate and secondary students (opens 1st of February and closes midnight on 15th March – check our website out for more details). Finalists will be awarded prizes at the book launch at the end of the day.
For the first time there will even be a special writing event for our youngest writers in years 5 and 6 (only open to local Rotorua Primary schools) and PD opportunities for teachers who attend.

Main Program

3-5 Streams From Friday evening to Monday Morning.

Sample Events:

  • Radio-play STAR WRECK
  • International Guests: Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Alan Baxter, & Kaaron Warren
  • Sir Julius Vogel Award Presentations
  • Talks: History of SFF in NZ
  • Panel: High Fantasy Futures
  • GeyserCon Book Expo

When and Where

Holiday Inn
10 Tryon St
Whakarewarewa
Rotorua

Main Event
4pm Friday 31 May 2019
Noon Monday 3 June 2019

Young Writers’ Day Out
All Day Friday 31 May 2019

How Much

EarlyBird 3 until 28 February $60
Standard (Friday evening till Monday) $65
Friday Youth Workshop (under 18s) $20

Various other tickets options available.

More

Geysercon Website with Full programme and Registration
Young NZ Writers Website