The 2026 Great NZ AI Roadshow
The Great NZ AI Roadshow is for Kiwis striving to work smarter, move faster and grow.
We hosted 8 events across Aotearoa during May & June. Attendees discovered how to shift from ad-hoc AI use, where AI occasionally benefits a few. To a trusted system that enables the whole company to flourish.
By the numbers
The 2026 Roadshow wrap up.
The ethos is simple
Super-practical advice to help your business leverage AI thoughtfully and responsibly.
This year AI New Zealand brings the best local know-how and practical expertise to help businesses and organisations around Aotearoa advance their AI adoption.
Business Owners & Directors.
Your competitors are already using AI to work faster, win more jobs, and protect their margins - this day shows you exactly how to do the same in a practical way. You'll leave with a simple action plan you can start on Monday, built around real examples from businesses that look like yours.
People & Culture Leaders.
AI is already reshaping roles across Aotearoa, and this day gives you the language, frameworks, and confidence to lead that change instead of reacting to it. You'll walk away with ready-to-use resources you can plug straight into your internal training.
Business & Technology Leaders.
You're under pressure to "do something about AI", and this day gives you the clear, evidence-based view you need to decide what's right for your organisation. You'll see what comparable NZ businesses are actually doing, how they're managing risk, and how to evaluate AI investments against real outcomes like revenue, cost, and customer experience.
Business Services Professionals.
You're already experimenting with AI, and this day shows you how to turn those experiments into reliable, professional-grade workflows that save you serious time. You'll see live demos, steal proven workflows from experts and peers, and leave knowing exactly which tools to double down on for your role.
Attendee feedback
Actual attendee feedback from our Auckland event.
Don't just take our word for it, here's what Roadshow attendees submitted in the post event survey.
"From start to finish, the roadshow was highly informative, non-condescending and engaging! It covered all aspects of where to start for smaller/medium businesses with minimal IT support and next to zero current AI usage. A very inspiring day leaving us feeling energised and confident."
"All the speakers were really engaging in their allocated timeslots (which were also a perfect length to get across their topic without becoming tedious)."
"Great mix of speakers, and fast pace was good. Really enjoyed the creative AI segment, where AI was used for some less serious endeavours (that can have seriously good outcomes)."
"Small breakout sessions or workshops where business specific questions can be asked. Happy to pay more for this type of event."
"You needed to explain the jargon. Tokens and Agents. No idea but met someone at the event who explained it to me."
Roadshow Partners
The biggest initiative to boost AI adoption in NZ.
Brought to you with the 2026 Great New Zealand AI Roadshow Partners.
The programme
What you'll learn at the Great NZ AI Roadshow.
The leadership culture for successful AI adoption.
What if the real AI advantage isn't the tools you buy, but the way your leaders ask questions, make decisions, and turn "AI theatre" into how work actually gets done?
Practical advice to prepare data & infrastructure for AI.
If AI is the engine, your data and infrastructure are the fuel lines. Are you really ready to plug AI into your business, or would it just accelerate outdated processes?
How to manage data privacy, risk & compliance.
When AI can see everything, who decides what it should never touch? How sure are you that your current privacy and risk settings aren't quietly undermining trust?
Why a hybrid workforce (AI+Humans) is essential.
When AI agents can run tasks end-to-end, the real advantage isn't replacing people - it's how you redesign work so agents handle the repetition and your humans double down on high-stakes judgement, creativity and relationships.
The workflows you can optimise with AI today.
If you picked just one workflow this quarter, one bottleneck, one metric - what would change if AI prepared the work and your team focused purely on high-value judgement?
Get clarity on the skills and tools your business needs.
Build a plan to get started or accelerate by focusing on the skills & tools that will unlock capability & capacity to deliver value more effectively.
Get your seat
Join the Roadshow Highlights event on July 8th.
11am to 1pm · Online in the AI Academy →
Hamilton.
Claudelands
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Hamilton.
SOLD OUTWellington.
Tākina
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Wellington.
SOLD OUTChristchurch.
Town Hall
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Christchurch.
SOLD OUTAuckland.
Shed 10
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Auckland.
SOLD OUTNelson.
Rutherford Hotel
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Nelson.
CompletedNapier.
Convention Centre
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Napier.
CompletedNew Plymouth.
International Hotel
Thanks to everyone who joined us in New Plymouth.
SOLD OUTTauranga.
The Cargo Shed
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Tauranga.
SOLD OUTThe speakers
Check out who's presenting at Roadshow events.
Speakers will vary at each event.
Justin Flitter
Founder of NewZealand.AI
Since founding AI New Zealand in 2017 Justin has become one of Aotearoa's leading AI for business advisors. In 2018 & 2019 he produced the AI-DAY conferences. In 2024 Justin hosted the AI Roadshow series with AWS. He's spoken at over 200 business and industry conferences and worked with 100's of businesses to advance their AI enablement programs with practical advice & training. Justin represented New Zealand on the Global Partnership for AI and is a Director of Business Mentors New Zealand.
Richard Kenyon
Associate Director of AI at Datacom
Richard leads the AI strategy practice at Datacom, advising clients on AI adoption and governance.
Anchali Anandanayagam
Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin
Anchali leads the HGM's technology, media and IP practice and advises on AI-related development, procurement and commercialisation. She is recognised globally by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Media Law International for her expertise in AI, emerging technologies and data privacy law in New Zealand.
Asa Cox
Founder of Arcanum
Asa Cox is the Founder and CEO of Arcanum AI, a Wellington-based company pioneering accessible AI solutions for SMBs across New Zealand and Australia. Asa presented at the 2024 Roadshow and will facilitate the practical workshop. We're delighted to welcome Asa back on the Roadshow bus.
Sarah Trotman, ONZM
CEO of Business Mentors NZ
As Chief Executive of Business Mentors NZ, Sarah is a driving force behind the integration of AI into BMNZ's business as usual. Sarah will share their journey, from developing an AI Mentoring Assistant and a Digital Mentor to implementation and adoption of those initiatives that are now transforming small business productivity.
BMNZ, a not for profit, has matched an experienced, volunteer business mentor to 85,000+ small business owners.
Raymond Schippers
AI & Security Expert
Raymond Schippers is a cybersecurity executive and AI security strategist with over 15 years of experience building enterprise-wide programs for global organisations. As Lead Technologist for AI & Security at Check Point Software, he partners with government and industry leaders to design secure-by-design strategies for AI adoption and defence. Previously at Canva, he scaled the Detection & Response group, built 24/7 global SOC and CTI teams, and pioneered the company's strategy for detecting and defending against AI-enabled threats.
Larissa Logan
Founder of ALYRT
Larissa Logan is a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner and Fellow Chartered Accountant with 20+ years' experience advising businesses through growth, stress and turnaround. She is the Founder of ALYRT, an AI-powered platform helping SMEs gain real-time visibility over cash, risk and performance, starting with construction, translating complex data into clear actions as the advisor in your pocket.
Andrew Dentice
Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin
Andrew specialises in technology, data and commercial law, advising clients of all sizes on technology transactions, data protection, commercialisation and regulatory issues, especially in fintech, crypto, SaaS and platform business models. He regularly presents on AI matters, advises on AI transactions and regulation, and has led HGM's internal AI policies and deployment.
Edwin Lim
Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin
Ed brings nearly 25 years of experience in the technology, media and telecommunications sector, enabling him to provide comprehensive technology advice to organisations ranging from large enterprises developing major systems to start-ups entering the market.
Simon Martin
Founding Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin
Simon has been immersed in the technology, media and IP sector since 1990, guiding companies through business operations, growth and purpose while securing the rights they need. He regularly advises clients of all sizes on AI-related issues such as licensing AI tools, joint ventures to develop tools and compliance, using his deep sector insight to build deals that meet their specific needs effectively.
Steve Ballantyne
Brand strategist at Brand IQ
Steve Ballantyne is a brand strategist, storyteller, AI expert, and founder of Brand IQ. He helps founders and marketers use AI-powered storytelling to sharpen positioning, create standout content, and scale ideas faster. With 30+ years in marketing, he also teaches AI-powered storytelling at the New Zealand Marketing Association and Australian Marketing Institute.
Ben Gleisner
Founder & CEO at Cogo
Ben Gleisner is an economist, environmentalist, and social entrepreneur. A Victoria University of Wellington graduate, Ben founded Cogo because he believes in the power of people, technology and data to fundamentally change the world for good. Under his leadership, Cogo has grown from a New Zealand startup into a global climate technology company, partnering with major financial institutions across four continents to drive measurable climate impact at scale.
Sang Yun Byun
Cybersecurity at Check Point
Sales Engineer at Check Point, specializing in cybersecurity and the evolving threat landscape. His work focuses on helping organisations defend against modern attacks, including emerging risks driven by AI, while exploring practical approaches to securing AI systems themselves.
Eva Hartshorn-Sanders
Director of Hartsheba
Eva Hartshorn-Sanders is a global specialist in online safety and technology policy, and the director of Hartsheba. She has worked for more than 20 years in policy, law reform and politics, which includes high profile work with the United Nations, NZ Government, in the UK Parliament, and for national and international clients. Eva's experience includes briefing the White House, members of the US Congress, UK Parliament, and the EU on emerging research and policy on online safety.
Matt Crowther
Co-founder, CentaurAI
Matt co-founded CentaurAI to help New Zealand individuals and businesses turn AI curiosity into measurable performance. Based in Hawke's Bay, CentaurAI builds team capability and governance through its progressive training programmes and is a trusted source of guidance for businesses navigating AI, across primary industries, professional services and trades.
With 30+ years of operations leadership and governance experience across construction, manufacturing and primary industries, Matt brings a practical and research backed lens to AI adoption.
Kieran Lee
Founder of N16 Consulting
Kieran Lee is the founder of N16 Consulting, a Taranaki-based advisory firm helping New Zealand SMEs adopt AI and automation in ways that make a genuine operational difference. With 20+ years of experience in operational improvement across global and NZ businesses, and credentials in Lean Six Sigma and Human-Centred Service Design, Kieran takes a business-first approach to AI adoption - diagnosing the problem before reaching for the tool.
N16 is an approved provider under the Regional Business Partner Network's (MBIE) AI Advisory Pilot, delivering AI roadmaps and implementation support to SMEs across New Zealand.
Serge van Dam
Speaker · Wellington Roadshow
Serge presents "AI for Boards and Directors" at the Wellington Roadshow event.
Wendy Folau-Kennedy
Founder, Attune · Creator of Pattern Intelligence™
Wendy Folau-Kennedy is a transformation strategist, educator, futurist and creator of Pattern Intelligence™. She helps Boards, CEOs and business owners read the human patterns shaping AI adoption, the patterns that decide whether technology lands or fails. She brings 120,000+ coaching hours across elite sport, Fortune 500 boards, government and high-growth business. Her recent Substack piece Provenance Is Not the Point drew direct responses from Fonterra's Chief AI Officer and from senior commentators in the audit world.
Good to know
Roadshow FAQ.
Answers to common questions. For specifics, please email us hello@newzealand.ai
How do we purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased from this webpage, by clicking the Buy Now button on the event you'd like to attend. Tickets are $249pp plus GST and fees. Partners may promote an Early Bird discount code. There are a limited number of Early Bird tickets for each event. A maximum of three tickets can claim the discount per order.
Will tickets be refunded if the event is canceled?
In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel an event, attendees will receive a full refund, excluding fees. Where possible we will postpone and reschedule events, or at a last resort turn them into an online event.
Can we cancel tickets or give them to another person?
If you cancel your ticket you can ask for a refund up to 15 days before the event. With 14 or fewer days to the event your ticket will not be refunded but you can assign it to another person for no additional charge.
Are the Roadshow events fully catered?
Your ticket includes catering for morning tea, lunch and the networking function. We will do our best to cater for all dietary requirements.
Will Roadshow tickets include NZ AI Academy membership?
Roadshow attendees will get exclusive access to the Roadshow Hub, packed with resources provided by the partners, business leaders and technical experts presenting. By registering for a Roadshow event you will become a NZ AI Academy member but the tickets do not include Premium membership or other Academy benefits.
Will the Roadshow presentations be recorded? Do we need to take notes?
We will be filming several of the roadshow events. But not every one. So yes, take notes, visit the Roadshow Hub for videos and resources.
Will my contact details be shared with Roadshow Partners?
No. Your contact details will not be shared with Roadshow partners unless you opt-in or otherwise grant permission.
Are there posters I can share on social or with our team to promote the event?
Yes. Email justin@newzealand.ai and we will send you what you need to promote the Roadshow events. Ask at the same time if you would like a discount code.
Let's start today
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