Latest news with #Techweek
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Dunedin hand-made rockets shoot off into space
technology 37 minutes ago Weather-willing, 45 hand-made rockets will shoot into the air from a Dunedin park on Sunday. They've been crafted this week at free rocketry workshops as part of Techweek, which has been celebrating technology and innovation across the country. Mike Turner is a rocketry enthusiast and is the man behind the workshops - the literal teacher of rocket science.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
‘It's the Whanganuis of this world that get forgotten about': New AI-assisted service launches for Techweek
One of the collective's directors, Lisa Lightband, said the success of the first phase gave them confidence to launch phase two. 'We have already successfully trialled our service with a number of organisations in Whanganui, and we believe it is time to open it up to others in the region so that they too can benefit,' Lightband said. Another director, Stephen Lee, said it was important for an AI-assisted service to be as simple and easily explained as possible, coupled with the human touch. 'A human with whom you can get in touch, talk to and laugh with. 'The current economic climate is hurting a lot of non-profits. We believe we provide the answer to many struggling with finding the time or expertise to access grant funding, and then managing it in such a way so as to increase their chances of continued funding in the future,' Lee said. Lee and Lightband are part of a five-person board of directors with Tanya Harnett, Sonja Davenport Petersen and Rachel Hoskin. 'Together we bring expertise in grant funding, AI and IT, strategy and local knowledge of our community,' Lee said. The service operates on a success-based fee structure, ensuring that not-for-profits can access support without upfront costs. Lee said it was important for WriteFund Collective to adopt a different approach to services in larger cities to appeal to Whanganui and other rural areas. 'The big centres are well catered for and operate differently; it is often the smaller places like the Whanganuis of this world that get forgotten about,' he said. Writefund Collective is one of two start-ups that emerged from the launch of the AI-Biz Hub at last year's Whanganui Techweek. 'We set up the AI-Biz Hub as an incubator for entrepreneurs and local businesses to learn about AI tools that could help them use AI to help start or improve their business,' Lee said. 'We felt that we needed something that suited smaller places like Whanganui, and we didn't want anyone left behind due to 'AI ignorance' in Whanganui.' Six months later, the AI-Biz Hub created two new businesses and has made a difference to one other. 'One of the biggest impacts of the Hub has actually been the breaking of social isolation that comes from working on your own, and the burst in creativity that comes from working as part of a group that meets on a regular basis.' Lee and Lightband will share more about the AI Biz Hub at noon on May 19 at Techweek. Whanganui Techweek 2025 Techweek 2025's theme is 'tech that's good for the world', focusing on how innovation drives sustainability, exports and the future of work in New Zealand. A wide range of events are happening on May 19-25, such as drop-in sessions, expert panels, flight simulator experience, quiz night and more. Whanganui Tech Network Charitable Trust chairman Alan Nixon encouraged people to get involved. 'Whether you're starting a business, exploring AI or just curious, Techweek25 in Whanganui offers something for everyone. It celebrates the energy and innovation already alive in our region.' All public events are free to attend but registration is encouraged because of limited spaces.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
The business of science
From Māori seafaring innovations to the early years of European settlement, technology has long had a key role in building and sustaining New Zealand's wealth. Investing in science and innovation can equip us with the skills to fuel a high-tech ecosystem that not only strengthens existing firms but also breeds the next generation of technological businesses. Quantum physicist Professor David Hutchinson will speak at a Techweek event next week which will unpack how science can drive commercial growth for advanced manufacturing. Prof Hutchinson was the inaugural director of Te Whai Ao - Dodd-Walls Centre and is the acting science leader for Quantum Technologies Aotearoa. The centre is at the cutting edge of research into advanced technology such as lasers, cold atoms and high-temperature superconductors. Since it was established in 2015 the centre has spun off several companies that have become successful businesses. One example is Quantifi Photonics, born in the centre's Auckland labs and recently sold to tech giant Teradyne for an undisclosed sum. The company still employs about 60 staff in New Zealand. "A lot of what we are focused on is how does science and innovation spill out into that growing high tech industry in New Zealand so that we are producing people who support that and then grow the next generation of businesses while also providing the workforce. It is trying to grow that ecosystem." New Zealand had the talent and ideas to build a vibrant high-tech sector but investment in science was needed to train "excellent people" with the skills to drive the next level of technological business. "The one thing I would say is that these overnight successes are usually 20 years in the making." Prof Hutchinson sits on an OECD expert panel advising governments on quantum policy. A revolution is coming in quantum information processing such as quantum computing and quantum sensing. It was important to have the ability to train people locally to understand and use this technology. "We have to be able to train people who understand how these things work, so that they can be the new, if you like, quantum algorithm programmers." Past breakthroughs, from refrigerated meat exports in the 1880s to today's high-tech medical devices, show how scientific innovation can reshape the economy. "It is people that will then go on to grow things that are of economic value for our nation," Prof Hutchinson said. Techweek talk Science driving commercial growth for advanced manufacturing When: Thursday, May 22, 5.30pm-7.30pm Where: University of Otago, Otago Business School atrium Visit and search for Dunedin to register
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Rocket club holding workshops
As Techweek lifts-off on Monday, The Star reporter Sam Henderson explores the events and activities planned for the technology- and innovation-focused week. If your sights are set sky-high, an enthusiastic club may be just right for you. The Otago Rocketry Club was established last year in June and holds regular gatherings to make and launch model rockets. Budding aerospace innovators can get ready for blast-off when the club hosts build-and-fly workshops during Techweek. Sessions will run next week on Monday and Friday at Dunedin Community House. Participants aged eight and over will assemble a model rocket, learn the propulsion and safety basics and then participate in a public launch at Tonga Park, St Clair, on Saturday. Club founder Mike Turner said interest in the group had rocketed soon after he launched it. "I got into rocketry a few years back and found the nearest club to us here in Dunedin was in Christchurch, which is a bit of a trek." Working at engineering firm Fisher & Paykel, he guessed many colleagues and their families would share the same interests. "I thought I would just ask if anyone is interested in building some rockets and I had about 50 people say 'yes, we'd love to'," Mr Turner said. The models use compressed black-powder engines and fin stabilisation. "When the igniter sets fire to the powder, it expands very, very quickly. "It sends out a hot stream of gas through the nozzle, which pushes the rocket upwards." The rockets can rapidly ascend to heights of up to 100m, although larger motors can push similar airframes close to 300m. New Zealand's rocketry regulations mean hobbyists need only follow the New Zealand Rocketry Association's safety code and secure landowner permission for small-scale flights, though Civil Aviation Authority approval is required for larger projects. "The one I am currently working on will go about seven kilometres." For a rocket of that size, he will need to fly to Auckland and travel to Huntly, where the New Zealand Rocketry Association has a high-powered launch site just outside the town. Places for the Techweek workshops are free thanks to funding from TechStep and sponsorship by Dunedin Young Professionals. Participants can keep the rockets they build. Numbers were capped at 45 per session and were filling fast, Mr Turner said. However, membership of the Facebook-based club was informal and free. "Obviously, that is trying to get people excited about science and engineering." Build and launch a rocket When: Monday, May 19, or Friday, May 23, 5.30pm-7pm Where: Rimu Room, Dunedin Community House Minimum age: 8 Launch day: Sunday, May 25, noon-2pm at Tonga Park, St Clair — subject to weather and safety. Visit and search events for "rocket" to register
