Events

This event will officially kick off Techweek19 Waikato with a showcase of local businesses with a global footprint plus organisations and initiatives providing information and insights to inspire and support others to do the same.

With a focus on regional capacity building the Expo is designed to cater to young children, youth, small business, technology enthusiasts, industry, council and the wider community through opportunities to -

- get hands on with technology
- hear stories from leading technology businesses within our regional technology ecosystem
- find out more about career paths and study options to retain and grow local talent 
- get information on local expertise and resources available to support businesses on their digital journey
- engage with initiatives and organisations driving regional innovation and growing exports


More information 

The SI, the international system of measurement units, is changing. Learn about the changes at this public event.

Come and hear from the Measurement Standards Laboratory and guest speakers explain the ground breaking science behind the changes to the International System of Units (SI) and the innovation launch pad that it enables. 


Morning Session - Focus on the SI Redefinition, what it is, why is it changing, the impact on NZ and global technology advancements. We announce the winner of our Throwing the Kilogram competition and our student summer project about indigenous measurement practices.

Afternoon Session - Hear from Standards NZ, how does MSL work alongside KiwiStar for optical lenses and the MSA workshop promoting metrology awareness. Ending with MSA Networking hour (R18 restricted) and Laboratory Visits.

This is a free public event but spaces are limited so please register early.

More information and registration.

As of 20 May 2019, the unit of the kilogram will no longer rely on an unstable artefact guarded in a triple locked vault in Paris.

As of 20 May 2019, the unit of the kilogram will no longer rely on an unstable artefact guarded in a triple locked vault in Paris, but on the invariability of Planck's constant h. Similarly, three other base units, the kelvin, the ampere and the mole will be redefined in terms of fundamental constants. This presentation will describe how we have reached this point and why, and what it means for the future. One advantage of using fundamental constants to define our units is that any physical relationship that relies on that constant can be used to realise the unit. This will be illustrated by looking at how several equations of state have been used to define Boltzmann's constant and can now be used to realise the kelvin.

Presented by Peter Saunders- Distinguished Scientist, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Biography: Peter has been working at MSL since 1993 in the area of radiation thermometry, carrying out research in both metrological radiation thermometry and industrial applications. He has worked as a visiting researcher for eight months at IMGC (now INRiM) in Italy, where he investigated the application of CCD cameras to radiation thermometry.

Peter is a technical expert for many IANZ accredited thermometry laboratories in New Zealand.

All Welcome. Gold coin donation at door for non members.

More information.

"Innovation that's good for the world" is the theme for Techweek19.  

Events in the programme will fall under two broad categories: those that inspire attendees and those that build capability.  It’s an open event platform, so anyone can submit an event and if it meets our 
criteria, it will be accepted into the official programme.

To find out more, visit techweek.co.nz. 

Pint of Science aims to deliver interesting and relevant talks on the latest science research in an accessible format to the public – mainly in the pub! We want to provide a platform which allows people to discuss research with the people who carry it out - no prior knowledge of the subject is required. The main festival takes place annually over three days in the month of May simultaneously in pubs across the world.

Event details.


Monday 20 May brought to you by Massey University
Speakers: Hone Morris

Te Taiao, Te Tinana, e rua e rua
From a Māori perspective the human body and the universal environment are related and the terms used by the ancestors are a testament to that. My talk will explain this quintessential interrelationship through narrative and terminology, for example the word for land ‘whenua’ is the same word Māori use for the placenta in that both sustain life.

Tuesday 21 May brought to you by Massey University
Speakers: Jon Huxley and Brett Gartrell

What have cows ever done for us (and perhaps more importantly what can we do in return)?

Cattle are remarkable animals; there were one of the first species to be domesticated and farmed and they are now ubiquitous and indispensable in almost all societies globally. This Pint of Science talk will describe how aspects of bovine anatomy have evolved to cope with the myriad of different environments which they inhabit. Our research has demonstrated how a detailed understand of this anatomical structure and function can help us treat and prevent disease and ensure the health and well-being of this extraordinary species.

Wednesday 22 May brought to you by Massey University
Speakers: Rob Elshire and Simon Hills

So, what do you do?
A thirsty scientist walks into a pub and orders a pint of their finest ale. As they enjoy the pint, a casual conversation about the weather reaches its natural limits. Their new mate asks 'So, what do you do?' This question can cause distress in many scientists. 'I know what I do, but how do I explain it in a way that is relatable and maybe even interesting?' With the help of a volunteer, we will have a conversation about my work in genomics and how this kind of science connects with their life.

Events supported by Manawatu People’s Radio.

History of Pint of Science
In 2012 in London, UK, Dr Michael Motskin and Dr Praveen Paul were two research scientists who started and organised an event called ‘Meet the Researchers’. It brought people affected by Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis into their labs to show them the kind of research they do. It was inspirational for both visitors and researchers.

They thought if people want to come into labs to meet scientists, why not bring the scientists out to the people? And so Pint of Science was born. In May 2013 they held the first Pint of Science festival and it quickly took off around the world, and has now reached New Zealand.

More information.

Do patients have an ethical obligation to share their health data for research?


Associate Professor Angela Ballatyne (University of Otago) presents the first session in the new Human Ethics Committee Seminar Series.

The Human Ethics Committee Seminar Series aims to promote discussion around current challenges in research ethics. This lunchtime session will focus on ethical issues in the use of secondary data for research, particularly data from patients.

The predominant view is that a study using health data is observational research and should require individual consent unless it can be shown that gaining consent is impractical. But there are recent arguments that citizens have an ethical obligation to share their health information for research purposes. Angela will argue this obligation is sufficient ground to expand the circumstances where secondary use research with identifiable health information is permitted without explicit participant consent.

This means that for some studies the research ethics committee review process should not assess the practicality of gaining consent for data use. Instead the review process should focus on assessing the public good of the research, public engagement and transparency.

Angela's argument has consequences for the considerations that the Human Ethics Committee, or the national Health and Disability Ethics Committees, should weigh when deciding whether to approve applications and under what conditions.

All are welcome, bring your lunch!

More information.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s geographical borders may seem obvious and unproblematic, but their history is more interesting than you may suppose. This talk explores the impact of Māori and colonial concepts of ‘border’ on our view of our country, and what bounds and binds us today.

Speaker: Dr Germana Nicklin from Massey University. 
More information.

The give and take of biodiversity: Life on Earth

To the best of our knowledge, Earth is the only place in the universe that is home to life.

How and why has this life developed? What were the great explosions of biodiversity that launched the living world? And what are the Earth-crunching crises that nearly ended it all?

Palaeontologists from Victoria University of Wellington and GNS Science will explore these questions, whilst looking at our own stunning fossil record found on the wobbly nugget of rock known as Aotearoa that sits atop the drowned continent of Zealandia.

Join geologist, Professor James Crampton as he traces the development of complex life and ecosystems around the world over the past 600 million years.

Professor James Crampton is a palaeontologist at Victoria University of Wellington and GNS Science. His early research concerned giant Cretaceous marine clams, up to 2 m long, that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Over the past 20 years or so, he has also worked on diverse topics from the quantification of biological shape and evolutionary patterns, to the rates and processes driving evolution and extinction in the marine plankton. He believes passionately in the value and importance of Zealandia’s remarkable fossil record, which holds the keys to understanding evolution of the Earth system over a huge segment of the planet we live on.
More information and tickets - note this is not a free event. 

Victoria University of Wellington presents three debates about the upcoming challenges of artificial intelligence.

Event runs 21st May 2019 6pm-7:00pm. Every day, until 23rd May 2019.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts from academia and industry will describe the challenges and potential of AI in a series of free public debates organised by Victoria University of Wellington this month.

‘The AI Debates’ will focus on three different areas AI will impact over three events during Techweek2019—the nationwide technology and innovation festival being held across the country 20–26 May, 2019.

The first of the debates on Tuesday 21 May will explore the impact of AI on automation, addressing such questions as: Who is better at driving a car: a human or a computer? How will automation change our cities? Will AI make your life better? What are the moral and social consequences of this new technology?

The impact of AI on education will be the focus of the second debate on Wednesday 22 May, and experts will consider a variety of issues, including whether a human or a computer should educate our children, if there is a viable future for the teaching profession, and what AI will bring to education.

The third and final debate on Thursday 23 May will look at AI and employment, debating who should decide whether you get a job: a human or a computer and how AI will change the employment landscape, among other questions.

All three debates will be held at the University’s Victoria Business School.

More information.

New Zealand’s agricultural industry is under global public scrutiny. Topical issues of waterway pollution and climate change – all intrinsically related to soil science.

The public want the problem solved, the media want to blame someone, and the farmers need help to reduce pollution and increase production.

In a world of misinformation, fake news and political division, what responsibility do soil scientists have in setting the record straight?

More importantly – How can the most up to date and reliable information be communicated to the public and to farmers in an interesting, effective and creative way?

Organiser Bianca Das, The Lincoln Uni Soil Society, And The Lincoln University Alumni Association.
Bianca is a soil scientist and agricultural systems modeller. She believes in creating a healthy planet that nourishes all who live on it.

More information.

Inspired by Nature: Engineering as an Art Form


Beauty in design goes well beyond architecture and ornamentation. It is found in all fields of engineering and has even launched an entirely new field of biologically inspired design called biomimicry.
Biomimicry studies how nature solves problems, such as flight and low-drag swimming, and applies those principles to engineered solutions. This field of study has brought about incredible breakthroughs – microscopic cameras that can “swarm” into a larger image, swimsuits that have the texture of shark skin, and robots that can climb windows or fly like butterflies.

In this upcoming public lecture, University of Canterbury mechanical and biomedical engineer Dr Deborah Munro, will talk about her work designing everything from robotic dinosaurs to orthopaedic implants to prostheses and how studying natural movement informed her best solutions.

Dr Munro was one of the design engineers for the Jurassic Park Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, where you can view her mother and baby ultrasaur, parasaur, and T-Rex. She also worked for NASA and worked on the AX-5 spacesuit, the infrared airplane-mounted telescope called SOFIA, and an animal habitat that flew on the Space Shuttle. Her recent work has been in orthopaedic implant design and biomechanics, with projects including total hip replacement and measurement of spinal fusion with implanted sensors.


More information.

Applying freshwater science to protect New Zealand waterways. 2019 Manawatu Lecture by Professor Russell Death, Massey University

Russell Death is Professor of Freshwater Ecology at Massey University. He has been working in river ecology for 27 years and has specialised in the use of modelling to better understand and manage biological communities in waterways. He has been particularly engaged in providing ecological theory and methodology in an easily useable form for application in everyday water quality management. Russell was awarded the New Zealand Freshwater Science Medal in 2018 by the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society.

In this talk, Russell will discuss his research into New Zealand’s waterways, and the interplay between research and policy for management of our freshwater resources.

The Manawatu Lecture was established by the Royal Society of New Zealand Manawatu Branch as its annualprestigious lecture to recognise aspects of science particularly relevant to the Manawatu. This is the twenty-first Manawatu Lecture.

More information.

A networking event focused on supporting connections to encourage and inspire, with loads of time for networking plus some speakers thrown into the mix sharing their stories around technology entrepreneurship, careers in tech, and pay equity.


Speakers
Louise Hutt
Creative Director. Chief Everything Officer. One of those millennials the internet warned you about.

Nigel Murphy
With over 10 years human resources experience gained in the Waikato and UK, Nigel is responsible for job evaluation, market benchmarking, and pay structure and incentive design and rewards management, plus some work around pay equity.

Kristi Lee Bernards-Sanerive
An experienced and loving leader who cares for her people to get results, Kristi is passionate about education and how technology can better serve us all.

More information 

So much is being said about the changing nature of work, artificial intelligence and automation, and even the disappearance of jobs that it's often hard to really get a grip on what it all means.

Tech in all forms already plays a major role in companies around the world and is growing exponentially. Knowing about the tech and having skills involving creativity for innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, and knowing what questions to ask in the operations of a business, are more important than ever. Understanding the impacts to your current role and adapting your abilities to learn with new technologies and tools enabling you to grow and embrace the coming changes, is essential for the future of work.

Major themes are the growing focus on and importance of:

• Keeping up with AI, Automation, Robotics and the impact of tech
• Beating the machines - how creativity, design and critical thinking will compete against tech
• Adapting and staying relevant in your role with exponential change in tech

More information.

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.

Royal Society Te Apārangi is delighted to be supporting Ko Matariki e ārau ana | The gathering of Matariki in Aotearoa and Australia.

Free admission

More information 

The success of the health system means people are living longer, but potentially also with longer and more complex trajectories at the end of life. This research, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, uses linked data to identify five trajectory groups. The utilisation of services and time spent in the community is explored in novel ways.

Speaker
Heather McLeod will present this seminar on behalf of June Atkinson and herself. Heather is a visiting professor of Statistics and Actuarial Science and has a visiting research appointment at the University of Auckland. June Atkinson is with Public Health at the University of Otago Wellington.

For those unable to be there in person, this seminar will also be offered by webinar. Details on how the webinar works and the link to connect.

More information.

Professor Rangi Matamua will share his detailed knowledge about Matariki and highlight connections between cultural knowledge and science.


Manawa maie te putanga o Matariki
Manawa maie te ariki o te rangi
Manawa maie te Mātahi o te tau

Hail the rise of Matariki
Hail the lord of the sky
Hail the New Year

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.

Royal Society Te Apārangi together with the Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden are delighted to be supporting the Ko Matariki e ārau ana | The gathering of Matariki in Aotearoa and Australia. 

More information.

Professor Rangi Matamua will share his detailed knowledge about Matariki and highlight connections between cultural knowledge and science.

Manawa maie te putanga o Matariki 

Manawa maie te ariki o te rangi
Manawa maie te Mātahi o te tau

Hail the rise of Matariki
Hail the lord of the sky
Hail the New Year

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.

Royal Society Te Apārangi together with the Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden are delighted to be supporting the Ko Matariki e ārau ana | The gathering of Matariki in Aotearoa and Australia. 

More information.

The Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand & Loop are proud to welcome the incomparable Dr. Jane Goodall back to New Zealand in 2019 to help us Rewind The Future. Discover how Dr. Goodall and her Institute are helping to rewind the future for planet earth in three appearances across NZ.

This evening will feature a presentation by Dr. Goodall, and a fireside chat with our guest host, John Campbell. There will also be an acoustic musical performance from members of Fly My Pretties, and a special presentation from 16 year old Maha Fier, a member of the Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand Roots & Shoots programme.

Proceeds from each event will go directly to the Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand, assisting the important work they do to help create a better world for people, other animals and our shared planet.


Tickets from $69.

More information.

Arts + Climate Innovation: The Role of the Arts

Expert climate scientist and recipient of the Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize 2018, Professor James Renwick (Victoria University) and expert Ecologist Dr Mike Joy (Victoria University) will be joined by Track Zero Founder, Sarah Meads and local special guests: artist and creator of WAI, Sam Ludden; writer and Environmental Manager for Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rawiri Smith; author and archivist, Gareth Winter; weaver and Director for Te Pātukituki o Wairarapa, Jade Waetford.

Learn the very latest climate and ecological science. Be inspired by creative projects that help us to understand and care about our planet. Contribute to the conversation. Explore how more can be done, working with the power of the arts to inspire climate action - the biggest cultural challenge of our time.

This event is taking place alongside two, exciting exhibitions hosted at Aratoi exploring our relationship with water: Sam Ludden, WAI – Manga Maha, Awa Kotahi (One River, Many Streams) 30 March – 26 May. WAI seeks to reconnect the Wairarapa community with its waterways through art, and to advocate for the rivers of the region through education; Water/Way – Curated by Gregory O’Brien and Bruce Foster, the exhibition presents new work by the 13 artists from The Water Project exploring the rivers and lakes of Aotearoa, 13 April – 4 August. This event is part of the closing ceremony for WAI.

More information 

Public Lecture by Professor Raphael J Heffron, University of Dundee, UK

Energy and climate change policy is changing rapidly in New Zealand as in other countries globally. Zero Carbon legislation has been introduced in Parliament, and the government has adopted the concept of a just energy transition in the wake of its ban on further oil and gas exploration offshore. Professor Raphael Heffron has a wealth of research experience in energy and climate change law, particularly on just transitions, energy justice, and carbon capture and storage, and he is widely published in the field. In his lecture he will share his knowledge and insights from international experience, and provide a global perspective on New Zealand developments.

This event is hosted by the Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law (CEREL).

Please register to attend the event.

More information.

The New Zealand Minerals Forum is a two-day conference and exhibition covering mining in New Zealand. It is designed: to showcase the New Zealand mining sector to stakeholders and prospective investors; and educate and inform the New Zealand mining community. It attracts high-level attendance from mining companies, government regulators and agencies, the investment community and service companies.

Conference website.

Professor Steve Wratten presents an in-depth analysis of how ‘western’ agriculture can damage the prospects for our future food security and offers ideas for practical and ‘sustainable’ improvement on how we grow our food.

Two billion people do not know where their food will come from tomorrow. Current ‘western’ farming practices may not be the solution but regenerative agriculture is a promising prospect. We need to export our knowledge of sustainable farming, not commodities that have environmental damage associated with their production and use.

His lively talk will include audience interactions, videos, animations and living insects.
Distinguished Professor Steve Wratten, FRSNZ, has three professorships and three doctorates and holds a James Cook Fellowship. He is a world leader in biological control of pests and agroecology. He has studied and worked in the universities of Reading, Glasgow, London, Cambridge and Southampton, UK. He is a frequent writer of gardening columns for a range of media and is a frequent speaker at garden clubs, University of the Third Age (U3A) and Rotary, among others.

More information.