More than 520 recent migrants to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland have attended Tataki Auckland Unlimited’s Migrants in Tech meet-ups, a series of events to help newcomers learn about Auckland’s tech community and make new connections.
Big crowds and inspiring speakers
Launched in December 2022, the Migrants in Tech initiative has now seen more than 520 attendees. The series spans five in-person events at GridAKL and one online event, with speakers across a range of backgrounds, countries and industries, from AI to deep tech. Hearing first-hand experiences – the positive and the challenging – can be invaluable for newcomers as they settle in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Speakers shared plenty of advice that resonated with the participants, including the importance of networking (‘the power of the flat white’), connecting with and supporting fellow migrants, and reaching out to potential employers to ask for advice.
Pauli Sosa, Community Manager - Tech Industry at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says that building a career as a migrant is not easy.
We hear from many newcomers that it's hard to find a job when you don't have ‘Kiwi experience’ yet. We wanted to create a space where migrants can collaborate, build their networks, hear success stories and share experiences of living and working in Auckland. For us at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, it's also an opportunity to better understand the migrant journey so we can provide more tools and support to attract top talent to the region.
The next Migrants in Tech event will be held on the 19th of October at GridAKL/John Lysaght.
Commitment to growing a thriving community
Auckland's tech scene is thriving, with 4300 new tech jobs expected over the next five years. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited recently launched the Auckland is Calling campaign to attract migrants to join our diverse tech sectors as they continue to grow. But enticing tech talent to move to the Auckland region is only one part of the journey, and this is where Tātaki Auckland Unlimited saw an opportunity.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Head of Tech and Innovation, Marissa Brindley says: “We are proud to be attracting and retaining the world’s best technology workers, as well as committed to growing a thriving community for tech migrants. The Migrants in Tech events enable migrants to come together to establish new connections, create a supportive network, and provide essential guidance as they collectively navigate life in a new city and country.”
Migrants have so much to offer when they become part of our tech ecosystem, and it's important for all of us in the wider tech community to not only make them feel welcome but to help set them up for long-term success in Tāmaki Makaurau. These events are a step towards that goal.
Calling Auckland tech employers
If you're an Auckland tech employer, register to come along to these events – they are great opportunities to meet potential new talent and network with industry innovators. You can also encourage recent migrants in your own business to attend – even those who have secured a job can benefit from friendship and support networks as they adjust to life in their new city.
Interested in contributing or promoting your own business to fresh tech talent? Pauli says the team is always looking for inspiring speakers, panel members or people to volunteer their time and share their industry experiences and insights. Email Pauli at [email protected] to find out how you can get involved.
Growing our tech sector through talent attraction The Migrants in Tech event series is part of the Tech Tāmaki Makaurau strategy, a three-year programme of action to grow Auckland’s technology industry, to create jobs and to attract talent and investment to the region.
The creation of a tech migrant community was identified by industry as a priority action of the strategy. These events are an essential initiative to build a culturally diverse and values-led tech industry, says Marissa Brindley.