More than 50 new tech migrants connected with fellow newcomers and the wider local tech community at the inaugural Auckland Tech Newcomers Meet-Up last month at GridAKL.
The fun and informal event series is set up as an opportunity for the newcomers to learn about Auckland’s tech ecosystem and opportunities across the sector, hear from other migrants about their experience living and working in Auckland and explore how ‘the power of the flat white’ can help them succeed.
At the inaugural event, recent migrants met with fellow tech professionals who have lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for several years and those born here for casual networking, pizza, presentations and a Q&A session.
Making connections
Designed to be relaxed and inspiring, this meet-up was the first of a regular event series to welcome tech migrants to Auckland and help them find their feet in the city’s growing tech sector. The events are part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Tech Tāmaki Makaurau strategy – a three-year programme of action to grow Auckland’s technology industry, create jobs, and attract talent and investment to the region.
“Events such as the meet-up series provide vital connections and opportunities that help set new tech migrants up for success,” says Ryan Archibald, Manager Tech Industries at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. “In turn, their success benefits the broader tech ecosystem in Auckland and Aotearoa.”
First-hand insights
The evening’s speakers were Imche Fourie, founder and CEO of Outset Ventures, now the largest science and engineering venture incubator in Aotearoa, and award-winning digital innovator Melanie Langlotz, who both shared their experiences of life and work in Auckland as tech migrants.
One key takeaway for newcomers was how important relationships and networking are in New Zealand – or, as Melanie describes it, “the power of the flat white.”
Pauli Sosa, Tech Industries Community Manager at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says these events are set up to strengthen the sense of community in the tech sector and make the adaptation period easier for newcomers. "These are all about newcomers beginning to build their own connections in the sector in a laid-back, supportive environment," she says. "On top of the insights and tips from the speakers new migrants have a chance to meet others who are in the same boat – we even had one attendee who'd arrived in Auckland only six days earlier. The first event was well-received by attendees and we look forward to hosting the next event at GridAKL on Wednesday 22 February ".
Keen to join in?
RSVP now for the next Auckland Tech Newcomers Meet-Up on 22 February at GridAKL.
Want to know more? If you’re a recent tech migrant, or someone who’d like to chat to and support newcomers to Auckland’s tech industry, contact Pauli Sosa at [email protected] and keep an eye out for more local tech events here.