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Connect Waikato

Human connection in an AI world.

Opens Thu 4 Jun · 9:00pm About the event
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Te kaupapa

Keeping people at the centre

As AI rapidly changes how we work and live, one thing matters more than ever.... meaningful human connection - Paul Singh.

Connect Waikato brings together business owners, innovators, educators and community voices to explore practical AI adoption while keeping people at the centre.

Our inaugural event · Wednesday 8 July 2026

This free event features
  • Inspiring speakers
  • Practical AI stories
  • Panel discussions
  • Networking & spot prizes
  • Community connection
  • Complimentary food & drink
Limited to 200 attendees First in, first served In-person only

Join us

When
Wed 8 July
5:30–7:30pm
Where
Park Central
Waikato Innovation Park
3 Melody Lane, Hamilton East
Parking
Free on site
Food & Drink
Free
Tickets
Free · via Humanitix
Opens Thu 4 Jun · 9:00pm
Ngā kaikōrero

The speakers

Business owners, leaders, builders, educators, and thinkers exploring what it means to stay human as technology accelerates.

Trent Montgomery, TDM Transport

Trent Montgomery

Managing Director · TDM Transport

TDM Transport, a Hamilton based specialist in oversize loads, modular building moves, and Hiab lifting across NZ. Trent took an admin heavy office to AI-assisted software that dispatches trucks, manages jobs through to Xero invoicing.

Topic Less admin, more road
Adam Holt

Adam Holt

Co-Founder TheColab.ai

Aotearoa's official Claude Ambassador and co-founder of TheColab.ai, helping New Zealand organisations move from AI curiosity to genuine capability.

Topic AI Agents
Benny Pan

Benny Pan

Founder, InspiraEd · AI in Education

A physics and chemistry teacher and founder of InspiraEd, Benny works at the intersection of AI and education. An educator and builder championing responsible, culturally grounded AI in New Zealand classrooms.

Topic What does AI mean for the next generation of talent?
Nick Foley

Nick Foley

Co-Founder · Longcloud

Longcloud, a Hamilton-based AI studio building bespoke software. Having lived and worked in England and the US, Nick has a deep appreciation for NZ Inc. and what we can do to leverage our unique place in the world.

Topic Small country, big leverage
Ngā Kaitautoko

Our sponsors

Connect Waikato is made possible by the organisations backing human centred technology in our region.

He Whakataukī

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

In an age of intelligent machines, this remains Connect Waikato's compass.