YKIA National Conference 2027
New Zealand's first national conference for young Kiwis in AI. A full day connecting the country's most AI-engaged students, grads and early-career builders with the people hiring, building and leading in AI.
Novotel Auckland Airport · 200+ attendees
200+
attendees
Full day
8:30 - 5:00
Auckland
12 Feb 2027
The Conference
What it is
YKIA National Conference 2027 is New Zealand's first national conference for young Kiwis in AI. One full day, 200+ attendees, hosted by Young Kiwis in AI (YKIA) - A nationwide community of 352 young New Zealanders in AI, founded by Blake Harkness (Harkness AI).
Graduated into a World of AI, Christchurch
Who is in the room
Students, grads and early-career AI builders from across New Zealand.
What you get
A day of talks, panels, a young builders showcase, mentor tables and real connections.
Where
Novotel Auckland Airport. Steps from the international terminal.
The Day
What to expect
A full day, roughly 8:30am - 5:00pm, with optional networking drinks after.
Keynotes and talks
Opening and closing keynotes, plus short talks from people working in AI.
Panels
What businesses hiring for AI actually want right now, and how AI is used inside large New Zealand businesses.
Young builders showcase
Five young Kiwis pitch what they have built, five minutes each, right before lunch so you can find them after.
Mentor tables
Small-group conversations in two tracks: building something of your own, or getting hired. Pick a track and rotate.
Meet the companies
Partner stands where you can talk to the teams hiring and building with AI in New Zealand.
Networking
Long breaks, lunch together and networking drinks from 5pm.
Speakers
The line-up is being confirmed now, across large New Zealand businesses, start-ups and the people doing the hiring.
Waitlist members hear the names first.
More than a lecture hall
Talks to listen to, and people to actually meet
Our meetups already mix talks, demos and open networking. The conference scales that up to a national day, with mentor tables and a young builders showcase built in.
For You
Who it is for
Anyone young and curious about AI. No experience required.
Students
Figuring out where to start. Come to see what is possible and meet people a few steps ahead of you.
Grads and early-career builders
In your first AI role, or close to it. Find your people, and maybe your next opportunity.
Already building
Shipping projects or working in AI. Share what you know and connect with the wider NZ scene.
Dunedin event
The Community
One community, one room
Young Kiwis in AI runs meetups all over the motu, from Auckland to Christchurch to Dunedin. The conference brings that whole community together in one place for a day - the biggest gathering of young AI builders the country has had.
Kiwis already shipping
The next generation is already building
Young Kiwis in AI on stage at the M2 AI Summit. This is the energy the conference is built to grow.
Waitlist
Be first in line
Registration is not open yet. Join the waitlist and you will be first to know when it opens. Sponsoring instead? The Sponsoring tab takes a quick enquiry, and the tiers are on the sponsor page.
Partners
Sponsor the conference
Put your team in front of 200+ students, grads and early-career AI builders, with an opt-in talent pool, stage time and a stand on the day. The Student Fly-In Fund lets you bring people in from your own city.
Founding Partner
A marquee employer or naming sponsor
Talent Partner
Companies actively hiring AI talent
Supporting Partner
Own a named moment of the day, with your team in the room
Community Supporter
Startups, recruiters and solo sponsors
Last updated