Young Kiwis in AI on stage at the M2 AI Summit

YKIA National Conference 2027

Your day in AI.
Come meet your people.

New Zealand's first national conference for young Kiwis in AI. One day of talks, demos and networking with the students, grads and builders shaping AI in Aotearoa.

Fri 12 Feb 20278:30am - 5pm, drinks afterNovotel Auckland Airport

Get your ticket47 days left of early-bird pricing. Students from $79.

200+

young Kiwis in AI

1 day

talks, panels, demos

12 Feb

Auckland Airport

$79

student early-bird

On the day

Not another lecture. A day built for meeting people.

Keynotes and talks

Opening and closing keynotes, plus short talks from people doing real AI work.

Panels

What employers hiring for AI want, and how AI is used inside large NZ businesses.

Young builders showcase

Five young Kiwis pitch what they have built, five minutes each.

Speed networking

Eight quick rounds with people who share your goal, a question on screen each time.

Meet the companies

Partner stands with the teams hiring and building with AI.

Networking

Long breaks, lunch together and drinks from 5pm.

The YKIA crowd

Rooms like these, all in one place.

We have run packed meetups from Auckland to Dunedin. In February the whole country comes together for the first time.

Packed room at a YKIA talk in Christchurch — Christchurch

Networking at the YKIA Dunedin meetup — Dunedin

Networking at YKIA Palmerston North — Palmerston North

Our partners

Backed by teams building AI in New Zealand.

Tickets

Lock in your spot.

Pick your ticket, tell us who is coming, and pay securely with Stripe. Your tickets arrive by email straight away.

Already booked? Find your ticket.

Booking email

The booking confirmation and invoice go here. Each attendee also receives their own ticket.

Attendee 1

Ticket typeThis attendee is currently studying.

First nameLast nameAttendee emailOrganisation / universityCity / regionPhone

LinkedIn profile (optional)Goes on your ticket as a QR code so people can connect with you on the day.Speed-networking zoneYou'll meet people with the same goal in the afternoon session.

Dietary requirements / allergiesAccessibility requirements

Show my full profile in the attendee directory (optional). Every ticket holder is listed with their name, organisation and networking zone. Tick this to also show your city and LinkedIn, so people can connect before and after the day. Never your email or phone.Share my details with conference talent partners (optional). I agree to share my name, email, organisation, region, career stage and LinkedIn so they can contact me about opportunities. Dietary and accessibility details are excluded.I understand the conference will be photographed and filmed. Attendees may appear in photos, video and recordings shared by YKIA and its partners.

How did you hear about the conference?

I agree to the ticket terms, privacy policy and code of conduct. I have permission to register these attendees and record their choices.

Good to know

Questions, answered.

Which ticket should I buy?

Student if you are currently studying. Young Professional if you have under 6 years of work experience. Industry if you have 6+ years of work experience.

What does my ticket include?

Full-day entry from 8:30am, every session, a buffet lunch, and morning and afternoon tea. Networking drinks after 5pm are at your own cost.

Can I book for a group?

Yes, up to 10 people per booking. Each attendee gets their own ticket and QR code by email.

Can I get a refund or transfer my ticket?

Full refunds are available until Tuesday 12 January 2027, one month before the conference. After that tickets are non-refundable, but you can transfer yours to someone else until Friday 5 February 2027. Email blake@harknessai.nz with your booking reference.

How do I get there?

Walking from the terminals

A few minutes on foot from the international terminal. From domestic, take the free inter-terminal bus or walk about 20 minutes.

Open in Google Maps

Driving from Auckland

About 25-40 minutes from the CBD via SH20. Discounted airport parking (Car Park D $45 or Park & Ride $16, up to 8 hours) with a promo code that comes in your ticket email.