Innovate Ōtautahi 2024 has captivated more than 11,000 people in Christchurch with a week of events showcasing the latest in aerospace, business, startups and tech.
In its second year, the week featured three innovation-focused events that brought together local and international talent, alongside thousands of Christchurch residents, for dynamic conversations, collaboration, and valuable insights.
CEO of ChristchurchNZ Ali Adams says the week cemented Christchurch’s status as a vibrant hub of innovation. “The collaboration across industries on display confirmed to me that there’s few better places to innovate than in Ōtautahi Christchurch,” said Adams. “It was another remarkable moment for our city, highlighting the innovative spirit that thrives here.”
Aerospace Summit: Soaring to new heights
The week kicked off with the New Zealand Aerospace Summit, emphasising Aerospace For Good. The two-day event included over 650 attendees, more than 50 speakers, 32 exhibitors, and 18 sponsors, showcasing the robust support for New Zealand's aerospace community.
Attendees were inspired by keynote speakers Charity Weeden (NASA), Heidi Hauf (Aviation/Aerospace Australia), and Hidetaka Aoki (Space Port Japan), who shared their insights into the future of aerospace. Also in attendance was New Zealand's Minister for Space Hon Judith Collins, who announced new government initiatives to support the industry.
President of Aerospace New Zealand Mark Rocket emphasised the ‘for good’ theme of the summit, noting New Zealand was in a unique position.
Mark Rocket, President of Aerospace New ZealandUnlike all the other orbital capable countries in the world, we don't have a dominant military industrial complex, and this enables us to approach aerospace from a uniquely Kiwi perspective. Many of our aerospace projects have strong environmental and sustainability and humanitarian considerations."
Canterbury Tech Summit: Celebrating 21 Years
Next up at Te Pae was the Canterbury Tech Summit, where industry leaders gathered to discuss amazing growth – alongside pressing challenges – in the tech sector. Keynote speakers included futurist Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM, and Graham Grant, CEO of Seequent. The 21st Tech Summit was attended by just under 700 members of the tech community.
This year’s event included a Networking and Interactive Stage designed to help the community make valuable connections by taking part in discussions and activities about technology. Also new was the Startup Zone thanks to Platinum Sponsor ASX – Australian Securities Exchange – highlighting some of Canterbury’s exciting startup businesses.
Louisa Taylor, General Manager at Canterbury Tech said the Summit brought a new level of connection to the well-established and high-growth sector.
Louisa Taylor, General Manager at Canterbury Tech"As an industry we’re constantly changing and the Summit is a perfect way to keep abreast of the changes, hear from different perspectives and showcase the strength of the sector."
Innovation Expo: Engaging the community
Wrapping up an epic week of events was the 2024 Smart Christchurch Innovation Expo, where over 10,000 attendees immersed themselves in cutting-edge technology. Featuring 70 interactive exhibitions and 34 engaging speakers, the family-friendly Expo inspired attendees of all ages.
The Innovation Expo featured the best and brightest ideas by local and national businesses, organisations, educational institutions, and local government. From engaging showcases of the latest technological solutions to captivating interactive experiences, the expo gave the wider public an opportunity to witness firsthand the transformative power of innovation.
Coming up in 2025
Innovate Ōtautahi is set to return in 2025 with an impressive line up of speakers, exhibitors and events to inspire, connect and inform.
