The crowd was diverse: tech founders, industry leaders, researchers, students, investors and community builders. The kōrero was purpose-driven and full of substance with ideas shared, connections sparked and insights offered from a panel of industry leaders shaping the future of the region’s tech ecosystem.
The Winning from the Waikato event, co-hosted by Tech in the Tron, HIKO Hub and the University of Waikato, was the perfect reflection of a region known for being connected, innovative and driven by genuine relationships.
Panelists on stage at Te Āhurutanga, The Pā, University of Waikato
Signs of a maturing tech landscape
Throughout the morning, the kōrero pointed to a tech and innovation sector that operates with purpose, thinks long-term and has a true sense of community.
Several speakers challenged the idea of chasing trends or growth for its own sake, instead highlighting the importance of building businesses that reflect local values and create meaningful outcomes.
Clare Bradley, CEO of AgriSea New Zealand Seaweed Ltd (Paeroa, Hauraki District)
“Start from truth, not from trend,” reflected Agrisea CEO, Clare Bradley.
“What values won’t you compromise? Collaborate boldly. Partner for purpose. Innovation isn’t always about speed – it’s often about depth…and often the value lies beneath the surface.”
ST Genetics vice president John Sharpe took this further, emphasising that Waikato draws its strength not only from capability, but from a relationship-first approach to collaboration.
“In the Waikato, we operate through our networks, relationships and common aspiration to do well, for and by each other and our community – and events like this reflect that.
“One thing that continues to amaze me is the power of long-term business and personal relationships and the trust they create over time which can lead to great things.
“I really believe that these enduring trust-based relationships are a powerful weapon and a competitive advantage for us here.
“Because when you get the right people working together, it’s amazing what can be achieved from small beginnings. And there are many, many ways we can continue to win from here in the Waikato.”
John Sharpe, EVP of Flow Cytometry, STGenetics and COO of Cytonome/ST (Aotearoa New Zealand & Massachusetts, USA)
Why Waikato?
When asked why tech talent are increasingly choosing the Waikato, speakers pointed to a combination of connectivity, capability and choice.
Tū Ātea chair Mike Jenkins, noted that although Waikato’s tech scene has always been full of world-class people and businesses, humility is holding it back.
Mike Jenkins, Chairman of the Board at Tū Ātea (Aotearoa New Zealand)
“We need more people standing up, talking about their stories and showing Aotearoa and the world what’s actually going on here. Even just this morning, I’ve learnt about a handful of new and exciting businesses I hadn’t come across before.”
Hillary Sharp, CEO of ESP Medical (Kirikiriroa Hamilton)
ESP Medical CEO, Hillary Sharp, who spoke to the depth of agritech capability in the region, believes the key ingredients are already here.
“I’m a huge advocate for doing business here…we have all the skills…but we need to be better at shouting from the rooftops about what we can offer,”
“Developing a product here has been incredible and I encourage anyone in the agritech space to reach out to that ecosystem.
“We have the infrastructure here to support these businesses from the early stages of product development…it really does take a village to get some of these projects off the ground so I encourage us all to support them if we can.”
For Gallagher Security’s head of digital, Thomas Harding, living in Raglan and working in Hamilton offers a sense of choice and balance.
And global leaders are starting to notice.
“We had senior leaders in the country recently, and they were blown away with everything we have at our doorstep,” says Thomas.
Dr. Rosanne Ellis, John Sharpe and Maria Te Aukaha Huata
Momentum with meaning
The message from the room was clear: Waikato’s tech sector has depth, drive and global relevance.
It has many of the ingredients found in successful tech hubs: a pipeline of talent, supportive education institutions, a culture of collaboration and an entrepreneurial mindset that thinks big and seeks out opportunities.
And if the conversations inside The Pā were anything to go by, there’s a growing willingness across the region to lean into its momentum and shape that next stage of growth collaboratively.
