Tech Talk 

Date and time: 20 August 6-8pm
Unleash Space – 20 Symonds St

Step into the world of tech innovation at Tech Talk, an engaging event led by Velocity in collaboration with the Web Development and Consulting Club and the University of Auckland Computer Science Society. Hear real stories from tech entrepreneurs and innovators who are turning cutting-edge technologies into impactful solutions.

Join us for an evening of powerful talks and candid discussions with founders and tech leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Discover how they’ve harnessed tech to solve problems, drive change, and launch successful ventures – and how you can too.

Connect with tech innovators – Meet founders and innovation professionals who are using technology to tackle real-world challenges.
Gain insights into the tech landscape – Discover emerging trends and opportunities in the tech sector and learn how to make the most of them.
Prepare to take action – Leave with actionable strategies to kickstart your own career in the technology space and beyond.

This event is open to aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs from the University of Auckland and the wider community. All are welcome – join us to connect, learn, and be inspired!

Refreshments provided.

Tech trends and insights – Learn how technology is driving innovation and what emerging trends to watch and prepare for.
Entrepreneurial stories – Gain inspiration from entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the tech start-up space, from initial ideas to scaling their ventures.
Career opportunities and readiness – Explore potential pathways in tech innovation and entrepreneurship.
Meaningful connections – Network with start-up founders, tech innovators, and fellow students keen to make a tech-driven impact.

Callum Quin - Product Development Engineer, Zuru

Callum is Group AI integration Lead at ZURU, a global innovation-driven company known for its cutting-edge software, automation, and disruptive product design. Since its founding in 2003, ZURU has rapidly grown and now spans three core divisions - ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge (consumer goods) and ZURU Tech (construction), employing over 5,000 team members across 30+ global locations.

With a background in product development and engineering, Callum helps drive ZURU’s vision to reimagine the future through tech-enabled solutions that scale globally.

Ihshan Gumilar - AI Consultant, HCLTech

Ihshan brings a unique blend of AI engineering, neuroscience, and psychology to the tech space. He has worked as a Generative AI Engineer for companies including Fonterra, and now works as an AI Consultant at HCLTech.

His doctoral research explored inter-brain synchrony in virtual collaboration, and he speaks multiple languages, including Indonesian, English, French, German, and Arabic. As the founder of AImpathy, Ihshan is committed to building AI that empowers humans, guided by a deep understanding of how we think, connect, and collaborate.

Tisha Patel - Technology Consulting Analyst, PwC

Tisha is a Senior Analyst Consultant at PwC, working in the Digital & Data Transformation team. She supports public and private sector clients in aligning technology strategies with business outcomes, with a particular focus on process automation, generative AI, and digital transformation.

With a background in Computer Science, Tisha works at the intersection of people, process, and technology, helping organisations navigate the evolving digital landscape.

Tony Cui - Software Engineer, AWS

Tony is a Software Engineer at Amazon Web Services and a recent graduate in Software Engineering from the University of Auckland. He’s passionate about building scalable, user-focused applications, with hands-on experience in frontend, backend, and cloud infrastructure. Outside of work, Tony enjoys exploring the outdoors and playing badminton.

Xaviere Murray-Puhara - Co-Founder of kahu.code and Tech Taniwha

Xaviere Murray-Puhara is a founder, connector, and serial idea-ist with 10 years of experience in the tech industry. She currently works at the intersection of AI, te reo Māori, te ao Māori, and leadership development, blending innovation with intent to explore what the future could look like when more of us feel seen, supported, and inspired.

As co-founder of Tech Taniwha and kahu.code, kaupapa Māori spaces designed to uplift Māori in tech and create new pathways forward. She is passionate about helping early-career technologists and emerging leaders feel confident bringing their whole selves into te ao hangarau - the world of tech.

Join us and be inspired by the stories of Kiwi tech innovators!