Media Advisory Invent the Future @ Te Wā Heke

In our own community there are innovators, entrepreneurs and science-led businesses working on the next big thing that will change almost every aspect of our lives.

At Hutt City Council we’re doing some great work through our science, technology, engineering, maths and manufacturing focused initiatives. Now we’re bringing all of this work together under Te Wā Heke - Invent the Future.

This name recognises that we need to embrace innovation in many sectors to handle the big trends and technologies that will change the way we do things. 

We’re showcasing leading edge technology in the Hutt Valley, and New Zealand, and giving you a preview of what our future city will look like at the inaugural Te Wā Heke Festival which will have something for everyone, and will help make sure we’re all ready for the next big thing.

At Te Wā Heke Festival you’ll have the chance to experience a future world through VR, walk through a tiny house, virtually experience digital clones of marae from around the country, see drone racing, see how an electric vehicle works, taste weird and wacky future foods, play with robots, try out new wearable tech while you complete an obstacle course and much more.

More than 1800 school children from 24 schools in Lower Hutt will be attending Te Wā Heke on Friday 24 May.

Some have been involved in a project to create their ideal future city. This has been captured on video and will be on show at the Festival.

Hosted by Hutt City Council and supported by local and international science and technology businesses and organisations Te Wā Heke will excite and inspire.

Event details: Te Wā Heke Festival on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 May at the Lower Hutt Events Centre from 10am to 3pm.

Special opportunities for media to experience first-hand the technologies @ Te Wā Heke, interview exhibitors and Hutt City Council science and technology staff, talk to renowned thought-leaders, and find out about the latest scientific and technological advances in New Zealand and overseas.

Published: 16 May 2019

Background Information

Te Wā Heke 

Science and technology is moving fast. It’s enabling innovation and changing the way we live. Te Wā Heke represents Hutt City Council’s activity in science, technology and innovation,

bringing together new and existing initiatives for our community, businesses, educators and students. It’s about being part of a community that works together to invent the future.

Women in Tech Breakfast series Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May

Women make up only 23% of those employed in technology occupations yet the IT sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in New Zealand employing well over 120,000 people and contributing $16.2B in GDP to our economy.

This year the Women in Tech breakfast series is going regional and we’ll focus on how we can build capacity in the tech sector, especially by promoting diversity.

Te Wā Heke - Invent the Future Industry Reception Wednesday 22 May 5.30 - 7.30pm Lower Hutt Events Centre

This business to business networking evening with guest speaker physicist and science writer Laurie Winkless who will discuss how new technologies are changing our cities.

Other speakers include Mayor Ray Wallace and Dr Laura Sessions, Hutt City Council’s Science and Technology Manager. Take a sneak peek at a few of the exhibits on display at Te Wā Heke Festival such as a VR experience of a city of the future, an electric vehicle XRay car and stop by the fabulous Ford container on display in Andrews Avenue before the reception and explore Ford’s City of Tomorrow - a futuristic transportation operating system shaped by total multi-modal mobility.

Te Wā Heke Festival Friday 24 and Saturday 25 May 2019 Lower Hutt Events Centre 10am until 3pm

See the innovation happening in our community and what our future holds at the first Te Wā Heke Festival. Explore how new technology is changing the way we live, how we move around the city, the types of work available, and even the foods we eat. Te Wā Heke Festival is an official Techweek19 event. Techweek.co.nz is New Zealand’s annual festival of innovation, running nationwide from 20-26 May.

Te Wā Heke Festival Educators Event Friday 24 May 3:30 to 5:00pm Lower Hutt Events Centre

At this exclusive event, primary and secondary school teachers and educators from the tertiary sector and all those involved with STEM education will be given sole access to Te Wā Heke Festival to learn about how technology is changing our lives every day.

Gain inspiration and practical tips for using and discussing technology in your classroom. Drinks and nibbles will be provided and registration is required for entry.

Hutt Science Student Challenge Tuesday 28 May and Thursday 30 May 10am until 11.30am and 1pm to 2.30pm Dowse Art Museum Lower Hutt

100 teams of primary, intermediate and secondary school students will battle it out in the Hutt Science Student Challenge on stage at the Dowse Art Museum Lower Hutt on Tuesday 28 May (primary and intermediate teams) and Thursday 30 May (junior and senior secondary teams).

Who will master this year’s science challenge? There are four categories of competition with schools vying for the MetServices Trophy, Callaghan Innovation Trophy, Hutt Valley DHB Trophy and GNS Trophy.