NZ Tech Rally IWD 2026 – Wāhine shaping tech communities
Description
Celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 with us as we recognise incredible wāhine community builders across Aotearoa New Zealand.
These women have played a big role in shaping and growing our tech and engineering spaces. So join us to hear their stories, learn from their mahi and and connect with others in the community.
Date: Wednesday, 11 Mar 2026
Venue: Creative HQ, 7 Dixon Street, Wellington CBD, NZ
Time: 4.30 pm - 7.00 pm
Panel moderator: Rachel Collingridge
Panellists: Erica Anderson, Pauli Sosa and Alyce Lysaght
Programme
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Arrival & networking
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Welcome notes
Panel discussion
Audience Q&A
Closing notes
6:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Community mingling & networking
Event entry
This is a free event for our tech community. Everyone is welcome. Please grab your free ticket, as we have limited seating space.
Please save your email with the ticket QR code as we might digitally check-in on arrival at the venue.
If you can't attend, then please email us at info@nztechrally.nz to cancel your ticket, so folks on the waitlist can attend.
For any enquiries, please email info@nztechrally.nz.
Panellists
Rachel Collingridge
Rachel is a senior engineering leader focused on building strong teams and meaningful outcomes. She works with engineering managers, senior leaders, and product teams to support sustainable delivery and growth. Rachel is also a long-term NZ Tech Rally community contributor and will be facilitating our panel discussion.
Erica Anderson
Erica is a security leader with experience in multiple disciplines, but prefers to summarise it as "being a huge security nerd". She is currently the Co-Founder and Director of a cyber security startup called SafeStack, and a Security Engineering Manager at GitLab. Erica also organises Kawaiicon, the longest running security conference in Aotearoa.
Alyce Lysaght
Alyce Lysaght (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Pākehā) is an engineer and Infrastructure Adviser at Manatū Aorere | MFAT. Alyce founded the Māori in Engineering podcast while at university and now the kaupapa shares over 40 stories, using storytelling to amplify Māori voices, lived experiences, and pathways within engineering.
Pauli Sosa
Pauli Sosa is a Project Manager – Investment at Auckland Council and a community builder passionate about connection and impact. Pauli delivers Auckland Startup Week, created Migrants in Tech, co-founded MUV Talks, facilitates Startup Weekend Auckland, and curates Startup Digest Aotearoa New Zealand, focusing on inclusive, people-centred ecosystem growth.
Agenda
- 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Arrival & Networking
- 5:00 pm - 5:10 pm
Welcome notes
Camy Bhandari
- 5:10 pm - 6:00 pm
Panel discussion
Panellists - Erica Anderson, Pauli Sosa, Alyce Lysaght Panel facilitator - Rachel Collingridge
- 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Audience Q&A
Moderated by Rachel Collingridge
- 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm
Community mingling & networking
FAQs
- Is this a free event?
Yes, it is a free community event and everyone is welcome. Please grab your free ticket as seating space is limited.
- Is this event for everyone or just women/wāhine?
This event is open to everyone.
While our panellists are wāhine, the communities they build are for all. We welcome people of all genders to join us in celebrating these incredible community builders. - Is this an in-person or online event?
This is an in-person event in Wellington CBD. Online streaming may be available to our Youtube channel on the day of the event.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
