Waipa Tech Meetup #4 2026

Meetup #4 2026 - Everyone's talking about Claude. Why?
Date: 13 October 2026
Location: BNZ Cambridge Partners Centre, Level 1, 51 Victoria Street, Cambridge

For the final Waipā Tech Meetup for 2026 we'll be discussing why everyone's talking about Claude.

ChatGPT may have started the AI conversation, but lately another name keeps coming up: Claude.

Developers are building with it. Founders are adopting it. Teams are using it to write, analyse, code and solve problems in ways that are changing how businesses operate.

So, what's different about Claude? Is it genuinely better for some tasks, or is it simply the latest AI hype cycle?

Join us for the final Waipā Tech Meetup of 2026 as we unpack the rise of one of the world's fastest-growing AI platforms. Through a candid, facilitated discussion, our panel will explore:

• Why Claude has become a favourite among many developers and technical teams

• How founders and businesses are using it in the real world

• Where it performs better (and worse) than competing AI tools

• What opportunities AI creates for startups and growing businesses

• The skills and mindsets businesses will need as AI continues to evolve 

Guest Speakers

Paul Osborne

Paul is a product designer and AI consultant with 15+ years’ experience building digital products across startups, SaaS and fintech.

He helps businesses turn AI into an unfair advantage, designing better products, automating the boring stuff, and building smarter workflows that move the needle.

In his quick, practical session, Paul will share a few ways to bring Claude into your everyday workflow, from giving it better context and setting up Projects, to building repeatable ways of working that can save you time and improve the work you’re already doing.

No AI hype. Just practical ideas, tools and workflows you can put to work tomorrow.

Richard King and Lee Reichardt

Co-founders at Rocketspark

From AI assistant to company brain: what they’re learning at Rocketspark

Richard and Lee will share Rocketspark’s journey with AI from simple code completion through to agentic coding, automated code reviews, fix agents, project management and shared team context.

They’ll cover what’s worked, what hasn’t, and some of the lessons they’re learning along the way. They have some great insights on how AI can create new bottlenecks and “AI slop”, how regular workshops helped bring the whole team on the journey, and why giving AI great context has been one of the biggest impacts.

They’ll also look at how businesses can start capturing the knowledge that normally lives inside people’s heads, turn it into shared organisational context, and use AI more like a company brain rather than just another chatbot.

Enjoy drinks and nibbles while connecting and networking with other founders, operators, and support providers.

Be sure to book your place now and get inspired for our final event for 2026!

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Thanks to our sponsors

A huge shout out to BNZ Cambridge for hosting us, and of course our regular sponsors: Waipā District Council, Rocketspark, Soda INC., and Belle PR.

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What is Waipā Tech Meetups?

This is a new initiative brought to you by Rocketspark, Soda Inc., Belle PR, BNZ, and the Waipā District Council.

Waipā Tech Meetups is a series of events, designed to bring Waipā-based tech businesses together for insights from local tech experts (or "tech-sperts"). Expect practical tips and techniques, opportunities to network with like-minded businesses, and drinks and nibbles in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. 

Who’s it for?
Tech businesses and budding entrepreneurs in the Waipā region.

What’s on offer?

• Key note speakers to talk through the latest tech-related skills, trends, and founder stories

• Networking opportunities with local businesses

• A relaxed environment with refreshments