Bringing together software researchers, academics, students and industry leaders from across Aotearoa.
Register NowSoftware Innovation NZ (SINZ) is the New Zealand software research network. It brings together software researchers from universities, Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), government agencies, other tertiaries, and industry-based researchers — forming a coordinated network of research excellence with demonstrable industry impact.
SINZ develops proven capacity to attract, grow and retain global research leaders who make a substantial and sustained contribution both to software-related research and to the NZ economy. It interacts with a wide range of companies, state agencies, educational bodies and international collaborators to deliver on its twin goals of science excellence and socio-economic impact. Learn more about SINZ →
To establish New Zealand as a country offering high quality software development through advanced research and smart collaboration.
To foster a software engineering ecosystem in New Zealand that creates wealth and jobs, and contributes to social, cultural and environmental well-being.
Attract, grow and retain world-class software researchers to strengthen New Zealand's research ecosystem.
Challenge partners to co-create innovative software-based products and services through smart collaboration.
A full day of working groups, lightning talks, an industry panel, and networking.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:25 am |
Arrival, Meet & Greet
Register for a working group and connect with fellow attendees.
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 9:25 – 9:30 am |
Nau Mai, haere Mai!
Welcome Words by Dr. Judith Fuchs, Social Chair of SINZ
Join us to kick off the forum with an overview of the day's activities.
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 9:30 – 11:00 am |
Working Groups
Working Groups — Session 1
Discuss and brainstorm a proposed topic in small working groups, generating ideas and insights that could feed into longer-term collaborations.
See the topics →
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 11:00 – 11:30 am |
Break
Light Morning Tea & Poster Session
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 11:30 am – 12:45 pm |
Working Groups
Working Groups — Session 2 (continued)
Continue working group discussions, deepening ideas and consolidating insights.
See the topics →
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 12:45 – 1:30 pm |
Break
Lunch & Poster Session
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 1:30 – 3:30 pm |
Lightning Talks
Lightning Talks + Working Group Presentations
Students and academics deliver lightning talks. Working groups present their key insights and ideas to the full audience.
|
Rehua 226 - Te Moana See the map → |
| 3:30 – 4:00 pm |
Break
Short walk to Ilam Homestead
|
|
| 4:00 – 5:15 pm |
Panel
Industry Panel Discussion + Q&A
How AI is reshaping software development, and how universities could adapt their teaching to better prepare graduates for
industry
Hear from leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand's software sector. Meet the panelists → |
Ilam Homestead See the map → |
| 5:15 – 6:25 pm |
Socialising, Nibbles & Drinks
Unwind and continue conversations over refreshments.
|
Ilam Homestead See the map → |
6:25 – 6:30 pm |
Haere rā
Closing Remarks by Associate Professor Kelly Blincoe, General Chair of SINZ
Join us for closing the day's activities and wishing farewell to everyone.
|
Ilam Homestead See the map → |
The SINZ Forum 2026 continues a growing tradition of annual gatherings that unite New Zealand's software engineering research community. Browse our past events below.
A one-day event featuring keynote speakers Assoc. Prof. Judy Bowen (University of Waikato) and Prof. John Grundy (Monash University), academic sessions, a student symposium, and an evening reception.
View Website ↗A two-day inaugural international workshop with keynotes from Prof. Mauro Pezzè (USI Switzerland) on the future of software testing, and Dr. Panos Patros (Raygun NZ) on AI-enabled performance engineering. Included a student symposium and social events.
View Website ↗Planned as a two-day workshop on Leveraging Software Ecosystems for Global Expansion, featuring invited speakers including Prof. Daniela Damian, Prof. Oscar Nierstrasz, and Robert O'Callahan. Cancelled due to COVID-19.
View Programme ↗Secure your place at the SINZ Forum 2026. Spaces are limited — register early to avoid missing out.
Register on Humanitix ↗