Don't miss our next Waipā Tech Series meetup!
We can't wait to see you! Everything you need to know about our next session is provided below.
2026 Waipa Tech Series Meetup #4 -Everyone's talking about Claude. Why?
Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Location: BNZ Cambridge Partners Centre level 1/51 Victoria Street, Cambridge
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.
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
We have some great local experts who are actively using AI and building with it every day. There will plenty of opportunities for audience questions and participation. See speakers below.
If you've got your own hot tip on using Claude bring it along as you may find we have a prize for the best tip.
Why attend?
Fresh insights
Clear, practical advice you can act on immediately
Connection with the district’s thinkers and doers
Be sure to book your place now and get inspired for 2026!
Enjoy drinks and nibbles while connecting and networking with other founders, operators, and support providers.
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.
Richard King and Lee Reichardt | Co-founders 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'll share 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 had 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.
Meetup #4 for 2026 is sponsored by BNZ
Register to join us on Tuesday, 13 October 2026
5pm - 6:30pm
What are the Waipā Tech Meetups?
This is an initiative brought to you by Rocketspark, Soda Inc., Belle PR, BNZ, and the Waipā District Council.
We offer 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 district.
What’s on offer?
Keynote speakers to talk through the latest tech-related skills, trends, and founder stories
Networking opportunities with local businesses
A relaxed environment with refreshments
