Auckland · 23 September 2026
Advancing Manufacturing Forum 2026
From assessment to action. A full-day forum connecting New Zealand manufacturers, academics, and the next generation of engineers.
- Date
- 23 September 2026
Presented by
About the forum
One day. Four streams. A working agenda.
The Advancing Manufacturing Forum brings New Zealand manufacturers together with the researchers and students who can help them move faster. It is built around a single idea: assessment is not enough on its own — the day should end with work underway.
The morning opens with a panel on the future of manufacturing in New Zealand, followed by parallel streams covering the technical and commercial questions manufacturers are facing right now. In the afternoon, companies bring a real project brief, pitch it to the room, and spend an hour at the table with academics and students shaping it into something ready to be picked up as a research or final-year project.
Limited spaces available.
Discussion Panel — 9:15 am
The Future of Manufacturing in New Zealand
A moderated discussion between government, policy, and industry on what it will take to lift New Zealand's manufacturing capability over the next decade — and what the sector needs to do itself.
Panellist biographies and headshots will be published here as they are confirmed.
Programme
The day, hour by hour
Session titles and speakers are still being confirmed. The full programme will be published here — register to be notified when it goes live.
- 8:30 amRegistrationWG201
- 9:00 amWelcomeWA224A-B
- 9:15 amDiscussion PanelWA224A-B
- 10:15 amMorning teaWG201
- 10:45 amStreams A + B in parallelA — Digital Manufacturing and Process ModellingB — How Do SMEs Ride the AI Wave?WA224A / WA224B
- 12:30 pmLunchWG201
- 1:30 pmStreams C + D in parallelC — Manufacturing Processes and MaterialsD — Digital Manufacturing LiteWA224A / WA224B
- 3:30 pmAfternoon teaWG201
- 3:45 pmIndustry Engagement SessionWA224A-B
- 4:30 pmCloseWG201
Streams
- A10:45 am · WA224ADigital Manufacturing and Process ModellingMaterials science, tooling, surface treatment, and production quality for New Zealand manufacturers.Prof. Sarat Singamneni — AUT
- B10:45 am · WA224BHow Do SMEs Ride the AI Wave?Practical AI adoption for small and medium manufacturers — what is working, what is not, and what is next.Prof. Xun — UoA
- C1:30 pm · WA224AManufacturing Processes and MaterialsResearch into advanced manufacturing processes, materials innovation, and industry applications.Prof. Zhan Chen — AUT
- D1:30 pm · WA224BDigital Manufacturing LiteIndustry 4.0 tools that SMEs can implement now — sensors, automation, dashboards, and data.Jan Polzer — UoA
Registration
Secure Your Place
Industry
$149
per company
Covers two attendees from the same company, including catering and the industry engagement session.
- Two attendees per company
- Full-day programme access
- Catering included
- Project brief pitch slot
Contact
Get in touch
- General enquiriesecmsengagement@aut.ac.nzAnything about the forum, the programme, or the venue.
- Registrationcatherine@amanz.nzTickets, invoices, and attendee changes.