Christchurch AI
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Monthly meetups · Christchurch, NZ

Artificial Intelligence
in Christchurch

Canterbury's monthly gathering for people building with, thinking about, and curious about AI. Speakers, demos, drinks, and real conversations — at EPIC Innovation, every month.

Join the Community — FreeUpcoming Events ↓
Monthly
Events since 2024
EPIC
Innovation Centre
Free
Always free to attend
Coming Up

Upcoming Meetups

July 2026 Christchurch AI Meetup — AI in Healthcare & Agri-Food Industries
July 2026

AI in Healthcare & Agri-Food Industries

Monday, 13 July 2026 · 5:30 - 8:00 PM NZST

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Drinks & networking 5:30–6:00 PM · Talks 6:00–7:30 PM · Open Q&A until 8:00 PM
Sponsored by AI Coaching Academy
Speaker
Rowena Woolgar
AI Is Not Neutral: Designing Healthcare AI for Real Work, Real Risk
A grounded look at safe healthcare AI delivery across clinical, administrative, and system-level contexts.
Speaker
Dr Harold Mayaba
AI in Agri-Food: Real Opportunities and Smarter Growth
How AI, market intelligence, and consumer behaviour can create practical advantage in New Zealand's agri-food sector.
RSVP on Meetup — FreeEvent Details →
August 2026 Christchurch AI Meetup — Marketing & Comms with AI
August 2026

Marketing & Comms with AI

Monday, 10 August 2026 · 5:30 - 8:00 PM NZST

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Drinks & networking 5:30–6:00 PM · Talks 6:00–7:30 PM · Open Q&A until 8:00 PM
Sponsored by AI Coaching Academy
Speaker
Simon Rush & Nic Hendrie
Accelerating Marketing Strategy with AI
How Trimble uses a Vertex AI-connected workflow to turn campaign briefs into research, strategy, tactical plans, QA, and review support.
Speaker
Caelan Huntress
Build an AI Brand Voice Kit: Clone Your Voice with AI
How to capture tone, rhythm, vocabulary, structure, and personality so AI can write in a consistent, recognisable brand voice.
RSVP on Meetup — FreeEvent Details →
About

Christchurch's AI Community

The Christchurch Artificial Intelligence meetup brings together developers, business leaders, researchers, and curious minds to explore what is happening in AI — practically, ethically, and locally.

We host monthly meetups at EPIC Innovation Centre. Each event features two speakers, drinks, and time to connect with the people building the future of AI in Canterbury and beyond.

Topics range from AI governance and machine learning to practical tools, business automation, and the social impact of artificial intelligence in New Zealand. No jargon required.

AI governance & ethics
Machine learning & LLMs
AI for business
Practical tools & demos
NZ AI ecosystem
Responsible AI
Community

Who comes to Christchurch AI?

A room full of people doing interesting things with AI in Canterbury.

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Business Leaders
Exploring how AI can improve operations, marketing, and decision-making.
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Builders & Developers
Building with LLMs, automation tools, and AI-powered products.
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Researchers & Educators
From University of Canterbury to Lincoln — academics connecting with the local AI ecosystem.
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Founders & Startups
Christchurch's growing startup scene exploring AI as a core product strategy.
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Curious Beginners
No background required. Just bring your questions and an open mind.
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NZ AI Ecosystem
Connect with the wider AI Forum NZ and Canterbury Tech community.
Your Host

Meet the Organiser of the Christchurch AI Meetup

Caelan Huntress — AI Trainer and Public Speaker

Caelan Huntress

AI Trainer · Public Speaker
Founder, AI Coaching Academy

Caelan started his career as an acrobat in the circus. Now he teaches ambitious professionals how to become great AI operators — combining the skills of a theatrical performer and technical geek to make education genuinely engaging.

Classically educated at St John's College in Santa Fe (Great Books programme), he sees the fast-moving world of technology through the lens of the humanities. After a decade as a digital nomad, he now calls Christchurch home.

He is the founder of the AI Coaching Academy, author of Marketing Yourself, and the organiser of the Christchurch AI Meetup.

WebsiteAI Coaching AcademyLinkedInX / TwitterYouTube
Christchurch AI TechWeek 2026 — Call For Speakers
Get Involved

Call For Speakers

We're always looking for people doing interesting things with AI to share their work with the Christchurch community. Whether you're building something, researching something, or have hard-won lessons to share — we'd love to hear from you.

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Builders & Makers
Show us what you're building — demos welcome, polish not required.
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Researchers
Share findings, frameworks, or work-in-progress. Academic and industry both welcome.
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Practitioners
Real-world AI in your industry — what's working, what's not, what you've learned.
Talk format
  • ⏱ 25–45 minutes including Q&A
  • 📍 In person at EPIC Innovation Centre, Christchurch
  • 🎯 Audience ranges from complete beginners to senior engineers — aim for accessible
  • 💡 Slides optional — demos, walkthroughs, and live tools all work great
Christchurch AI Speaking Expression of Interest →
Resources
Read the Blog
Insights and perspectives from the Christchurch AI community.
View Blog →

Ready to join?

It is free. It is monthly. It is the best room in Christchurch for AI conversations.

Join on Meetup — Free

Sponsored by AI Coaching Academy