TechTuesday – October 2026

This October, TechTuesday is shaking up the standard format with 10×2 Power Talks!

Sponsored by Stratos Technology Partners and Nonsuch.
Hosted by Foodstuffs South Island

10×2 Power Talks:

We are challenging our local tech thinkers, builders, and leaders to take the stage with a strict set of rules: 10 slides, automatically changing every 12 seconds, giving each speaker exactly 2 minutes to deliver their message.

It is high-energy, brutal on timekeeping, and guaranteed to be packed with punchy, actionable ideas across software, leadership, hardware, AI, and startup survival.

Hear from:

• Employer Branding for Hiring – Chloe Sabbadin
• AI can explain your product. But will anyone care? – Soo May Yuan
• The Cancerous Growth of Datacentres – Caelan Huntress
• In business and relationships, the problem is the same: other people – Dan Randow
• Starting Again in Tech: A Japanese Developer’s Perspective on Christchurch – Takahiro Okada

Foodstuffs South Island is a member-owned co-operative – owned by the local grocers who run our stores, so profits and decisions stay in the South Island. Nearly 100 years on, that model spans 200+ New World, PAK’nSAVE, Four Square, On the Spot and Trents stores, 14,000 team members, and the wholesale, distribution and logistics operation behind them – all technology enabled.

Hear from Anna Dillon (Head of National Digital and Planning), Nathan Currie (Head of Digital Platforms) and Jonathan Reuben (Head of Digital Retail Products) on CCTV & Facial Recognition and Infrastructure Automation & DevSecOps.

Bring someone with you. Your guest comes free!
This is the easiest night of the year to introduce someone to Canterbury Tech. The talks are short, the room is friendly, and nobody has to commit to anything. Think of the person who keeps saying they should get out and meet more people in the industry. The new developer on your team. The founder working alone. The colleague who moved here last year and does not know anyone yet. (One guest per attending member, free – must be registered in the same order).

Event Sponsors:

Event Outline:

5.00pm – Member registration opens, networking, drinks and nibbles
5.30pm – Non-member registration opens
6.00pm – Canterbury Tech updates
6.10pm – Quick Pitch
6.15pm – Guest speaker
7.00pm – More networking
7.30pm – Close of event

Things to note:  

• Each attendee will receive 2 drinks tickets for the event. Alcoholic beverages may not leave the function space.
• Members must have a valid membership at the time of booking and on the day of the event. This will be validated at each point and we reserve the right to invoice the event at the full, non-member rate in the event that membership has lapsed.
• Please note that registering for this event will be taken as acceptance that your image, name, or voice may be included in a recording or photos of proceedings that will be published after the event. 
• By registering for a Canterbury Tech event, you are agreeing to abide by our Code of Conduct.