Wellington, New Zealand | 5–8 May 2026
The Smart Cities Council (SCC) has confirmed further details for Smart Cities Week NZ 2026, including a limited 20% Early Bird offer and the announcement of the first group of speakers contributing to the programme.
Taking place in Wellington from 5–8 May, the event is designed as a working, outcome-focused programme—bringing together local government, infrastructure leaders, and industry partners to address the practical challenges of delivering smarter, more resilient communities.
Early Bird Offer Now Available
Registrations are now open, with a 20% Early Bird offer available until 13 April 2026.
Participants can use code EARLYBIRD at checkout to secure the discounted rate.
This provides an opportunity to engage early in a programme focused on practical delivery and real-world outcomes.
First Speakers Announced
The initial speaker line-up reflects a strong cross-section of local government and sector leadership, with a focus on practical delivery experience and lessons relevant to the New Zealand context.
Confirmed speakers include:
Grace de Leon
Smart City and Innovation Manager, Christchurch City Council
Funding, Procurement and Pathways to Scale
Exploring how projects can be scoped, funded, procured, and expanded in constrained environments, with a focus on workable delivery pathways.
Mike Manson
CEO, ALGIM
International Lessons for New Zealand Places
Sharing practical insights from international cities and regions that can be adapted to strengthen delivery, resilience, and collaboration.
Duncan Blair
Technology Strategy and Enterprise Architecture Manager, Invercargill City Council
Resilient Operations and Emergency Readiness
Addressing how councils and partner agencies can strengthen coordination, situational awareness, and operational readiness.
Julia McMaster
Manager Data & Innovation, Wellington City Council
Designing and Delivering Place-Based Projects
Providing practical lessons on governance, sequencing, ownership, and delivery models across infrastructure and community outcomes.
Mark Thomas
Managing Director, Serviceworks | Regional Lead NZ, Smart Cities Council
Programme Chair
A Programme Focused on Delivery
Smart Cities Week NZ 2026 is positioned as a practical working programme, rather than a traditional conference.
The programme is designed to support participants to:
- improve delivery of smart city initiatives
- reduce duplication and reuse proven approaches
- strengthen coordination across councils and partners
- prioritise investment to scale impact
Sessions will focus on real-world challenges, lessons learned, and practical next steps, supporting participants to apply insights within their own organisations and projects.
Opportunities to Partner
SCC is working with a select group of partners to support the delivery of the programme.
Partner organisations have the opportunity to:
- contribute to programme content and discussions
- showcase capability and case studies
- engage directly with councils and delivery stakeholders
Organisations interested in participating as partners are encouraged to connect with the SCC team.
Event Details and Registration
Wellington, New Zealand
5–8 May 2026
Participants can now register and secure early access to the programme.
https://events.smartcitiescouncil.com/2026SmartCitiesWeekNZ
Contact
For further information, participation, or partnership opportunities:
Contact Mark Thomas, Regional Lead - NZ mark.thomas@smartcitiescouncil.com
OR
Contact Karen Norden, Global Events Manager karen.norden@smartcitiescouncil.com
Smart Cities Council is a global network of cities, governments, technology leaders, investors, and solution providers dedicated to enabling city and community transformation through governance, finance, technology, and partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.
For more information on Smart Cities Council programs:
