Hardware Meetup NZ: Marine Tech
About this event
Join Hardware Meetup NZ on 9 September 2026 for an exciting evening at the Navico Office in Rosedale, where we will showcase several companies leading the way in Marine Tech innovation!
Did you know that one in 3 kiwis owns a boat? The ocean is vast, and so is their market! This event will feature talks from representatives of well-established as well as up and coming marine tech companies building the future at sea.
A live-stream will be available - you can register to be sent the link prior to the event start-time.
Date and time
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Navico Office, 10-12 Rothwell Avenue, Rosedale
Cost: $20 / $15 students (+ processing fees)
Food: pizza, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
Get your tickets here
Speakers
Speaker 1: Ruan Van Vuren
Ruan van Vuren is the Technical Lead for Hardware Engineering at Navico Group APAC Limited. With more than 23 years of experience in the marine electronics industry, he brings deep expertise in the design and development of innovative electronic products. Beginning a career in microelectronics fabrication and design, he later transitioned into discrete electronics, building extensive experience across a wide range of marine technologies. Passionate about innovation, talent development, and technical excellence, Ruan enjoys mentoring engineers and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, high-performance solutions for challenging real-world applications.
Speaker 2: Gary JolLiffe
Garry's 20-year career as a technical leader spans vessel design, composite structural engineering, and product development across marine, aerospace, and clean-tech sectors. At Vessev, he plays a key role in shaping the company’s engineering direction, from early-stage design to the launch and certification of our electric hydrofoiling technology. Garry previously held senior roles at Gurit, EV Maritime, and Surtees Boats, where he led complex R&D programs. From a multi-generational sailing family, Garry blends deep technical insight with a track record of delivering real-world innovation at scale.
Speaker 3: TBA
MC: Mikayla Stokes
Mikayla Stokes is a mechatronics engineer at Crown Equipment making autonomous forklifts. She loves using tech to make cool wearable things like a light-up dress or 3D printed earrings. She's passionate about creating an inclusive community where any kid can pursue a future in STEM, and is the two time overall female winner of the BrightSparks inventing competition.
Event Sponsors
Lowndes Jordan
Lowndes Jordan is a top niche law firm with corporate, commercial, property, employment, IP and litigation service offerings. The firm acts for a wide range of organisations across the spectrum of maturity from startups through to listed companies/multinationals. Lowndes Jordan has deep expertise in the startup space, having acted for startups, founders, investors and employees of startup companies on a wide range of matters including capital raising (including crowdfunding), ESOPs, shareholders’ agreements and disputes, IP protection and licensing, commercial contracts, US flips, acquisitions and IPOs.
GPC Electronics
GPC Electronics, is Australasia's largest contract electronics manufacturers, specializing in a wide range of sectors including Industrial Controls, Power Electronics, Aerospace, Medical and Defence. GPC Electronics provides comprehensive services from design and prototyping to full-scale production and testing, leveraging advanced technologies to deliver high-quality electronic solutions globally.
Braemac
Braemac is a global leader in the distribution of semiconductor components and electronic systems as well as value-added services. Empowering engineers and developers for over 40 years–Braemac features expert in-house engineers, extensive design-phase support, state-of-the-art distribution, value-add facilities, comprehensive supply chain solutions, and unparalleled customer service. Braemac offers solutions for diverse markets and applications, helping customers streamline development, reduce costs, accelerate time to market, and support long term interoperability.
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Event Alignment: This is an independently run initiative and is not aligned with any one organisation.
Media Permissions: By attending this public event, you grant Hardware Meetup NZ permission to photograph, video record, and audio record the event and to use these photos, videos and recordings in our website and Social Media Channels.
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