Welcome to Women in Data Science New Zealand 2026

Programme (tentative version)

Opening

2:00 PM

Welcome & Safety Briefing (5 min)

Ivy Liu — Victoria University of Wellington

2:05 PM

Karakia (5 min)

Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

2:10 PM

Opening Keynote (15 min)

Kate Kolich — WiDS New Zealand Co-Chair

Session 1 — Research & Technology

2:25 PM

Centre for Data Science and AI ⚡ Lightning Talk (10 min)

Bing Xue — Victoria University of Wellington

2:35 PM

Disability Research & Data (15 min)

Tori Van Loenhout — Nicholson Consulting

2:50 PM

Explainable AI (15 min)

Emily O'Riordan — Victoria University of Wellington

3:05 PM

Data Nirvana (15 min)

Jocelyn Cranefield — Victoria University of Wellington

3:20 PM

School of Information Management: Programme Highlights ⚡ Lightning Talk (10 min)

Maja Krtalic — Victoria University of Wellington

3:30 PM

Break

Session 2 — Data, People & Place

3:40 PM

Pacifica Data (15 min)

Tracey Savelio — Inati Labs

3:55 PM

AI Assembly: New Zealanders' Attitudes to AI (15 min)

Amelia Bentley — AI Assembly

4:10 PM

What if she counts (15 min)

Lynn Melrose — Taumata Arowai - Water Services Authority

4:25 PM

Wellington Uni Professional ⚡ Lightning Talk (10 min)

TBA

4:35 PM

New Zealand Statistical Association (10 min)

Lisa Thomasen — New Zealand Statistical Association

4:45 PM

Charting Your Path: Careers and Growth in the Data Industry (40 min)

Facilitated by TBA

Panellists:

Kayla Hegedus — Contact Energy

Lisa Thomasen — New Zealand Statistical Association

Mary Ellen Gordon — Wellington Uni Professional

What does it really take to build a fulfilling career in data? From landing your first role to navigating the leap into leadership, our panellists share candid insights on the skills that matter, the missteps that teach the most, and the communities that keep you going. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this conversation offers practical wisdom and honest perspectives from women who have charted their own paths through the data industry.

5:25 PM

Break

Women in Data Science Scholarship Awards

5:35 PM

Scholarship Awards Ceremony (15 min)

Presented by Kate Kolich (WiDS Co-Chair) & Ivy Liu (Victoria University of Wellington)

Celebrating excellence and potential in the next generation of data science talent. We are delighted to award scholarships to:

Three Undergraduate Scholarships

One Postgraduate Scholarship

Session 3 — AI Is Here Now: What Does This Mean for Us?

5:50 PM

Internship in Data Science: A Student's Perspective (10 min)

Holly Masters — 3rd Year Data Science Student

6:00 PM

Agentic AI mission to China — student edition (15 min)

Ernestynne Walsh — Te Taumata

6:15 PM

Panel: AI Is Here Now — What Does This Mean for Us? (40 min)

Facilitated by Neha Arankumar

Panellists:

Madeline Newman — AI Forum NZ

Emily Mason — Frank Advice

Laurie Hyde — Fusion5

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future-state conversation — it is reshaping New Zealand businesses right now. This panel brings together practitioners and advocates at the forefront of AI adoption to explore what the technology really means for local organisations: the opportunities it unlocks, the risks it introduces, and the decisions business leaders need to make today. Expect a frank and grounded discussion on navigating AI with confidence, responsibility, and a distinctly Aotearoa perspective.

Closing

6:55 PM

Closing Remarks & Networking (until 7:30 PM)

Kate Kolich — WiDS New Zealand Co-Chair