International SaaS Day + Techweek26
TL;DR: International SaaS Day Wellington party tickets are live, AI is moving from ‘feature’ to ‘whole-of-business’ advantage and Techweek26 is next week. We’ve pulled the unmissable sessions (plus free rego codes) so you don’t have to scroll the programme.
Techweek26 is nearly here, and May is shaping up as one of those months where it’s worth lifting your head up: great people in town, big conversations happening, and plenty of practical ways to sharpen your thinking (and your plans) for what’s next.
Supercharging Emerging Leaders is back for a second round. The first cohort feedback says it best: “We’ve just joined KiwiSaaS, and in one session with Emerging Engines, we have got our value back already. Bloody brilliant!”
KiwiSaaS Christchurch Autumn Drinks
Christchurch SaaS crew — let’s catch up. Join us for a relaxed afternoon of drinks and networking with local SaaS founders, operators and supporters. No agenda, no slides — just good conversations, a few new connections, and a chance to keep the momentum going through winter.
Thursday 4 June | 4:00pm-7:00pm | Christchurch
CEOs & founders talk SaaSpocalypse - Auckland
Join a small, private discussion of CEOs and founders from large ($5m+ ARR) KiwiSaaS member companies. Hear perspectives from Serge van Dam, Darrin Grafton (Serko) and Mark Clare (Clare Capital). Compare notes on risk, moats, valuations and stakeholder comms.
Tuesday 9 June | 1:00-4:00pm | Auckland
Supercharging emerging leaders in tech
Emerging leaders, this one’s for you: join our private in-person workshop with Gabrielle Cutfield to uncover your leadership superpowers using an AI-powered feedback + DiSC profile, then practise real scenarios so you leave with coaching tools you can use immediately, a simple habit-building plan, and a peer network of like-minded leaders. Registrations close 31 May.
Wednesday 17 June | 9:00am-1:00pm | Auckland
Let’s talk SaaSpocalypse - Wellington
The SaaSpocalypse is here — but what does it mean for local SaaS companies? Join a friendly, private roundtable for SaaS leaders, facilitated by Serge van Dam and David Clearwater (KiwiSaaS), with shares from local SaaS leaders. Compare notes on risk across business models, where moats and opportunities are emerging, what’s happening in valuations (capital raising + M&A), and how we’re talking about all of this with teams, boards, customers, and other stakeholders.
Thursday 18 June | 2:00pm-4:00pm | Wellington
International SaaS Day party 2026
We’re getting the band back together for International SaaS Day (which we invented back in 2023, you’re welcome). Expect a proper party: food, drinks, DJ, excellent humans and epic entertainment. Real parties are hard to find… so we’re pulling out all the stops for this one.
Possibly related: Can you sing? Do you fancy yourself as a comedian? Let Serge or I know.
Thursday 18 June | 5:00pm-2:00am | Foxglove Bar, Wellington | Cost: $30
Dress code: Something interesting. Please.
Next week: TechTuesday - Christchurch
Techweek26 is next week and TechTuesday is your chance to get a sharp hit of software learnings and meet great people in the Christchurch ecosystem. Hear from Dan Fowlie (AirClerk) on building AI-native from day one, David Carter (Stratos/OneLaw/Docxedo) on pressure-testing product ideas, plus Tim Bullen (Canterbury Seismic) and Lucy Pink (Contented), followed by panel Q&A and networking with drinks and nibbles.
Tuesday 19 May | 4:30-7:30pm | TSB Space, Tūranga (Christchurch Central Library)
From lagging to leading in rolling out AI
Most SaaS companies have started using AI in product and engineering. But the bigger, messier challenge is what happens across the rest of the business.
Nick Steevens (CFO + VP Shared Services at DataTorque) put it perfectly when he described seeing a much larger category leader’s’ suite of tools: “It was a bit of an oh **** moment for us. We saw how far we were behind the leaders in this space and knew we had to move.”
Operationalising AI for business teams
This in-person workshop focuses on making AI work across finance, marketing and people teams in ways that create real value (not just noise). You’ll hear candid, experience-led insights from Simon Young (Serko), Nick Steevens (DataTorque) and JD Trask (Autohive & Raygun).
Wednesday 20 May | 9:00am–12:30pm | Plexure, Auckland
Redesigning SaaS organisations for the age of AI
AI is reshaping how SaaS teams are built and run — roles, operating models, and decision-making included. Join organisational design expert Ken Brophy (AlignOrg & K3) for a practical, half-day workshop to map the changes, share learnings with peers, and leave with clear actions to apply in your business.
Wednesday 10 June | 9:00am-12.30pm | Auckland
Lower your R&D bill: tap into the 15% RDTI tax credit
Lower your R&D costs with the Government’s Research & Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) — a 15% tax credit for eligible R&D spend. It can cover incremental SaaS and digital work that goes beyond existing knowledge, like new/improved algorithms (predictive modelling, large datasets) or system architecture improvements to meet performance goals within constraints.
Most businesses apply via General Approval. If you have a March balance date, the deadline is 30 June 2026. MBIE’s RDTI Customer Engagement Team offers free, tailored, confidential support: https://www.rdti.govt.nz/we-provide-free-tailored-support or email rdtihelp@mbie.govt.nz.
Now hiring: fresh roles at KiwiSaaS companies
Currently, there’s four open jobs at AoFrio, 10 at EROAD, 12 roles at Tracksuit, two at Kindo and 13 at Kami (Auckland and remote).
From our resource library
Stop burning cash in 2026 by fixing the RevOps foundations that cause unpredictable growth — with practical lessons from AllDemand and Comply Pro. Watch the full discussion and key highlights.
Techweek26 top pics + free rego codes
The programme is stacked, so we’ve pulled out the unmissable sessions. If you’re building SaaS from Aotearoa, it’s a great excuse to get out of Slack for a minute — learn what’s working, meet good people, and bring a couple of useful ideas back to the business:
The New Possible — propelling growth with AI (Auckland)
Monday 18 May | 10:30am–12:00pm | Techweek Hub @ Pipiri Lane, Auckland
Free ticket code: TW26TNZMEMBER
Register →
The Intelligence Era: Pricing AI for Growth (Auckland)
Monday 18 May | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Techweek Hub @Pipiri Lane, Auckland
Bonus: Followed by Techweek networking evening Kōtahi Connect: AI Edition (also supported by Stripe). Stick around for a yarn.Free ticket code: TW26TNZMEMBER (attend both sessions free)
Register →
Movac Growth Jam — Epic Fails Edition (Wellington)
Thursday 21 May | 2:00pm–6:30pm (networking 5:00pm–6:30pm) | Public Trust Hall, 131–135 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Register →
If you make it along to anything great or have something else you reckon should be on the community radar, tell us and we’ll share the best bits.
Ngā mihi nui,
David Clearwater
Executive Director, KiwiSaaS