Innov8HQ

17/08/2026

Kia ora e te iwi | Greetings everyone 👋

This year marks our 9th year working alongside the University of Otago Business School through our Kōnaki Business accelerator project, and for 2026 we’re doing something a little special.

Our student team is supporting an up-and-coming entrepreneur to help get a pretty cool idea off the ground, focused on making it easier for people to organise and access important medical supplies, especially during the night.

We’re now looking for some real-world feedback to help pressure test the idea and shape what happens next.

If this sounds relevant to you, your whānau or someone you support, we’d love you to take 3–5 minutes to complete the survey.

Every response helps. 🙌

Survey link:

Kia ora! We are a group of students exploring an idea aimed at making it easier for people to organise and access important medical supplies, particularly during the night. We’re gathering feedback to better understand current experiences, challenges and what people would value in a potential solu...

29/07/2026

✨A little look at what’s been happening behind the scenes

Over the past few months, Innov8HQ and Kiwa Digital have been working together across Aotearoa to develop an exciting new series of creative technology workshops for rangatahi aged 11–13 year olds.

Together, we are reimagining storytelling for a fast-changing world of technology - creating spaces where rangatahi can explore their ideas, strengthen their voices and bring their creativity to life in new ways.

This month alone, the kaupapa has travelled from Ōtepoti Dunedin, to Wellington, and yesterday in the Far North, where rangatahi have been sharing some amazing reflections about their experience.

This is only our third workshop, and there are so many more to come. 🌊✨

We are incredibly excited about what is taking shape.

20/07/2026

✨ Ngā mihi nui | Thank You✨

What an incredible two days over this last School Holiday period - it was game changing.

On behalf of Innov8HQ and Kiwa Digital we'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Te Roopu Tautoko Ki Te Tonga for hosting the inaugural Next Wave Creators | Te Ngaru Auaha workshop.

Bringing together 11–13-year-olds from across Otago and Southland, this first-of-its-kind storytelling experience combined traditional creativity with digital technology, giving tamaraki and rangatahi the opportunity to bring their ideas, imagination and stories to life in exciting new ways.

The creativity, confidence and innovation we witnessed over the two days was nothing short of inspiring and bold. Seeing our young people embrace new tools while staying grounded in their own unique perspectives reminded us just how bright the future is.

A very special thank you also goes to Iris Gallagher, whose warmth, encouragement and dedication as our Rangatahi Student Mentor helped create a space where every young person felt welcomed, supported and inspired to give things a go. Your contribution was invaluable, and we are so grateful to have had you alongside us.

To all of the incredible whānau who entrusted us with your tamariki & rangatahi over the two days - thank you. Your support, encouragement and belief in your young people made this experience even more meaningful. It was an absolute privilege to spend time with such an amazing group of future creators, and we hope they returned home feeling proud of what they achieved.

This workshop marks the beginning of something much bigger.

Together, Innov8HQ and Kiwa Digital are proud to be launching more of these workshops to communities across the motu, and later this year supporting community projects across the Tasman. Our vision is to empower young people to tell their stories in ways that are meaningful, authentic and uniquely their own while strengthening creativity, confidence, culture and connection.

If your marae, kura, school, community organisation or youth group would love to host a workshop, we'd love to hear from you. Simply complete the Expression of Interest form below.
https://forms.office.com/r/AQ3eDCbKqm

This is only the beginning, and we can't wait to see this kaupapa inspire communities across Aotearoa and beyond.

Ngā mihi nui,

The teams at Innov8HQ & Kiwa Digital 💙✨

17/07/2026

So thrilled for one of our original Mana Rangatahi graduates & tuakana for this esteemed honour. Massive congratulations Blake Armstrong on this award, well deserved and we have loved watching your journey over the years with many more exciting opportunities to come!!! Ka mau re wehi e hoa 🥳🙌🤩

The Grand Prix winner of Rugby Photographer of the Year 2026

09/07/2026

As we welcome Matariki 2026, we’re reminded of this year’s beautiful theme, Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone.

To us, Herenga Waka speaks to connection - the way people, whānau, communities and kaupapa are tied together through shared journeys, shared purpose and shared hope. It reminds us that every journey matters, every contribution has value, and everyone has a place in the waka.

Matariki is a special time to pause and remember those who have passed, to celebrate the people beside us, and to look ahead with gratitude, courage and intention.

From the whānau of Innov8HQ, we honour this time of reflection, connection and renewal.

Matariki Herenga Waka - For Everyone
A time to gather.
A time to reflect.
A time to move forward together.

Ngā mihi o Matariki ki a koutou katoa ✨

Arohanui - Heidi, Deb and Mananui
(our Chief of People Pleasing & Human Connections Kuri 🐾🤩🥳❤️)

25/06/2026

Parents | Whānau, the school holidays are coming in hot 🔥

We’ve just had an extra spot open up for our Next Wave Creators workshop.

This is for 11–13 year olds who love to imagine, create, kōrero, dream up stories, share ideas, or simply try something new.

No need to be “techy” - this is all about creativity first.

For the first time ever, across 2 days, young people will explore how storytelling, imagination and youth voice can help shape the way technology is made with young people, not just for them.

So if your young person has big ideas, funny ideas, wild ideas, quiet ideas, or “I don’t know yet” ideas - this is their space.

Details below to register - we'd love to welcome them 🥳☺️ click here for more info.....https://www.innov8hq.com/next-wave-creators

Calling all whānau and friends - the next wave is coming.

An Exclusive 2-Day Tech & Digital Storytelling Wānanga for 11–13 Year Olds

Next Wave Creators | Te Ngaru Auaha is powered by Kiwa Digital in partnership with Innov8HQ, bringing global digital capability into local communities.

Together, we’re creating hands-on opportunities for rangatahi to explore technology, creativity, digital storytelling and future career pathways.

Global tech. Local talent. Future creators.

We are currently taking expressions of interest now - https://www.innov8hq.com/next-wave-creators 😊👌🏾

10/06/2026

A big thank you to Whakatipu Youth Trust for letting us use their space for our Mana Rangatahi workshop over the weekend! 🙌

We really appreciate you opening your doors for us - it made for a great day. Ngā mihi! 💛

20/05/2026

Calling all whānau and friends - the next wave is coming.

An Exclusive 2-Day Tech & Digital Storytelling Wānanga for 11–13 Year Olds

Next Wave Creators | Te Ngaru Auaha is powered by Kiwa Digital in partnership with Innov8HQ, bringing global digital capability into local communities.

Together, we’re creating hands-on opportunities for rangatahi to explore technology, creativity, digital storytelling and future career pathways.

Global tech. Local talent. Future creators.

We are currently taking expressions of interest now - https://www.innov8hq.com/next-wave-creators 😊👌🏾

18/05/2026

The next wave is coming.

An Exclusive 2-Day Tech & Digital Storytelling Wānanga for 11–13 Year Olds

Next Wave Creators | Te Ngaru Auaha is powered by Kiwa Digital in partnership with Innov8HQ, bringing global digital capability into local communities.

Together, we’re creating hands-on opportunities for rangatahi to explore technology, creativity, digital storytelling and future career pathways.

Global tech. Local talent. Future creators.

We are currently taking expressions of interest now - register below
https://www.innov8hq.com/next-wave-creators

10/05/2026

So hard to believe this year marks 10 years since I first opened the doors of INNOV8HQ.

What started as a courageous little dream in Ōtepoti has grown into one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime, (adding a few extra layers of silver to the hairstyle too) - but it's all been worth it.

Which is why I am seriously excited to step into this next chapter with someone I know, trust, and think is pretty damn "choice".

From the end of May, I’ll be welcoming Deb Renata-Gallon into the INNOV8HQ whānau as our Director, Community Partnerships | Kaiwhakahaere Tūhono Hapori.

Deb brings a vivacious G.S.D energy to everything she does. With over 20 years’ experience across business, education, health, youth, and community partnerships, she is a natural connector and possibly wee charmer too.

As INNOV8HQ steps into some seriously exciting new tech projects across Aotearoa and beyond, Deb will be working alongside me to strengthen our community partnerships both here and internationally.

This next chapter is about creating more pathways for rangatahi and communities to access world-leading technology and future-focused projects, while making sure they feel connected, included, and part of the success story from the very beginning.

Please join me in welcoming Deb to the INNOV8HQ whānau. I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead.

Mauri ora.