Date: 19-21 September 2025
Venue: Te Wānanga o Raukawa, 41 Te Rauparaha Street, Ōtaki
Got an idea that’s been sitting on the shelf? Or a challenge your whānau or community is ready to tackle?
Startup Weekend Ōtaki is back for its second year — a fast-paced, 54-hour sprint where you’ll learn to think, build, and collaborate like a startup. Whether you’re dreaming up a business, launching a kaupapa Māori initiative, or just curious about what it takes to get something off the ground, this weekend is for you.
Join a mix of creatives, techies, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers. With guidance from experienced mentors and support from a like-minded crew, you’ll take your idea from spark to startup — or at least give it one heck of a jump start.
Frequently Asked Questions
To view our FAQ's, please click here.
Terms of Participation Agreement
Our goal is to give you an inspiring, hands-on learning and networking experience. Over the course of the weekend, we hope you’ll meet incredible people—potential co-founders, collaborators, and mentors—and gain insights and skills that will help you take your ideas to the next level. This event is designed to be a collaborative, inclusive space for sharing, learning, building, and having fun.
By registering, you acknowledge that any ideas shared—by you or others—are considered part of the overall experience and community. If you have concerns about protecting your idea, you’re welcome to share just a broad outline without giving away key details.
As a member of this community, you agree to be inclusive and respectful of all people and their ideas. You also agree to act professionally, care for the space and resources provided, and take responsibility for any damage or accidents you may cause. The organisers and supporters of the event are not liable for any loss, injury, or other unforeseen incident.
Photos and videos may be taken during the weekend and used in future promotional materials to help grow this initiative and support more events like this one.
For any questions or to request a refund, contact us at startupweekendotaki@twor-otaki.ac.nz
Ōtaki Mentors
Our Mentors are with you every step of the way to help guide you along the journey throughout the 54-hour sprint. Each with their own strengths and strong in their field of expertise. Check who our Mentors are down below....
Attend as a whānau, marae committee or other rōpu
In 2025 we're allowing a limited number of pre-existing groups take part, focusing on an issue or idea they all care about. This might be a whānau, working through a business idea, a marae committee working on a plan to share resources between various hapū, a group of rangatahi or something else.
If you have a group of 3-5 people who can already work together, you're welcome to come as a team, just let us know on the registration form.
It's not just for tech, and not just about making money
No. Startup Weekend is an opportunity to bring an idea to life, ideally it will be able to pay for itself, so it's important to work through how the money will work.
Here are some examples of problems and solutions that people have taken through Startup Weekend Otaki:
The problem: Emergency grab-bags are great for some of us, but in an evacuation situation, our kaumātua struggle to put them on and walk while wearing them, especially in the panic of an emergency.
The solution: Evacuation Jackets for kaumātua - think grab-bags built and designed for our elderly, with everything they need in an emergency situation, in an easy-to-wear and access jacket.
The problem: Many of our streets in Otaki are named after tūpuna with amazing and inspiring stories. Many of us don't know those stories.
The solution: Stories attached digitally to our street names so anybody can learn about the stories and history of our town and those who were here before us.
An idea we talk to another Startup Weekend (Tairāwhiti)
The problem: Many of us grow up without a good understanding of how to work with money. Our financial literacy is often lacking.
The solution: A financial-literacy board-game in te reo Māori.
Jashon Brown
Game & Software Development
Software engineer turned game developer and currently spending most of my time on our studios first game. Grew up in Kāpiti attending Kapanui School then Paraparaumu College and now living in Te Horo.
Nedra Fu
Nedra Fu is the General Manager of the School of Innovation at Creative HQ in Wellington, New Zealand. The School of Innovation offers immersive learning experiences to support organisations and individuals to build their capability, connections and confidence to innovate. Prior to joining Creative HQ, Nedra has work and voluntary experience across government sectors, educational institutions, NGOs and social enterprises in New Zealand and internationally.
Nedra thrives in Innovation training, facilitation and snap.
Kaye Maree Dunn
Kaye-Maree Dunn, co-founder of Making Everything Achievable, is a renowned Māori tech entrepreneur. Leading Ahau NZ and Indigital Blockchain, she's involved with North Hokianga Development Trust and Āhau Tātai Hono Trust and is a Sir Edmond Hillary Fellow. Dedicated to Māori and community development for over 24 years, her roles span Child, Youth, and Family, The Department of Labour, Māori Land Court, and NZ Maori Tourism. Active in Te Whare Hukahuka, she uplifts transformative capabilities in New Zealand's economic landscape. Recognised as Māori Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023, her recent pursuits include Social Enterprise Development and Governance Training.
Kaye Maree’s strengths lay in bringing people together / relationship building, inclusive and holistic systems thinking, visionary leadership in indigenous innovation, technology & social enterprise expert, cultural empowerment.
Sam Minnee
