NZIX was once again a proud Gold Sponsor of the annual NZNOG conference, and this year the NOG community descended on the Garden City of Ōtautahi Christchurch for what turned out to be the biggest conference yet.
NZIX was also delighted to once again support the IAASysters NZ program as a Bronze Sponsor as it returned for its second year. The initiative, backed by the Internet Association of Australia (IAA) and NZNOG, supports women in the internet industry through a one-day workshop focused on expert career advice and the soft skills essential for career advancement. The IAASysters NZ Workshop preceded the main NZNOG conference, with participants then joining the broader event. It was a fantastic way to hit the ground running.
The official welcome drinks were held at Micky Finn’s, where the conversations flowed as freely as the drinks. It was a warm and lively start to the conference, with familiar faces and new ones settling into the NZNOG spirit.
Thursday morning kicked off the conference proper and the NZIX team had our signature purple stand primed and ready. This year we went all out on the giveaways! We handed out over 150 hoodies . . . have you cracked the code on the back? We also had Bellroy laptop cases, playing cards, console cables, socks, commemorative coins, and pins. Safe to say, the hoodies were the talk of the conference floor! It was wonderful to connect with our members, suppliers, and the broader attendee community throughout both days.
Day one featured a strong lineup of presentations, with our very own Aaron Chidiac delivering the only IX update of the conference. With a record 260 attendees this was the largest NZNOG to date and the energy in the room was something else entirely.
The conference dinner saw us bused out to the stunning Air Force Museum of New Zealand. It provided a truly unique backdrop for the delicious 3 course meal, with aircraft overhead and great company all around.
Day two was another full day of thought-provoking presentations and concluded following a series of lightning talks, leaving attendees with a choice of post-NOG adventures. Some took to the skies (virtually) at the Jetex Flight Simulator, while others opted for a scenic evening aboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant – a charming way to see the city and wind down after two full days.
NZNOG 2026 was an outstanding success by every measure: record attendance, a fantastic venue, and the kind of community spirit that makes this event one of the highlights of the year. If the NOG will have us, we’ll see you all back in 2027!
