Rise by Talent

At Rise we ensure our graduates who come through our programs are equipped with knowledge and the know how, to utilise AI for their future of work. While we didn’t take home the trophy last night at the Aotearoa A.I. awards. It was amazing to see the innovation and deployment of AI across industry and education. Massive validation that our people are prepped and ready to be immersed into the workforce. We partnered with Avec to ensure we had the latest AI literacy training, but also our students were able to get real time experience running their own AI business case studies and presenting this to industry. A big congrats to Kiwa Digital for taking home the trophy and all the other finalists and winners. Also a huge thank you to Country manager Kara Smith and Shweta Chopra from Talent who joined us for an amazing evening. AI Forum NZ

At Rise we ensure our graduates who come through our programs are equipped with knowledge and the know how, to utilise AI for their future of work. While we didn’t take home the trophy last night at the Aotearoa A.I. awards. It was amazing to see the innovation and deployment of AI across industry and education. Massive validation that our people are prepped and ready to be immersed into the workforce. We partnered with Avec to ensure we had the latest AI literacy training, but also our students were able to get real time experience running their own AI business case studies and presenting this to industry. A big congrats to Kiwa Digital for taking home the trophy and all the other finalists and winners. Also a huge thank you to Country manager Kara Smith and Shweta Chopra from Talent who joined us for an amazing evening. AI Forum NZ

Rise by Talent takes home "Community Initiative of the Year" at TUANZ membership awards in Tāmaki Makaurau. Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. We support our rangatahi with the skills and experience while we ensure industry has access to difference of thought, through diverse entry tech talent. For us this is important to ensure we are doing our part in building an equitable Aotearoa. A big thanks to our founding partner Talent for always continuing to enable us to push the barriers for our rangatahi. 🔥 Kara Smith Shanelle Partridge

🏆 Proud moment! Thrilled to share that Rise by Talent has been named a finalist at the Aotearoa AI Awards 2025 for Te Ao Māori & Pasifika AI, recognising culturally grounded and community-driven AI innovation. This one means a lot, it’s about breaking barriers, creating access, and building a tech future that’s inclusive for all in Aotearoa. Big thanks to everyone who’s backed RISE. The journey’s only just getting started. 🚀

We’re incredibly proud that Rise by Talent has been named a finalist in the TUANZ 2025 Member Awards for Community Initiative of the Year. 🌟   This recognition is all about the impact of our work breaking digital barriers for rangatahi, helping young people access the opportunities, skills, and pathways they deserve in tech.   A huge thank you to everyone who has backed RISE and believed in this mission. 💜

🌟 "You cant be what you cant see" - Marian Wright Edelman 🌟 A couple of nights ago, at the New Zealand CIO Summit & Awards, we didn’t walk away with the trophy, but we walked away with something far more important. We got to bring our rangatahi into the room. Into a space where they could see and feel what’s possible. Into conversations with some of the most influential leaders in tech. Allowing them to create and craft a vision for their own careers. Opportunities like this truly shape futures. Every handshake, every story shared, every moment of being seen, it all plants seeds that will grow into the next generation of Māori and Pasifika tech leaders. A huge congratulations to the winners Digital Future Aotearoa, 'The Community Tech Champs' and Elle Archer for taking home 'Outstanding Contribution to Tech and Business.' Also a big thank you to Brightstar and New Zealand CIO Summit & Awards for allowing our team to be apart of the journey and thank you to Renee H. from Milford and Jamaine Naicker from Watercare Services Limited for joining us for an incredible evening. Ngā mihi nui Renee H. | Shweta Chopra | JP Browne | Josh Soole | Te Iringa Dawson | Shanelle Partridge | Kara Smith | Jamaine Naicker | Elle Archer |

What a way to start the week! 🙌 We are officially a finalist for the Community Tech Champions award at the New Zealand CIO Summit & Awards This recognition celebrates our mission to make tech accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all in Aotearoa. Massive congrats to the other incredible finalists in our category and goodluck!

It truly does take a village to help nurture our rangatahi! A big thank you to the team at Ventia who played a meaningful part in supporting our Indigitech program here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Ventia not only opened up their whare giving our rangatahi a safe space to support their transition into the corporate space, but gave us our own office space for a whole month to workshop. All while providing endless coffee and breakfast on a daily basis. Its the small things like a hot chocolate every day that truly go along way for our young people. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, we literally could have not done it without you! Caroline Haku Damian Pedreschi Fhaye Isleta

We’re still riding the high from Friday night! Talent RISE was awarded Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards 🏆 This award recognises the work we do every day to empower young people into meaningful careers and we couldn’t be prouder. If you’re an organisation who wants to empower Aotearoa’s next generation of tech leaders, reach out here: https://lnkd.in/gpSwKF2k

Before we wrap up youth and tech week, we would like to put the spotlight on one of our future leaders 💪 Today, we want to spotlight a remarkable tāne whose journey embodies the strength and mana of Ngāpuhi — Te Iringa. Originally from Te Tai Tokerau, but now residing in Tāmaki, Te Iringa has... 📝 A proactive approach and a passion for organizing and repetition. 🟣 Excelled and completed an 8-week tech career launchpad hosted by MISSION READY. ⚡ Recently completed an AI case study, analyzing the energy sector, producing reports on Power BI, and presenting all findings to tech leads at Auckland Council and Auckland University of Technology and Avec. 👨💼 Just completed a 2-week internship provided by Talent polishing off his skills on how to operate and be in a corporate sales environment including on the phone communication ringing contractors. 🤝 Support the Future of Tech Te Iringa represents the next generation of tech leaders. If you're in a position to offer an entry-level role or mentorship, lets kōrero! Engaging with and supporting young talents like Te Iringa is crucial for fostering a diverse and innovative tech community.