The Auckland Local Network is led by local volunteers who come together to organise lectures and technical visits that provide opportunities to learn and meet new people. All events are open to the public and most are free of charge.
The Local Network aims to raise awareness of science, engineering and technology in the local area, and promote membership of the IET.
Visit the events page filtered by Auckland Local Network to find out about our upcoming events.
Contact us: Auckland@ietvolunteer.org
Our committees:
Chair/IPRA: Mr Warren McLuckie
Vice Chair: Mr Andy Peacock
Honorary Treasurer: Mr George Arulanantham
Committee Member: Mr Frank Lewis
Committee Member: Mr Brian Chu
YPS representative: Mr. Timothy O'Brien
Recent Updates
Date: 12/11/2024
IET Auckland Hosts Successful 'Project X' Workshop for Avondale College’
In its ongoing commitment to fostering educational opportunities, the IET Auckland Network successfully hosted its third annual 'Project X' electronics workshop at Avondale College on November 12, 2024. This initiative is part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists in New Zealand.
The event received high praise from Eleanor Batley, Teacher of Technology, as well as from staff, parents, and students. Feedback from the students highlighted the impact of the workshop on their learning and future aspirations. James, a participant, shared, “I already had prior knowledge in programming and coding, yet this workshop helped me extend that knowledge and I am now walking away with a more understanding. I really had a great time and thank for hosting this event.” Ana, another student, commented, “I really enjoyed today’s session. I am now considering being an engineer in the future.”
The one-day workshop was made possible by the dedicated contributions of IET Auckland committee members, local community leaders, and volunteers. Under the leadership of Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan, the project benefitted from hands-on support from Frank Lewis, the initiator of Project X 12 years ago, as well as Peter Selwyn, Metui Talilotu Kohulan Thirunavukarasu, Brain Chu and Anne George, each of whom played a vital role throughout the day.
Industry support was also crucial to the success of the workshop. Alstef Group provided financial backing, while the New Zealand Defence Force contributed engineer Metui Talilotu for the day’s activities.
The 'Project X' workshop, tailored for intermediate school students, was designed to offer participants a hands-on experience in electronics. Each student had the unique opportunity to build their own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a circuit board. The workshop focused on teaching students how to identify various electronic components, solder effectively, and program microchips—skills that are fundamental to modern engineering and technology.
As 'Project X' continues to grow, the IET Auckland Network remains committed to inspiring young minds and equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving fields of engineering and technology.
Date: 28/08/2024
IET Auckland Hosts Successful 'Project X' Workshop for Waikowhai Intermediate School
In a continued effort to advance educational opportunities, the IET Auckland Network successfully hosted its second annual 'Project X' electronics workshop at Waikowhai Intermediate School on August 28, 2024. This initiative is part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists in New Zealand.
The 'Project X' workshop, tailored for intermediate school students, was met with enthusiastic participation. Each student had the unique opportunity to build their own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a circuit board. The workshop focused on teaching students how to identify various electronic components and master the art of soldering and programming microchips.
The event received high praise from teaching principal David King, as well as from staff, parents, and students.
The one-day workshop was made possible by the significant contributions of IET Auckland committee members, local community leaders, and volunteers. Led by Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan, the project received hands-on assistance from Anne George, Armand Duquet, Clive Jordan, Kohulan Thirunavukarasu, Metui Talilotu, and Peter Selwyn, all of whom played crucial roles throughout the day.
The initiative was further supported by industry partners, including Alstef Group, which provided financial support and engineer Armand Duquet, and the New Zealand Defence Force, which contributed engineer Metui Talilotu for the day.
As 'Project X' continues to expand, the IET Auckland Network remains steadfast in its mission to inspire young minds and equip them with the essential skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving fields of engineering and technology.
Date: 22/06/2024
IET Auckland Hosts Successful 'Project X' Workshop for Tamil Community School
In a remarkable display of community spirit and educational advancement, the IET Auckland Network held its 'Project X' electronics workshop for the children of the Tamil Community on June 22 for the fourth year. This initiative is part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) commitment to fostering the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists in New Zealand.
The 'Project X' workshop, designed to impart basic electronics skills to intermediate school children, saw enthusiastic participation. Each child had the opportunity to construct their own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a circuit board. The workshop aimed to teach the identification of various electronic components and the intricate art of soldering.
The event was greatly appreciated by teaching staff, parents, and students alike. One of the parents Dr Vaitheki Sanjee, commented “I wanted to thank you for allowing my daughter, Mayura, to attend the IET workshop. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained valuable insights from it. The workshop was well-organized, informative, and she appreciated the opportunity to learn and get to know more about engineering. She mentioned that she especially enjoyed working with the soldering iron for the first time. It's great to see the engineers volunteer their time to help to future generation.”
The one-day workshop saw significant contributions from IET Auckland committee members, local community leaders, and volunteers. Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan, who led the project, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming industry support. He was joined by Anne George, Anvesh Lagow, Boomin Perera, Brian Chu, Clive Jordan, Max Ramachchandran, Mauro Resta, Peter Selwyn, and Sanjee Mahadeva, who all provided hands-on assistance throughout the day. Additionally, Jenny, a volunteer teacher, offered her invaluable support.
Parents of participating children voiced their appreciation for the initiative, noting the positive impact such educational programs have on their children's interest in STEM fields. The Tamil Community School event stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between educational institutions, industry professionals, and community organizations.
As 'Project X' continues to grow, the IET Auckland Network remains dedicated to inspiring young minds and equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in the ever-evolving fields of engineering and technology.
Date: 22/06/2024
Exciting Milestone for Project X: Inspiring the Engineers of Tomorrow
Since its launch in 2011, Project X, an initiative by the IET Auckland Local Network, has been dedicated to introducing intermediate school students to the fascinating world of electronics. Through hands-on experience in assembling electronic circuit boards in the form of robots, the project aims to foster technical awareness and inspire the next generation of engineers. To date, Project X has positively impacted the lives of over 2200 students.
In a notable milestone, the IET Auckland Local Network organized the first Project X specifically for Poonga (Tamil Community Education), a group supporting refugee and migrant communities, in April 2021. The program's impact was evident when three students from this group were admitted to the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland at the beginning of this year.
Continuing this inspiring tradition, the IET Auckland Local Network is excited to announce the 4th annual Project X event for Poonga, scheduled for June 22, 2024. This ongoing collaboration underscores the commitment to providing valuable educational opportunities and nurturing future engineering talent within the community.
Date: 22/11/2023
Project X – Avondale College
IET Auckland provided a one-day ‘Project X’ electronics workshop to the children of Avondale College, Auckland, on November 22, 2023. The event was greatly appreciated by teaching staff, parents, and students.
Eleanor Batley, the Teacher of Technology at Avondale College, commented: “Thank you so much to Shankar for leading the session. He is a natural teacher, and the day was beautifully coordinated and efficiently set up. It continues to be a pleasure to have these IET sessions. Many students have benefited from them over the years, since Frank first brought this project to my old school, Takapuna Normal Intermediate. I appreciate the time, effort, and cost to individuals and their employers that goes into making it happen. The [free] opportunity that you are providing to our students at these events, particularly those who might not be able to attend otherwise, is so valuable. The many kind individuals who tutored the kids over the years have undoubtedly sparked an interest in pursuing a career in engineering that might otherwise have been overlooked.”
IET Auckland received amazing industry support from local engineer Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan, who led the project, and Alstef Group (Glidepath Limited), which provided Engineers Pranav Patel and Ditto Davis. In addition to industry support, we were delighted to receive help from IET members Frank Lewis, Lawrence Buxton, Opata Padmasiri, and Anne Uma George.
As part of the IET’s commitment to supporting the next generation of New Zealand’s engineers, scientists, and technologists, the IET Auckland Network funds a number of ‘Project X’ electronics workshops each year to teach basic electronics skills to intermediate-age school children.
Project X allows each child to construct their very own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a pre-made circuit board. Each child learns to identify each component that makes up their robot, along with learning the art of soldering."
Date: 19/10/2023
Auckland University School of Engineering - Part-4 Project Awards
The Auckland Network sponsored and judged the Auckland Uni Part 4 projects at Engineering at the University of Auckland yesterday. This half day event was supported by Warren McLuckie, the Chair of IET Auckland Network and and Reginald Nair, judged the Games & Education Aids section with the overall event attended by 150 students and participants.
Always interesting to see what the next generation of Electrical, Computer Systems and Software Engineers are up learning. Congrats to the winners of the category Alex Liang & Jared Daniel Recomendable!
Date: 12/09/2023
Project X – Waikowhai Intermediate School
IET Auckland provided a one-day ‘Project X’ electronics workshop to the children of Waikowhai Intermediate School, Auckland. The event was greatly appreciated by the teaching staff, parents, and students. Principal David King commented “It was a great day and the students I spoke to were very happy. Thank you for your time, and that of your team, really appreciated”.
IET Auckland received an amazing level of industry support from local engineers Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan who led the project and Peter Selwyn, Clive Jordan, Brain Chu, Anvesh Chavvakula and Anne George.
As part of the IET’s commitment to supporting the next generation of New Zealand’s engineers, scientists, and technologists, the IET Auckland Network each year funds number of ‘Project X’ electronics workshops to teach basic electronics skills to intermediate-age school children.
Project X allows each child to construct their very own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a pre-made circuit board. Each child learns to identify each component that makes up their robot along with learning the art of soldering.
Date: 17/05/2023
Sustainable Locomotive Fleet
Speakers:
- Michelle Deely is the Sustainability Manager at KiwiRail
- John Skilton is Programme Director Future Rail Systems, KiwiRail
This talk will explore what sustainability means to KiwiRail starting with a focus on decarbonisation and its carbon footprint and an overview of initiatives and new assets – rail, Interislander and facilities. It will then look in more detail at both the economic case and technical options for the future motive power assets required to support the decarbonisation of our locomotive fleet. The KiwiRail preferred options will be presented followed by the technical issues still to be solved.
The talk will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about sustainability in one of New Zealand largest transport providers or anyone interested in the technology that KiwiRail will use to achieve their carbon reduction targets and transition towards a low emissions future for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
Date: 22/04/2023
Project X - Tamil Community School
For the third year, IET Auckland committee members, supported by local community leaders and volunteers, provided a one day ‘Project X’ electronics workshop to the children of Tamil Community with the support of Tamil Community Education (Poonga) on 22 April 2023. This time Tamil Community Education (Poonga) worked with New Zealand Tamil Engineers Association (NZTEA). The event was greatly appreciated by teaching staff, parents, and students alike.
IET Auckland received an amazing level of industry support from local engineer Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan who led the project and Anvesh Lagow, Boomin Perera, Clive Jordan, Lawrence Buxton, Max Ramachchandran and Yathursan Mohanathas. Committee members Brian Chu and Chris Johnston also provided support on that day. In addition to industry support we were delighted receive help from Lanishka Varatharajan who is currently studying Electrical Engineering and the University of Auckland and Viyugan Pathmasegaran at the University of Auckland. Frank Lewis initiator of Project X also provided the support on that day.
Yathursan Mohanathas, Lanishka Varatharajan and Viyugan Pathmasegaran are old students of Tamil Community Education.
Feedback from Parents:
Sharrukeshan: IET: Thank you for IET and team giving opportunity for the kids to gain hands on experience with hardware and software. Especially hardware. Thanks again
Thenmoli Syamalan: Thank you to IET and the team for giving their best effort for making this possible and it is really a good training for the kids .
Deepa: It’s been a great opportunity for our kids to learn and know more about technology. This workshop has made the students to thought process the technology involved behind project. These type of opportunities are very hard to get our way. And to add my feedback, one of the student’s feedback here, “In the beginning of the session, I taught it is going to be a boring science session but at end the day it was a fun day with lot of learning.”
Many thanks for organising such workshop. Looking forward for more such workshop in future.
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Menaka: It was a great opportunity for the kids to experience, so we greatly appreciate this effort of getting some of them into engineering.
Dupeevan: Thank you Gowri ஷங்கர் and other for organising and conducting today's workshop. Kids really enjoyed and had fun. Appreciate all the efforts and time.
Jeyaram: Thank you everyone who organized this worthful workshop. Hope all kids would have enjoyed this. Appriciate this good efforts and interesting workshop.
Kuttan: Thank you for giving this opportunity to Abisha and the other students as well as the Poonga Community members for their support. As well as the volunteers , this really helped the kids to gain a new experience and apply/extend their knowledge. Much appreciated !!
Elankeeran: Thank you everyone who organized this worthful workshop. Hope all kids would have enjoyed this. Appriciate this good efforts and interesting workshop. This really helped the kids to gain a new experience and apply their knowledge.
Sujeevan: Thank you so much for planning this workshop. Sagana really enjoyed it and said she learnt a lot there. I would also like to say thank you for all the effort and the opportunity that Poonga Community and Shankar Anna has provided :)
Ralhan: Thank you very much for IET Robot workshop. It is indeed immensely helpful to shaping and channelising kids interests in engineering and technology. I will look forward for more such sessions in future 
. Thanks once again.
Date: 30/03/2023
IET Prestige Lecture: Human-centric concerns for social robotics
Speaker: Keri Grieman
What do we think about when we think of robots? This talk delves into the human-centred concerns around social robots: the gap between pop culture and reality, and what challenges we face in the field. This includes different kinds of harms caused by robots; why robots are difficult to regulate; and why governments are increasingly concerned with the robot boom. Issues discussed include physical harms - death and injury; psychological harms - addiction, vulnerability, social effects; and social harms - an increase in surveillance and personal vulnerability. This talk also discusses proposed solutions: what types of existing legislation are effective and where they fail, what parts of non black-letter law contribute to liability discussions, and how technological approaches can contribute to problem solving for regulators. The talk will conclude with a brief discussion of responsible innovation practices, and, time willing, approaches to robot accident investigation.
Date: 14/12/2022
IET Auckland AGM 2022
Today’s Auckland IET AGM concluded Auckland LN events for 2022.
Whilst it was another challenging year, it was great to get a good turnout, network and share thoughts and ideas.
A huge thanks to the IET Auckland for delivering so many great events and initiatives throughout the year!
Hope everyone safe and festive break. Looking forward seeing you at IET Auckland Network events in 2023!
Video:
Date: 12/12/2022
IET Auckland Network Breakfast Meeting
Date: 20/11/2022
Project X | Avondale College
IET Auckland provided a one-day ‘Project X’ electronics workshop to the children of Avondale College, Auckland. The event was greatly appreciated by teaching staff, parents, and students alike.
IET Auckland received an amazing level of industry support from local engineer Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan who led the project and Alstef Group (Glidepath Limited) who provided Engineer Fauzia Ali, In addition to industry support, we were delighted to receive help from Anne George and Peter Selwyn. Committee members, Frank Lewis and Brian Chu also provided support on that day.
Date: 24/08/2022
IET Member Re-connect - Auckland
We warmly welcome you to our first physical event of 2022! IET members and non-members are cordially invited to join the physical event IET Member Connect in Auckland. This event will be a chance to meet new people in STEM, mingle, and have some food on IET!
People join and enjoy their time on IET local committees to be with like-minded people with similar interests both socially and professionally, promoting engineering as a career to others especially young age groups. We have a constant involvement with skills and knowledge development in engineering and life-skills, lectures, visits, and webinars etc.
Date: 16/08/2022
Project X – Mt Roskill Intermediate School
As part of the IET’s commitment to supporting the next generation of New Zealand’s engineers, scientists, and technologists, the IET Auckland Network each year funds a number ‘Project X’ electronics workshops to teach basic electronics skills to intermediate age school children.
Project X allows each child to construct their very own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a pre-made circuit board. Each child learns to identify each individual component that makes up their robot along with learning the art of soldering.
IET Auckland provided a one day ‘Project X’ electronics workshop to the children of Mt Roskill Intermediate School, Auckland. The event was greatly appreciated by teaching staff, parents, and students alike.
IET Auckland received an amazing level of industry support from local engineer Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan who led the project and Alstef Group (Glidepath Limited) who provided two Engineers Karl Brook and Max Ramachchandran, In addition to industry support we were delighted receive help from a community leader and a registered Teacher Anne George. Committee members, including Chairperson Eryn Kwon Chris Johnston and Brian Chu also provided the support on that day.
Date: 25/07/2022
Queens Honour - Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Please give George Arulanantham a big round of applause 
We are delighted to inform to you that George Arulanantham has received one of the highest Honour New Zealand.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been pleased to appoint him as an “Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit – ONZM” in recognition of his services to the community.
George has been involved in community work since my arrival in New Zealand over twenty years ago, initially being heavily involved in advocating and assisting refugee and migrant communities. Over the years, he has been grateful to extend his ability to continue serving the community through organisations. He is the Treasurer of the IET Auckland Network.
Below is a video of George receiving his award at Government House.
Date: May 2022
Project X - Tamil Community School
As part of the IET’s commitment to supporting the next generation of New Zealand’s engineers, scientists, and technologists, the IET Auckland Network each year funds a number ‘Project X’ electronics workshops to teach basic electronics skills to intermediate age school children.
Project X allows each child to construct their very own interactive robot by soldering electronic components onto a pre-made circuit board. Each child learns to identify each individual component that makes up their robot along with learning the art of soldering.
For the second year running IET Auckland committee members, supported by local community leaders and volunteers, provided a one day ‘Project X’ electronics workshop to the children of Tamil Poonga Community School Auckland. The event was greatly appreciated by teaching staff, parents, and students alike.
This year’s Project X electronics workshop was organised by Committee members George Arulanantham, Frank Lewis, Chris Johnston, Brian Chu, and Anuruddha Caldera.
Vishvanaath Prakashini, the parent, when asked on what the IET’s support meant to their school, responded:
“This opportunity gave all the kids a great experience. My kids really enjoyed it and I believe the other kids did too. Many applause to IET for organising this workshop for the kids to learn and have fun at the same time.”
In addition to our IET committee members we received an amazing level of industry support from local engineers Gowrishankar Sunthanthirapalan, Suren Amirthalingam, Anvesh Lagow, Raamshangar, and Senthilkumar. In addition to industry support we were delighted receive help Lanishka Varatharajan who is currently studying Electrical Engineering and the University of Auckland.
Please refer to the link below for details.