The Wellington and South Island 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 Wellington and South Island Local Network to find out about our upcoming events.
Contact us: WellingtonSouthIsland@ietvolunteer.org.
Chair: Mr Chris Lambell
Deputy Chair: Dr Amal Punchihewa (Head of Registration, IPRA Assessor & Examiner, CPD Advisor)
Treasurer: Mr Neil Haydon
Secretary:Mr Pete Bains
Committee Member: Mr Darren Baxter
Committee Member: Mr Paul Bagg
Committee Member: Mr Norbert Nziramasanga
IEEE/IET Liaison: Dr Murray Milner
Committee Member: Mr Andrew Linney
Executive Committee Member: EUR ING. Lakmal Senanayake
Committee Member: Mr Kosala Samarakoon
Committee Member: Mr Jason Hall
Committee Member: Mr Maarten In 't Veld
Young Professional Representative: Mr Riley Willis
Date: 12/12/2022
IET Wellington & South Island Network Annual General Meeting 2022
We had a Short Presentation: Offshore Windfarms – Science and Applications by Darren Baxter
Also, congratulations to Emanuel Evans from Victoria University Wellington, who received the Final Year Student Awards.
Date: 12/10/2022
New Zealand’s Progress Towards a Dark Sky Nation (Hybrid event)
A big thanks to all who attended this evening’s IET New Zealand presentation on ‘New Zealand’s Progress Towards a Dark Skies Nation’. As expected John Hearnshaw, Emeritus Professor - University of Canterbury, provided a fascinating presentation on the health, environmental, and tourism benefits of becoming a dark skies nation. It was great to see so many people in the flesh again.
Date: 05/07/2022
Are you aware of the IET’s New Zealand LinkedIn Page?
You may not be aware, but we recently set up a New Zealand focused IET LinkedIn page:
www.linkedin.com/company/iet-newzealand
If you’ve not done so please visit and follow us.
The purpose of setting up an IET New Zealand LinkedIn page was to:
With the world opening up again we’re keen to start organising and supporting in person IET events again.
As such we see our New Zealand LinkedIn page as a great way to engage and understand the needs of our members.
Date: 17/06/2022
A big thanks to IET Fellow Professor Bob Hodgson (FIET, DistFEngNZ, SMIEEE) of Massey University for presenting to our Palmerston North IET members last night.
It was both fascinating and inspirational to hear how Bob started as a Schoolboy Electronics Enthusiast to becoming a Professional Engineer and Senior Engineering Educator.
His career journey from working in the aircraft avionics Industry on Concord, the Harrier Jump Jet, and the DC10 through to his PhD study with the UK Ministry of Defence was fascinating.
In 2013 his academic and professional achievements were rewarded by winning the Supreme New Zealand Engineering Excellence award.
In more recent times Bob went on to establish the Massey University spin-off and award-winning company VERITAXA LIMITED.
A big thanks to IET New Zealand Wellington and South Island Deputy Chair and Engineering New Zealand : : Te Ao Rangahau Manawatu Chair Amal Punchihewa for organsining an amazing presentation from a truly inspirational Engineer.
This event was another great collaboration between Engineering New Zealand : : Te Ao Rangahau, IET New Zealand , and the IEEE New Zealand.
Our committee were delighted to award the 2021 best Massey University third year engineering student award to Ben Orwin-Higgs.
We wish Ben all the best with his studies and in his career ahead. As part of the IET New Zealand's commitment to support the next generation of Engineers, Scientists and Technologists we annually award a prize to the best Massey University third year engineering student participating in a four year degree programme.
Our IET Wellington & South Island Deputy Chair Amal Punchihewa was proud to celebrate Ben’s success in person and present him with his well-deserved certificate.
We were also privileged to award Ben his certificate alongside IET Fellow Professor Bob Hodgson (FIET, DistFEngNZ, SMIEEE) of Massey University who provided an excellent presentation on his amazing career journey.
Date: 25/05/2022
The Best Award 2020 in WelTec
Last night the IET Wellington & South Island committee were delighted to finally award the 2020 best WelTec third year engineering student award to Chris Eley.
The certificate should have been awarded last year, however due to covid we’ve only just managed to present the certificate in person.
We wish Chris all the best in his career as an electrical engineer with Norman Disney & Young.
As part of the IET New Zealand's commitment to support the next generation of Engineers, Scientists and Technologists we annually award a $500 prize to the best WelTec third year student participating in a four year degree programme.
To celebrate Chris's success and present his certificate were Chris Lambell (Chair), Neil Haydon (Treasurer) and Darren Baxter (Committee Member and Former Chair).
Unfortunately Chris's former WelTec Tutor, Adrian Ferguson, was unable to join us but wished Chris every success in his career ahead.
Date: July 2021
IET 150th Anniversary: Westport Robotics Workshop
Roll-up your sleeves and support our future engineers!!
Robotics Workshops 2022 hosted by IET Wellington & South Island Network
Will you create the next life-saving device? Or the next iteration of search and rescue robot? Help companies automate their manufacturing processes?
All these things are possible if you become a mechatronics engineer.
STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS of the IET
https://www.theiet.org/membership/
FOLLOW US AT: www.linkedin.com/company/iet-newzealand
If you are interested in participating the workshop, please feel free to contact Mr. Darren Baxter at darren.baxter@ietvolunteer.org
