Faculty of Engineering and Design, the University of Auckland

06/08/2026

Next up, join us on Wednesday 12 August with award-winning architect Patrick Clifford, co-founder of Architectus, as he reflects on decades of practice and the evolution of one of New Zealand's most celebrated architectural firms and the role architecture plays in creating meaningful places for communities to live, learn and connect.

From award-winning housing to major public buildings, urban design projects and recipient of the NZIA Gold Medal, Patrick has helped shape some of Aotearoa's most recognisable places. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and register your spot now!

https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/fast-forward-2026-architectus-xl-joining-the-dots-tickets-1992888170164?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/08/2026

Join the Master of Design webinar to discover how to create solutions that improve people's lives and respond to social and environmental challenges.

Register now: https://bit.ly/440VDLA

04/08/2026

University of Auckland timber engineering specialist, Professor Pierre Quenneville's work focused on structural design and timber connections. For most of his career, he saw himself as a researcher rather than an entrepreneur. That changed after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Witnessing the scale of damage and disruption prompted a question that would eventually lead to the seismic solution company Tectonus: could buildings be designed not just to survive earthquakes, but to remain functional afterwards?

Tectonus, co-founded by Pierre, was created to address that problem. The company’s seismic devices allow buildings to move during an earthquake and then return to their original position, reducing damage and downtime. The technology can be used in timber, steel and concrete structures, as well as retrofits of existing buildings.

Read more by clicking the link below.

Professor Pierre Quenneville has developed seismic technology now used in landmark buildings from New Zealand to Canada, showing how earthquake engineering research can become real-world impact.

04/08/2026

A new initiative from the Faculty of Engineering and Design will give undergraduate students from universities across Aotearoa the chance to work on real space missions – developing experiments that could one day fly aboard a satellite.

Working in multidisciplinary teams, the New Zealand Undergraduate Space Challenge will give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience planning missions, solving complex problems and collaborating across the academic spectrum – from engineering and science to business, law, medicine and the humanities.

The first universities taking part in the challenge are the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, and Auckland University of Technology.

"As New Zealand's space sector continues to grow and build momentum, this initiative will give students an authentic taste of what it is like to work in this exciting industry and help to build New Zealand's future of space talent and capability," says Dean of Engineering and Design, Dr Richard Clarke.

Read more by clicking the link below.

A new initiative from the Faculty of Engineering and Design will give undergraduate students from universities across Aotearoa the chance to work on real space missions – developing experiments that could one day fly aboard a satellite.

02/08/2026

This next speaker as part of our Fast Forward Lecture Series presents planner and industry leader Megan Couture on Wednesday 5 August.

She will explore the evolving planning landscape and what it means for the future of our towns, cities and communities.

As Technical Director of Planning, at Beca and the Deputy Chair of Te Kōkiringa Taumata | New Zealand Planning Institute, Megan has helped shape national conversations around planning reform, advocacy and professional practice.

Drawing on experience across the public and private sectors, she will examine recent and proposed reforms, the opportunities they present, and the practical implications for planners, decision-makers and communities across Aotearoa.

Don’t miss out on this free opportunity to hear from a leading voice in the New Zealand Planning space! Register now.

Megan Couture

28/07/2026

Join the Auckland University Engineers Association (AUEA) on Wednesday, 12 August, for an inspiring evening exploring how kaitiakitanga – stewardship, guardianship, and responsibility – can inform and strengthen engineering practice across disciplines.

Featuring Dr Emily Afoa, Dr Kepa Morgan, and Dr Kiri West, this thought-provoking conversation will explore how Māori values, mātauranga Māori, and Indigenous approaches to knowledge and decision-making can contribute to more resilient, sustainable, and equitable engineering outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Find out more and register by clicking the link below.

Eventbrite - Auckland University Engineers Association presents Engineering with Kaitiakitanga - Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 1 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, Auckland. Find event and ticket information.

27/07/2026

Interested in Medical Engineering? Join our webinar to learn about the Master of Medical Engineering programme.

You’ll hear directly from academics, students and graduates of the programme.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4eODJ3J

24/07/2026

Our next Fast Forward lecture brings together three leading voices across New Zealand’s architecture to explore 'Small Practices' on Wednesday 29 July. Join award-winning architects Kate Rogan and Eva Nash from Rogan Nash Architects and Lynda Simmons from Lynda Simmons Architect (LSA) for an evening of insightful discussion.

Together, they'll explore how residential design, architectural practice, and advocacy contributes to creating thoughtful homes, stronger communities, and a more connected profession.

Whether you're studying, working in the industry, or simply interested in great architecture, this is a conversation not to be missed. Register now!

https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/small-practices-rogan-nash-architects-lynda-simmons-architect-tickets-1992885360761?aff=oddtdtcreator

21/07/2026

For many people around the world, AI chatbots are quickly becoming unofficial therapists – a place to discuss personal struggles and seek emotional support without judgement or being left on lengthy waiting lists.

The appeal is understandable. But as AI tools become more involved in mental health, it's becoming increasingly important to understand where the technology can genuinely help – and where its limits lie, writes doctoral candidate in Engineering, Dushanthi Madhushika.

"Mental health care relies on trust, empathy, clinical judgement and human connection... this is why many experts see AI as a tool to support mental health care, rather than something that can or should replace it."

Read more in The Conversation:

As more people turn to chatbots for support, new research is exploring a potential role for AI in spotting early signs of depression.

21/07/2026

We extend a huge congratulations to Faith Culas, doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Engineering and Design, who won the University's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Final on Friday evening!

Faith, a software engineer and early-career researcher, was amongst 13 University of Auckland doctoral candidates, who – in just 180 seconds – were challenged to excite a packed-out lecture hall about their research in a way that would inform, surprise, and inspire.

She turned the spotlight on diversity in software engineering, investigating how different people approach problem-solving and how the design of digital tools can unintentionally favour certain ways of thinking over others.

Her goal is to make a positive difference through technology by creating tools that support the different ways people think, and she’s already working with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in its Hatchery on her ideas. Faith will represent the University – and New Zealand – in international 3MT competitions later this year.

Read more by clicking the link below.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/07/20/University-Auckland-3MT-event-winner-Faith-Culas.html