Maker Festival (MakerFest)

Innovate & Electrify!

STEM Wana proudly presents the first ever MakerFest NZ!

12-13 September 2026

A sustainable tech event that aims to inspire innovation and environmental responsibility by developing and showcasing renewable energy and electrification projects to a broad audience.

Free tickets released soon!

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This festival tackles the reliance on fossil fuels, environmental impacts, limited access to sustainable technologies, insufficient public engagement in climate action, and the skills gap in green technologies.

MakerFest is designed for a diverse audience, including creators, inventors, students, educators, families, entrepreneurs, and community members passionate about innovation and hands-on learning, inspired by the Makerspace movement. It aims to inspire and empower youth and adults of all backgrounds to explore their creative potential and develop new skills.

Pre-Festival

AUGUST – MakerFest Design Challenge/Hack

Challenges for youth and adults: Sustainability and Design Challenge. Creating prototypes to solve a problem (e.g. eco-friendly transportation, water-saving devices, or pollution reduction tools, DIY solar projects and renewable energy experiments).

Festival Weekend

12 & 13 SEPTEMBER 2026 FREE TO ATTEND

There will be demonstrations of new technologies, “hack” stations, and opportunities to meet makers, inventors, and artists. It will be a fun and inspiring environment that encourages learning, experimentation, and showcasing creative talents.

Calling all Makers and innovators…

We’re looking for unique makers, artisans, engineers, tinkers, designers, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs from all over Aotearoa New Zealand.

If you have a passion for making and a desire to share your knowledge with the next generation, we want to hear from you.

If you’re interested in MakerFest 2026, please get in touch with the team

Expression of Interest (Open)

Meet our supporters and sponsors

MakerFest is a community driven kaupapa and relies on sponsorship, funding, and support by the leading STEM organisations in the Bay of Plenty and across Aotearoa New Zealand. If you’re interested in MakerFest 2026, please get in touch with the team

FAQs

What kind of sponsorship packages do you offer?

We have sponsorship packages for all budgets. Benefit from pre-event and post-event activities as well as on the day exhibiting space. Get in touch with us via the contact form for more information. If you are part of a Not-For-Profit/For Purpose organisation we also want to hear from you.

Is MakerFest the same as STEMFest?

While both events are about hands-on learn by doing, MakerFest is suited to older rangatahi and young adults. We welcome all ages, but some activities at MakerFest will be unsuitable to those under 12 years of age. Please check our programme for the day for more information on what to expect to avoid disappointment.

I’m a maker, but I don’t have a company or business, can I still get involved in MakerFest?

Yes! We would love to hear from you if you are a hobby maker or a maker in your spare time working on a cool project. If you have a passion for sharing your love of making with the community, submit an Expression of Interest now.

My company sells supplies for Makers can I attend?

All exhibitors will be curated to ensure that makers and visitors have the best festival experience. We will have very limited spaces for Maker Sellers, please submit your Expression of Interest so we can discuss further.

Sponsorship

  • If you’re interested in MakerFest 2026, please get in touch with the team
  • Take part in a brand new first of its kind event in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Help to inspire and create the next generation of talent that could be part of our future workforce
  • Showcase who you are and what you do to thousands people at the main MakerFest weekend
Contact Team