INTERFACEXpo workshops are where things get hands on and practical – and 2026 is shaping up to be one of our strongest line-ups yet.
Our sponsors will be running a wide range of workshops this year, with something for every interest and experience level. Each 35-minute session is designed to dig a little deeper, giving you real insight into the tools, ideas, and solutions making an impact in classrooms right now. You can explore the full range below.
To help you get the most out of your day, delegates will be asked to select their preferred workshops in advance.
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Company: Google for Education
Title: Learn what’s new in Google for education tools including Gemini and NotebookLM
Outline: Join Steve Smith for the latest updates to Google for Education tools.
Following that, you will explore Gemini and NotebookLM to see how you can harness the power of these fantastic, safe and secure, learning tools in your Kura.
Gemini is Google’s AI assistant. NotebookLM is an AI research and note-taking tool.
This workshop will be hands on so bring a device with access to Gemini and NotebookLM
Presented by: Steve Smith, New Zealand Country Manager Google for Education
Steve supports all New Zealand kura in their use of Google for Education’s tools for both educators and students. He spent 22 years teaching in New Zealand and England, and first began using Google tools in his classes in 2003.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
Company: Kai’s Education
Title: Unplugged and Unstoppable : Making core subjects come to life with KaiBot
Outline: Want to see how you can make core subjects more meaningful and engaging for students while reducing reliance on screens? Reimagine coding as a powerful cross-curricular tool that strengthens literacy, numeracy, science, social and emotional, and inquiry learning. This workshop explores how KaiBot’s can integrate computational thinking into everyday classroom programmes in meaningful, authentic ways with KaiBot.
This hands-on workshop is designed for Primary and intermediate teachers to show them how they can make core subjects come alive with KaiBot.
You will see how KaiBot can support :
- Math and Literacy for year 0-2 with Market Math and Literacy Kitchen
- Our KaiBot Math-in-action Program for year 1-5
- Core social and emotional skills with Dragon of Disengagement for Year 3-5
- Science and inquiry learning with KaiBot, Kainundrumlite and Kainundrum.com Year 1-8
You will also see examples of teachers and students being engaged with KaiBot and how they have used it in their classrooms.
Walk away from this workshop with classroom ideas and low prep, ready to use lesson plans for bringing cross-curricular subjects to life all while not needing a screen, just our cross-curricular super hero KaiBot!
Presented by: Nikki Thompson – Education sales and programs coordinator
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: kaiseducation.com/
Company: 3D Now
Title: Smarter Classrooms: Saving Time and Increasing Engagement with Interactive Technology
Outline: This practical workshop demonstrates how interactive classroom technology can simplify teaching while improving student engagement and learning outcomes. Educators will see how interactive panels can be used to save and revisit previous lessons, allowing teachers to seamlessly continue from where they left off without repeating content or losing valuable teaching time.
The session will also showcase how easy it is to access online resources directly from the panel, enabling teachers to bring real-world content into the classroom instantly. In addition, we will demonstrate the use of a document camera to share physical resources, student work, and live demonstrations with the entire class – making lessons more interactive and inclusive.
Building on modern STEAM and inquiry-based learning approaches , this workshop focuses on simple, effective ways to enhance teaching without adding extra workload. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately in their classrooms.
Presented by: Jennilee Ellis from 3D Now.
Jennilee is part of the team at 3D Now, specialising in education technology solutions for schools across New Zealand. She works closely with educators to implement interactive classroom tools that enhance student engagement, simplify teaching workflows, and support future-focused learning. Jennilee focuses on practical, easy-to-use solutions that deliver real impact in the classroom without adding complexity for teachers.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: 3dnow.co.nz/product/65-interactive-flat-panel/
Company: Linewize
Title: Supporting student wellbeing in an increasingly complex and online world
Outline: What might be slipping through the gaps in everyday student device use?
Students facing challenges often struggle to engage, showing distraction or concerning behaviours like bullying or signs of distress. These signals aren’t always obvious. They can slip through the gaps within everyday digital interactions, where educators don’t always have the visibility or insights needed to step in early and prevent further harm.
Join Saunil Hagler, Linewize NZ Education Director, for a look at the Linewize ecosystem. Currently supporting 600+ NZ schools, this workshop explores how to protect student wellbeing in an increasingly complex and online world.
Attendees will leave knowing:
- How ‘Content Aware Protection’ protects students from risky content and interactions on accessible sites, covering harmful media, AI chatbots, cyberbullying, and threats of violence
- How real-time, human-moderated alerts enable school teams to intervene early when online behaviours signal risk
- How Classwize provides ‘rewindable device visibility’ to identify and re-engage struggling students
- How Linewize Pulse check-ins support students and provide staff with whole-school wellbeing insights
- How schools can empower parents to improve online safety at home and prevent issues from reaching the classroom
This is a must-attend workshop for proactive educators and school leaders seeking deeper wellbeing data and improved oversight of student device use.
Presented by: Saunil Hagler, New Zealand Education Director for Linewize
Before joining Linewize, Saunil taught in New Zealand and abroad for 11 years, later specialising in e-learning professional development. Since 2019, he has led the Linewize NZ team, supporting 600+ NZ schools in helping over 250,000 ākonga navigate an increasingly complex and online world.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: linewize.co.nz/interface
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Company: Science Alive
Title: Science Alive+: A New Era
Outline: Science Alive is a charitable trust with a mission to bring science to everyone, everywhere, every day. Two years ago, we launched our very own education portal, now home to over 250+ STEAM based resources used by kaiako and ākonga across Aotearoa. Now, we are proud to introduce the next chapter: Science Alive+.
This new evolution of our education portal is designed with teachers in mind to help transform the way you teach STEAM. It includes lessons aligned directly to the new refreshed curriculum, practical tools to help support your planning, and built in assessment and analytics to track your students’ progress.
Join us for this workshop, where you will get a guided tour of Science Alive+ and learn how to use its features to save time, strengthen your planning, and enhance learning in your classroom. You won’t want to miss this!
Presented by: Olivia Brien
Olivia Brien is the Education Manager at Science Alive, leading the development of innovative, curriculum-aligned STEAM programmes and digital resources for schools across Aotearoa. With seven years’ experience as an intermediate teacher in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, she brings strong classroom insight and a passion for engaging diverse learners. Olivia is passionate about empowering young people to see themselves in STEAM and exploring the pathways available in Aotearoa.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: sciencealive.co.nz/educators
Company: Learning First
Title: Unleashing your AI Activation Blueprint – People, Pedagogy, Protocols and Tools
Outline: Does it feel like a new AI tool drops every single day, leaving you wondering how to actually keep up?
The opportunities for both teachers and students are potentially positive and massive, but the “how” can feel daunting and overwhelming. Where do we start?
This practical workshop shows you how to implement our “AI Activation Blueprint”. We will move you past the hype and into practical, effective strategies that lift outcomes for both teachers and students. This isn’t about more tech and subscriptions; it’s about a framework that ensures AI works for everyone, using free tools we already have access to.
What the workshop will cover together:
- People over Programs: Learn how to recalibrate classroom habits so that teachers can teach and students can learn in much more effective ways.
- Dynamic Pedagogy: Discover highly motivating, low-friction strategies that meet the wide and differing needs of all students, instantly.
- Practical Protocols: We’ll show you a “1 pager” that aligns SLT expectations, BoT policies and student voice – so that outcomes are boosted in ways that are fast and measurable.
- The Right Tools for the Job: We will explore various, free AI and non-AI features in Google Classroom and Google Class Tools. Recognising that “one size doesn’t fit all”, we will also share how to differentiate the performance of your infrastructure to meet all ages and stages. Beyond this, we look at why “screwdriver-ready”, repairable Asus Chromebooks are the solution for schools on a budget and wanting to avoid e-waste.
Ready to activate AI in your classroom? Register for our workshop now!
Presented by: Martin Hughes
Martin Hughes has been working with NZ schools for over 20 years. He relentlessly focuses on breaking the stubborn link between the improved student outcomes that we all want and the extra stress and workload that we don’t want. So that within busy schools, we have 100% uptake amongst teachers, leaders and students. He delivers professional learning experiences that are Meaningful, Memorable, and Motivating.
Martin’s main areas of focus include enhanced literacy and assessment strategies, the effective use of AI tools to personalise learning and the transformation of classroom teaching to be more responsive to the diverse needs of ākonga. Specifically, this involves sharing techniques with kaiako to Scaffold, Differentiate and Feedback/Forward with minimal cost in both time and energy.
He achieves this partly by significantly simplifying our relationship with technology so that productivity and creativity become the focus, reducing ākonga screentime whilst raising expectations.
His Learning First partnership with Mike Stodart (Support-IT) and Caz Nortje (Asus) brings together a wealth of talent and experience to support busy schools to reach their goals.
Martin is a Certified Google Trainer, PLD coach and Change Management practitioner.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: learningfirst.nz
Company: JB Hi-Fi
Title: Back to the Future – Creativity in the Classroom
Outline: Does creativity belong only in the art class? Do we have to choose between structured learning approaches OR fostering creativity and engagement. Research shows that creativity isn’t a gift for the few but a skill that is both essential for future skills and thrives when integrated into learning experiences. In this interactive workshop we’ll challenge 4 myths that form barriers to a BOTH approach in our classrooms of any year level. We’ll also give you real, actionable examples for how tech can enhance your structured learning programs as well as enabling creativity and critical thinking. Lastly, we’ll have 4 stations for you to see the tech in real life – see the examples in action and get hands on! This session will be in 4 parts:
- Hands on with the gear at 4 stations
- Facilitated discussion about the challenges for creativity in today’s classroom
- Busting the 4 Creativity myths
- Examples of Creativity through tech
Presented by: Mark Herring, Education Specialist, JB Hi-Fi
Mark Herring knows what works in real classrooms because he’s been in them! With 9 years as a primary school teacher and deputy principal, plus 10 years supporting schools as a digital education specialist across New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and the US, Mark understands how the right technology, used in the right ways can unlock student creativity and transform learning. Now leading JB Hi-Fi’s growing team of education account managers, Mark is driving a clear mission: to help schools move from technology consumption to creative innovation.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: jbhifi.co.nz/pages/back-to-school
Company: Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga / The Ministry of Education
Title: Governing AI in Schools: Practical Leadership for a Changing Digital Environment
Outline: AI is already part of everyday school life – from lesson planning tools and learning platforms to administration systems and cloud‑based software. The challenge for schools is no longer whether AI is used, but how it is governed and managed safely, responsibly, and confidently.
This workshop is for teachers and principals who want to deepen their understanding of how different types of AI affect their school, staff, and student data. We’ll explore the three key ways AI shows up in schools:
- Large Language Models (LLMs) such as Copilot or Gemini
- AI embedded within everyday software (SaaS)
- Agentic AI, where systems can take actions or make decisions on behalf of users
We’ll look at where real risk sits, how data can flow or persist across these systems, and what practical governance choices schools can make to protect information, meet privacy obligations, and maintain trust – without shutting innovation down.
You’ll leave with:
- A clear mental model for understanding the three types of AI
- Practical questions to ask vendors, staff, and service providers
- Realistic governance and policy starting points for schools
- Greater confidence to lead informed, balanced AI conversations in your community
No technical background required. This is about decision‑making, and enabling safe, purposeful use of AI in schools.
Presented by: Danielle Vandendungen, Strategic Advisor Digital Security Engagement at the Ministry of Education.
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: education.govt.nz
Company: N4L
Title: Smarter, not harder: balancing usability and cybersecurity in schools
Outline: Across Aotearoa, cyber threats targeting schools are increasing in scale and sophistication. At N4L, we support more than 2,500 schools through a managed network and cybersecurity services that are designed to reduce risk and keep learning environments safe.
This workshop gives you a clear view of what is really happening across the sector, using the latest insights from N4L’s Cybersecurity Data & Insights Report. You will see how the threat landscape is evolving, including a 43% increase in incident responses since 2023, the rise of phishing as the most common attack type, and a sharp growth in more complex, targeted email threats .
You will gain practical insight into how cybersecurity is working in schools today, including:
- Why most threats are now stopped before schools are even aware
- When schools are most at risk during the year
- What common attack patterns look like in real environments
- Where to focus your eff ort to reduce risk
We will also explore what these insights mean for your school, and how you can take simple, practical steps to strengthen your security posture.
Come along to build your understanding, sense-check your approach, and leave with clear actions to support a safer, more secure digital learning environment.
Presented by:
- Greg Duff, Head of Education and Engagement
- Graham Flanagan, Regional Director (North)
- Oliver Richardson, Regional Director (South)
Locations: Lincoln, Rotorua and Auckland.
More information: n4l.co.nz/
Company: Saasyan
Title: Practical Approaches to Digital Safety and Web Filtering in Schools
Outline: Digital activity in schools now spans learning platforms, browsers, communication tools, yet monitoring, policies, and filtering often sit in separate systems. This fragmentation can make it harder for schools to spot emerging risks early or respond quickly when concerns arise.
This workshop explores a cost-effective, holistic and privacy‑first approach to bringing these pieces together. By consolidating insights across digital channels, schools gain clearer visibility into online behaviour and student wellbeing through meaningful, low‑noise analytics. AI‑enhanced detection also helps surface subtle patterns that traditional keyword‑based monitoring often misses.
A key focus is practical control. Schools can manage their own web filtering rules without delays or reliance on external providers for minor changes. Giving IT teams direct control reduces administrative overhead and avoids adding yet another disconnected system to an already complex environment, allowing staff to redirect time toward supporting students and maintaining safe, focused learning spaces.
A live demonstration of Saasyan Assure will show how these capabilities work in real school settings. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what a modern, proactive digital safety and classroom-control solution can deliver.
Presented by: Greg Margossian, Founder and Managing Director at Saasyan, and Veronica Melograna, Partner Sales Manager at Saasyan
Greg is Saasyan’s Founder and Managing Director, with a career built on transforming complex technologies into simple, impactful solutions. With deep expertise in ICT and a Master’s in Technology and Innovation Management, he leads the vision behind Saasyan’s AI-driven platform. Greg’s strategic thinking and technical leadership have shaped Assure into a trusted tool for schools, helping to safeguard student wellbeing across digital environments.
Veronica leads Saasyan’s partner ecosystem with over a decade of EdTech experience and a strong focus on student wellbeing. A natural relationship builder and strategic thinker, she empowers our partners to deliver real value with Assure’s AI-powered safety solutions – ensuring schools stay supported, informed, and protected.
Location: Auckland.
More information: saasyan.com/interface
Company: MOTAT
Title: Technology Anthropology
Outline: Do we create technology, or does technology create us? While teaching at MOTAT, the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, educator Hamish Hall-Smith has been pondering these questions.
In search of answers, drawing on his academic background in anthropology, he will explore and discuss examples from human history. Join him in this entertaining and thought-provoking session, which aims to deepen your understanding of the cultural nature of technology in all its different forms.
This is a must-see talk for teachers looking for inspiration and perspective as they tackle the new technology curriculum in 2027.
Presented by: Hamish Hall-Smith is the lead educator of MOTAT’s STEAM Cell programme, which delivers STEAM learning experiences to schools all around the north island.
Location: Auckland
More information: motat.nz/learning/
To register your interest to attend INTERFACEXpo 2026, go to interfacexpo.nz/register2026/
Once registered, you will receive an invitation to select the workshops of your choice from late April. If you have any questions, please contact us at admin@interfacexpo.co.nz
INTERFACE April 2026.
