ShadowTech26 opens the door to tech careers for 1,500+ girls across Aotearoa

Over 1,500 secondary school girls across Aotearoa will step inside local tech workplaces this August as Tech Women’s ShadowTech26 programme returns for another year.

Designed for girls in Years 9–11, ShadowTech gives students a first-hand look at the people, pathways and possibilities within New Zealand’s technology sector — one of the country’s most dynamic, fastest-growing and highest-paid industries.

Students from more than 90 schools will spend a day with local tech employers, gaining hands-on insight into the wide range of career pathways available across the sector.

“ShadowTech gives girls the chance to see technology up close — not as an abstract subject, but as a real career pathway filled with creativity, problem-solving and opportunity,” says Yvonne Gill, Executive Director of Tech Women.

“We know there’s more to working in tech than just coding. Through ShadowTech, students get to see real roles, meet people working in the sector and understand that there’s a tech job to suit everyone.”

Over the course of August, over 1,500 students from more than 90 schools will be paired with 60+ host organisations across 9 locations. The experience includes workplace tours, hands-on tech activities, interactive workshops and authentic storytelling from people working in technology.

ShadowTech26 will take place across Aotearoa from 11–20 August, with events in Nelson, Dunedin, Timaru, Wellington, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Auckland, Waikato and Tauranga

“New Zealand needs more young women choosing pathways into technology,” says Gill.

“Tech is one of our highest-paid and most in-demand industries, and a diverse workforce is essential if we want the sector to keep growing, innovating and solving the problems that matter. When more voices and perspectives are represented in tech, we create better outcomes for everyone.”

Women remain underrepresented across New Zealand’s digital skills pipeline. New data from the soon-to-be-released Digital Skills Aotearoa: 4th Edition shows that women made up just 27 percent of IT degree-level enrolments in 2024. While women represented 31 percent of IT degree-level graduates — up from 19 percent a decade ago — the data reinforces the importance of building stronger pathways for girls into technology.

“Early exposure matters,” says Gill. “When girls can step into a workplace, meet role models and see the breadth of careers available, it helps shift what they believe is possible. We want every student to leave ShadowTech feeling informed, inspired and confident that a career in tech is absolutely for them.”

ShadowTech26 builds on the continued momentum of the programme by connecting schools, employers and communities to help grow the future tech pipeline.

ShadowTech26 by the numbers

ShadowTech26 schedule

Special thanks to our ShadowTech26 supporters

Gold: Deloitte, Westpac
Bronze: AWS, CyberCX, TechStep, Tuatahi First Fibre
Supporters: 2degrees, HP New Zealand, Ricoh New Zealand, WellingtonNZ, Visa

“We’re incredibly grateful to all our sponsors, participating schools and host organisations who help make ShadowTech possible,” says Gill.

“Their support gives students the chance to step inside real workplaces, meet role models and imagine a future for themselves in technology.”

For media enquiries or interview opportunities

Yvonne Gill
Executive Director, Tech Women
+64 21 905 030
yvonne.gill@technewzealand.org.nz

For school or organisation interviews:
shadowtech@technewnzealand.org.nz

About Tech Women

Tech Women connects, inspires, and advances women in technology across Aotearoa. We build community through events and mentoring, inspire the next generation through ShadowTech, and support allies and organisations to take meaningful action on diversity. Together, we’re addressing one of the sector’s biggest growth challenges: the shortage of women in tech roles. Together, we’re building a more inclusive tech sector. https://techwomen.nz/