Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand 2026

At this event, 22 participants from Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Island Nations will pitch their innovative breakthrough idea for the chance to compete at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale in Berlin. 

Participants will have 3 minutes to showcase their innovative research, scientific idea, or evidence-based initiative, and how it could make a difference for society.

Attend all or part of this FREE event to hear the participants pitch their breakthrough ideas to the Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand Jury and be inspired by these students and early-career professionals!

Hōtaka Programme

Morning Session

• 11.30am Mihi welcome and introductory remarks
• 11.45am Pitch presentations (participants 1-10)
• 12.45pm Kai a te Rānui Lunch

Afternoon Session

• 1.30pm Pitch presentations (participants 11-22)
• 2.30pm Networking break / Kaiwhakawā Jury evaluation session
• 4.15pm Award ceremony / Group photo and closing remarks
• 4.45–6.00pm Networking and connecting reception

Kaitautoko Partners

Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand is hosted by the Royal Society Te Apārangi with support from the German Embassy in Wellington, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and EURAXESS Australia & New Zealand.

About Falling Walls

Falling Walls Labs are organised by independent partners of Falling Walls Foundation across the globe. The winners of each Lab travel to Berlin for the Falling Wall Lab Global Finale run by the Falling Walls Foundation.

Falling Walls is inspired by the world-changing event of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, with the question at every Falling Walls gathering: Which walls will fall next?

 ***For event enquiries, please contact the organisers at events@royalsociety.org.nz