Kia ora
This month’s industry updates have a common theme: IoT is becoming more useful in places where conventional coverage, access or operating conditions make deployment difficult.
From freshwater sensing and satellite-connected assets to high-altitude networks and smarter water metering, the common thread is practical infrastructure for remote, distributed and difficult environments.
In his latest article, IoT Forum Co-Chair Kriv Naicker explores why AI systems need live IoT data to stay grounded in real-world conditions, not simply what their training data predicts. Read Still Listening — How Real-Time IoT Data Keeps World Models Honest.
We are also pleased to welcome Duaa Al-Hamid (AUT) and Josh Solomon (Scopious IoT) to the IoT Forum New Zealand Executive Council. Their experience will add further depth to the Forum as we connect, collaborate and advance IoT adoption across New Zealand.
Looking beyond Aotearoa, Kriv will represent IoT Forum New Zealand at an Asia-Pacific AIoT roundtable in Taipei this week. The discussions will focus on AI adoption in manufacturing and opportunities for regional AIoT collaboration with peer associations across Australia and Southeast Asia. Learn more.
IoT News
Freshwater sensing moves closer to the field
University of Auckland researchers are trialling low-cost, battery-powered nitrate sensors that send freshwater readings via cellular networks to a live dashboard.
Read more
Satellite IoT targets New Zealand’s coverage gaps
Spark Satellite for IoT, powered by Starlink, extends managed connectivity to approved devices operating beyond terrestrial coverage.
Read more
Japan tests an IoT layer above the clouds
SoftBank and Sceye’s High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) trial combined direct connectivity, emergency messaging, drone communications and onboard edge processing over Japan.
Read more
A relay helps smart water reach the last metres
Netmore, Itron and Abeeway have validated a LoRaWAN relay solution to extend smart-water-meter coverage in difficult locations.
Read more
Bluetooth devices gain a path to orbit
Hubble has opened its Bluetooth-to-satellite service to more customers. It also raised US$200 million to grow its constellation.
Read more
Indoor environment and safety monitoring: towards smarter building intelligence
Researchers at Auckland University of Technology, led by Duaa Zuhair Al-Hamid, have developed a privacy-conscious IoT system for smarter building. It combines environmental monitoring, vibration sensing, edge analytics and real-time communications.
Post-disaster water leak detection: maintaining resilience under pressure
A second AUT initiative, also led by Duaa Zuhair Al-Hamid, is exploring an IoT system for detecting water leaks after a disaster. It combines rule-based monitoring with anomaly detection to support reliable operation in uncertain conditions.
From IoT to AIoT at city scale Suwon, South Korea, has launched a physical-AI smart-city project with Hyundai Motor Company, Kia and six other partners. The project will develop infrastructure that can sense, reason and act. This includes the creation of four hubs, including transport, citizen convenience, safety and disaster, and innovation and education.
Read more
Upcoming Events
IoT Community Connect Event
Wednesday, 21 October 2026 | 5.30pm–7.30pm | Free
Hudson Gavin Martin, Level 16, 45 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Join IoT Forum New Zealand for an in-person evening of connection, conversation and collaboration with New Zealand’s Internet of Things community.
Hear from Edwin Lim and Mark Heine of Hudson Gavin Martin as they share their legal perspective on the opportunities ahead for connected technologies, then connect with peers from industry, government and academia.
Register here
Read full news here: IoT at the edge: connectivity, AIoT and regional collaboration | October Newsletter