Taranaki Careers Expo - on the job for 2026

If AI is putting a dampener on your career dreams, there’s an antidote.

Taranaki Careers Expo will be back in full force this year with loads of exhibitors showcasing jobs and training that require human heads, hands and hearts.

State-of-the-art technology and tools will be part of interactive displays too, so attendees can get a taste of diverse industries - from trades, health, environmental, government, business and arts to forestry and farming sectors.

Organisers of the 2026 expo are gearing up for August 17 and 18 when more than 3000 high school students and their whānau will spill into the TSB Stadium to peruse over 40 exhibitors representing diverse work, education and training sectors.

As well as government, community and business organisations, a host of public and private training providers will be on site, from bespoke skills training to universities.

Warwick Foy, Chair of Taranaki Careers and Training Expo Trust Board says over the years his team has heard many stories from families about how they were impacted by Expo. “The value of face-to-face interactions cannot be underestimated. Also, our audience is young, they haven’t always heard about the multitude of occupations and education providers that exist,” he says.

Taranaki Careers Expo is, for the second time, being held on Monday and Tuesday with an evening session on Monday so that those in work seeking ideas and information for a career change or wanting to upskill can attend along with school leavers and parents.

Among the education exhibitors are key sponsor WITT (Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki) and six universities, as well as forestry, hospitality, design and teacher education providers. Government and businesses attending include Fonterra, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, Ministry of Education, NZ Police and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, to name a few.

The expo has been running for more than 20 years and is the only not-for-profit event of its kind in Aotearoa, says Foy. He has been involved with the event for 14 years and says there are always emerging opportunities in education and training as workplaces, technology and society evolves.

“Even if just one student has a life changing moment at Expo, that makes it all worthwhile. It’s helpful to learn that health is more than just doctors and nurses, and that engineering is more than nuts and bolts. There are so many para-careers and support industries that offer great job opportunities. Expo is the place where this all comes together.”

Attendees can also apply for scholarships available the Taranaki Careers and Training Expo Trust Board of up to $1,000. Taranaki Year 12 and 13 students, as well as anyone wanting to further their education are eligible to apply at the expo.

This year, the Expo team has recruited two high school students as social media interns who will share previews and highlights across Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. They are Gabi Brady, from Sacred Heart Girls’ College and Kylle Contreras, from New Plymouth Boys’ High School.

Event details:

Taranaki Careers Expo 2026 at TSB Stadium 1 Rogan Street, Welbourn.

o   Monday 17 August: 12pm – 3pm and 4pm – 6.30pm

o   Tuesday 18 August: 8.40am – 3pm

FREE event open to the public.