Behind the AV Equipment and Technology at WIPCE
When thousands of Indigenous representatives from around the world gathered at Auckland’s Shed 10 for the opening of WIPCE, the atmosphere was unforgettable. The pōwhiri that opened the conference was incredibly powerful, with voices and communities joined in waiata, a haka, and shared purpose that set the tone for an extraordinary week.
Events of this scale and cultural significance deserve technical systems that elevate the experience rather than distract from it.
That’s why we delivered an AV production package built for clarity, reliability, and immersion, including:
● A 10m x 3m LED wall as the main stage backdrop
● A full DAS line array sound system engineered for clean, even coverage across 2,000 attendees
● A multi-camera IMAG setup, including operated and fixed cameras, seamlessly integrated into our vision switching and distribution system
No matter where in the venue, all 2,000 attendees felt connected to what was happening on stage. This is only possible using equipment designed for high-performance environments and a team skilled enough to deploy it properly.
WIPCE Cocktail Function.
After a week of the conference, delegates wrapped up with a night dedicated to connection and celebration. The WIPCE Cocktail Function was relaxed, vibrant, and full of music and cultural talent from around the world.
To bring the room to life, we supplied:
● A full line array sound system for high-fidelity music delivery
● LED totems and visual elements to shape the atmosphere
● Event Lighting gear deployed throughout the venue
● Lasers and special effects to elevate the energy all night long
With the right combination of audio, visuals, and lighting design, the function was able to become an experience that everyone there could feel, not just attend.
What makes a great party or event?
It’s easy to assume that a “good enough” speaker, a few lights, and a basic projector will do the job. If you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, they’ll do the job!
But for events where you want people to feel the moment, not just observe it, three things matter:
1. The Quality of the AV Hire Equipment
Professional-grade audio and visual gear is engineered for clarity, durability, reliability, and scale.
Cheap, semi-domestic equipment isn’t built for:
● consistent sound coverage across a room
● high-brightness, colour-accurate visuals
● safe, compliant installation
● long runtimes under load
● integration with other systems
There’s a reason serious events rely on Edwards and DAS Audio line array sound systems, high-resolution LED panels, and robust lighting fixtures: they do the job properly and consistently.
2. The Quality of the Setup
Even great equipment can underperform if installed poorly.
Simultaneously, skilled engineers can elevate good gear into something outstanding.
At Edwards Sound, our team ensures…
● The sound is tuned to the room
● LED walls are calibrated and safe
● Cameras, switching, and distribution play nicely together
● Lighting enhances, rather than overwhelms, the event
…Because the magic is in the details that most people never see.
3. The Audience Experience
Every event has a purpose. Our job is to make sure the technical side actively supports that purpose, whether it’s connection, celebration, learning, culture, or community.
This is why clients come to us, and why WIPCE trusted us with two of their major moments.
Once you hear and see the difference, you’ll understand!
Why Edwards Sound?
When you hire sound, lighting or AV equipment from Edwards, you’re getting:
● True professional-grade equipment
● Proper safety and compliance
● Industry-recognised leading brands, not hobby-level gear
● Support from real AV technicians when you need it
● Equipment that’s maintained, tested, and event-ready
What do we actually mean by "professional sound systems"?
Most people are used to standard "point source" speakers—the kind you see on a tripod. These follow the Inverse Square Law, where sound energy spreads out like a sphere, losing 6dB of volume every time you double your distance from the stage. A DAS Audio line array, however, essentially bends the laws of acoustics. By stacking multiple speaker drivers in a precise vertical column, the sound waves interfere with each other to form a cylindrical wave rather than a sphere.
The "Physics" of the Line Array
This is the technical "magic": because the sound is focused into a tight horizontal beam, it only loses 3dB per doubling of distance in its near-field. To the audience, it feels like the system has double the performance and reach of a traditional setup. It allows us to throw crystal-clear audio all the way to the back of Shed 10 or any venue without deafening the people in the front row—ensuring the pōwhiri was just as powerful for the 2,000th person as it was for the first.
When your event is too important to leave to 'good enough' gear, you need a technical partner who understands the science of immersion. Contact the Edwards team today to discuss your next event or production.
