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NZTech

NZTech Update – Techweek Is Here!

We’ve made it!  Techweek’18 is on now and all this week.  The official count is 538 tech and innovation events throughout New Zealand, so please connect, learn and enjoy. A special thanks to the Prime Minister for joining us in the spirit of Techweek and allowing us to turn her into a hologram to launch the New Zealand tech and innovation international marketing campaign, UpStarters. For many years, we have marketed New Zealand as a tourist destination.  Today, we start telling the world about our amazing tech and innovative people.

The UpStarters story is about broadening perceptions of New Zealand, New Zealanders and what makes the technology we create unique.  Our tech firms are exporting amazing technology to the world, and the UpStarters story will allow them to stand together and build New Zealand’s international tech reputation.

Tech highlights from last week’s budget include the $1.1 billion boost to R&D funding. Admittedly, most of this is taken up with the already announced R&D tax credits, but it should help tech firms who are currently the most prolific investors in R&D in New Zealand.  Have your say in the current consultation on the tax credits.  There may also be some tech opportunities to tap into the new $100 million Green Investment Fund aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emission.  The budget also announced some small government IT projects like the $3.9 million to counter cyber threats. More detail about the budget can be found here.

Finally, before I start attending events today, I would like to congratulate the TechWomen’s ShadowTech Day team, for being named as a finalist in the CIO Awards for Engaging Youth in ICT.  Good luck!

Enjoy Techweek’18 and share with #twnz18 and #goodfortheworld.

Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

Techweek’18 is here, this week!

Watch the live stream

Inspiring the next generation

CONNECT

Join TechWomen’s first Dunedin event, There’s Room – Broadening our Networks Together today  Plus meetups in HamiltonChristchurch and Auckland.

Attend the CIO Summit on 13-14 June in Auckland.  For a 10% discount, use the promo code: MO4KO4.  For $99 off the TechTeam Pass, use this code: MK4KCO.

Join NZBio on 25 May in Auckland for What is the Next Bioactive Opportunity?  Join TechWomen at the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Conference, 18-19 June in Auckland.

PROMOTE

What will the future of food look like?  Find out at 10 Billion Mouths on 23 May in Tauranga.   Interested in AI, AR/VR?  Attend Creative Realities  on 24 May in Wellington.

Want to see Kiwi kids competing in robotics?  VEX Robotics Champs are running during Techweek in Christchurch, Palmerston North, Tauranga and Auckland.

Meet the high tech engineers, innovators and manufacturers who are building a better world.  Learn more at The Fourth Revolution on 25 May in Christchurch.

ADVANCE

The AI Forum is establishing new workstreams to deliver its report recommendationsBe involved and effect change.  The forum is also offering internship opportunities, please email for details.

AgriTechNZ launches this week with an urgent call for solutions to agritech challenges. Also, have your say on the Government’s proposed R&D tax incentive, and provide feedback on the proposed changes to the NZBN Register.

Register for the New Zealand Education Technology Summit, 3-4 July in Aucklandand ITx, 11-13 July in Wellington.  Have your say in the Education Conversation, a quick survey on the future of education.

Not all jobs will be replaced by robots! Read Artificial Intelligence: Shaping a Future New Zealand here.

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