NZTech Update – A new era in digital procurement

Hi Readers

This week looks to be a busy one.  Today, we start interviewing for the Techweek partnership manager.  It’s not too late to throw your hat into the ring if you’re looking for a change.

On Tuesday we will be working with NZTE to integrate the UpStarters and Tech Story work with the Techweek team.  I am delighted we can bring together these two exciting initiatives.  It means the Techweek team can promote NZ tech and innovation all year round, not just during Techweek!

On Wednesday, following catch ups with members, I look forward to the relaunch of the NZ Story by the Prime Minister at Park Road Post Production.  We simply do not spend enough money marketing New Zealand exports overseas. The NZ Story budget is a mere $3.5 million, while our . international competitors invest significantly more. For example, the Irish Government spends over $70 million a year promoting their primary sector exports.

On Thursday, with ITP and NZRise, we re-initiate our regular meetings with the Government on behalf of the tech sector and meet with Minister Curran and the GCDO team. The Minister announced the “start of a new era in digital Government procurement processes” last week with the official launch of the Marketplace. We want to maintain the momentum and ensure work is done to improve the culture around procurement across Government, otherwise it will be rhetoric.

Then it is back to Auckland for the Agritech New Zealand Board meeting and final preparations for the 30 strong delegation travelling to Silicon Valley at the end of the month.

Well done to TechWomen’s Edwina Mistry for inspiring so many school students last weekend at the Walking on Mars event. The highlight was a live skype tour of NASA mission control by Tomas Soderstrom, NASA’s CTO.  What an experience!

That’s my week, I hope yours is just as much fun.

Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

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Join EdTechNZ on 23 August in Auckland for a panel discussion on the future of work.  Join TechMarketers on 21 August in Wellington, 22 August in Auckland and 23 August in Christchurch.

Don’t miss the NZSA’s annual An Angel at my Table pitch competition, tomorrow in Auckland.  The finalists are AML 360, Boat Secure, Empath and MNYou.

Join FinTechNZ at their   Winter Connect Event on 29 August in Wellington.  Attend the next
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Attend WINTalk Project Connect’s next event with Steve Sammartino: The Lessons School Forgot on 31 August in Auckland.  We have two tickets to giveaway.  First email received, wins a double pass.

Join FinTechNZ’s James Brown at the IoT Waikato  meetup on 21 August in Hamilton.  Attend the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Forum New Zealand, 27-29 August in Auckland.  For a 10% discount use promo code: TW10.

Save the date for next year’s  Techweek, 20-26 May.  Techweek’19 is looking for an experienced Partnerships Manager to support the delivery and growth of Techweek, a national festival of innovation that’s #goodfortheworld.

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Support New Zealand’s digital transformation by adopting TechLeaders Digital Principles; be purposeful, seek to improve, actively collaborate, focus on value, be people centric and commit to lifelong learning.

Don’t forget to register your internship listing with Summer of Tech.  Attend the 2018 AmCham DHL Express Success and Innovation Awards on 16 August in Auckland.  Meet the 2018 New Zealand Spatial Awards finalists on 5 September.

Applications for the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) close on 2 September.  The Flux Accelerator is also accepting applications.   TEDx Auckland 2018 is on 13 October.  Save the date for the Tech Marketers conference on 28 February and AI-Day on 28 March, 2019.

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