NZTech Update – Competing on a world stage

This week I have decided to stay in Auckland as there is plenty to be done, with only a few weeks until Techweek.

On Tuesday, I am on a panel at the HGM Thought Leader event.  This event for HGM customers, it will focus on how well equipped we are to take advantage of rapidly emerging technologies and compete on the world stage.   In February, very similar discussions emerged at the Digital Nations Summit and, as typical, in our very Kiwi way we questioned ourselves.  On the first day, we considered other countries as the tech leaders.  However, at the start of day two Ian Taylor took to the stage to remind us how well New Zealand and New Zealanders do on the world stage when it comes to technology.  Watch his 5 minute presentation if you want a quick reminder of how good we are at this stuff.

If you missed the event or want to see part of it again, there is so much good content on the Digital Nation Summit website. Check out the videos and photos. A full write up is underway capturing all of the highlights, actions, recommendations, tweets and insights of the event. This should be available in May.

On Wednesday, I am spending time with NZTech Board member and a man of many good ideas, Robett Hollis.  Check out his Linkedin Daily, a social business show released daily, Monday to Friday, discussing all things media, tech and more.  Robett knows the power of social media and  I will learn plenty from him.

Have an awesome week

Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

Mentors needed

Register now

What’s on

CONNECT

Join Canterbury Tech on 10 April to discuss design thinking.  Register for Emerging Tech in Health, during Techweek, 22 May in Christchurch.

Sign up as a ShadowTech mentor; 21 May in Wellington, 22 May in Christchurch, 23 May in Auckland, 25 May in Palmerston North, 7 June in Hamilton and 26 June in Dunedin.

The Dunedin IT Professionals are getting together this Monday for a drink and a meal. In Hamilton and Nelson their next events are 3 May.

PROMOTE

Check out the 2018 Hi-Tech Awards finalists and the judging panel.  This year the awards shine a spotlight on diversity.  Register for the Alumni event on 24 May and the Gala Dinner on 25 May, both in Christchurch.

AmCham are hosting breakfast with North American Heads of Mission on 25 May in Auckland.  Entries are also open for the 2018 AmCham DHL Express Success and Innovation Awards.

It’s not too late to be involved in Techweek’18.  Final event submissions close 13 April.  Check out the headline events;  10 Billion Mouths, The Fourth Revolution or Creative Realities.  Don’t forget to invite overseas contacts to the Innovation Tour too.

ADVANCE

IT Professionals NZ and NZQA invite you to provide feedback on draft cybersecurity and software testing qualifications proposed to be added to the suite of current computing and IT qualifications.

The AI Forum’s Ben Reid spoke to RNZ about real life uses of AI.  If you missed #AIDay2018, watch the opening video here.  For more on automation and AI, read the TechLeaders Executive briefing paper, Preparing for Digital Disruption at Work, here.

Applications closing on 15 April: Vodafone Xone Accelerator and New Horizons for Women Trust: Hine Kahukura Awards.  Applications closing 20 April: Payments NZ Fintech Innovation Challenge and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.

Want to know more?  Sign up for the NZTech weekly update, it’s free and will take less than a minute!