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NZTech Inform – Attracting tech talent to New Zealand
Kia ora Readers,
You may not realise it, but as a country, we are doing a pretty good job of attracting world class talent to New Zealand. In 2017, we were involved with LookSee Wellington, a campaign promoting tech jobs in Wellington. The campaign attracted 1.6 million website visits and 48,000 applications for 100 jobs. Last week, the LookSee teamlaunched LookSee Tech, timing the first cohort to arrive in May for Techweek. In the first 24 hours, 800 applications were received from around the world. Check out the LookSee Tech site if you’re looking for talent and find out how to get involved.
Today, I am with another group that has been attracting some of the best entrepreneurial talent from around the world. The Edmund Hillary Fellowship was created to incubate solutions to global problems from Aotearoa New Zealand, and make a lasting positive impact on the world. Using New Zealand’s unique Global Impact Visa, this programme has attracted several hundred of the worlds most sought after talent. I am attending their New Frontiers event in Upper Hutt, meeting some awe inspiring people who have chosen New Zealand as the place to make the world a better place from.
Tomorrow, I will be in Tauranga working with the leadership of multiple government agencies and Agritech New Zealand to help build an integrated NZ Inc approach to agritech. With growing international interest in our technology for managing nutrients, improving water quality, agri-bio and digitalisation of our farms, the growth opportunities are enormous.
The rest of the week will certainly fly by, as I return to Auckland to attend board meetings for BlockchainNZ on Tuesday and BIOTechNZ on Wednesday. After catching up with Education New Zealand’s new Chair and CEO on Thursday morning it’s back to Wellington for the Digital Identity NZ and BlockchainNZ event. On Friday, I attend the Data Science Hui and the Digital Skills Forum before returning home to Auckland, for some well earned family time.
Phew, that tired me out just writing it! However, it is a constant privilege to spend my time with so many dedicated and amazing people every day.
Have a great week and don’t forget to submit your Techweek event application.
Nga mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
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CONNECT
Join the Tech Alliance, Digital Identity NZ and Blockchain New Zealand at Leveraging Blockchain for your Digital Identity on Thursday in Wellington and 21 March in Auckland.
Join NZSA and meet Wherescape’s Michael Whitehead tomorrow in Auckland. Join InsurTechNZ’s next connect event on 20 March in Auckland.
Meet innovator Phoebe Tickell on 26 March in Auckland for Designing Organisations to be more Human, We have two free tickets to giveaway. First email received wins a double pass.
PROMOTE
Attend the 2019 Hi-Tech Awardsfinalists announcement in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 27 March. Secure your tickets to the Gala Dinner on 24 May in Auckland, during Techweek19.
What is the impact of tech and big data on vulnerable members of society? Meet visiting professor Virginia Eubanks on Friday in Auckland and 18 March in Wellington for a discussion on her new book, Automating Inequality.
Register for the New Zealand Digital Skills Hui on 27 March in Wellington. Register for MobileTECH 2019, 3-4 April in Rotorua. Attend the Changing Face of Government Procurementnext month in Auckland and Wellington.
ADVANCE
BIOTechNZ’s Zahra Champion says New Zealand urgently needs a BioTech strategy, she explains why here. Join BIOTechNZ and MBIE for the New Zealand delegation to BIO 2019 in Philadelphia, this June. Subscribe for free monthly updates from BIOTechNZ.
Create connections and support the growth of women in tech. Apply for TechWomen’s 2019 Mentoring Circles programmein Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Registrations for mentors and mentees close on Friday.
The Edmund Hillary Fellowship are currently accepting applications. Applications for Lightning Lab Tourism close 1 April. Submissions on the Copyright Act Review close 5 April. Final submissions or Techweek19 close 8 April.
