NZTech Update – Dreaming of kitset assembly robots!

Kia Ora

One thing about technology is that if you know what you’re doing, it helps you find an awesome bargain! Driven by massive discounts, Black Friday sales may have reached $23 billion in the US, but here in New Zealand Black Friday sales didn’t live up to the hype with many retailers running regular discounts. There was also plenty of online chatter about firms advertising large discounts, with their ‘sale’ prices untruthfully higher than if you’d bought a week earlier!

However, with a little research and the help of local price comparison websites, I did find just the bargain I was looking for. I am now the proud owner of a brand new BBQ, but this is when the fun really started…

I can’t wait for the arrival of robots to replace the tedium of attempting to build a flat pack anything. After losing an hour of my life to a BBQ assembly instruction manual and 93 different screw types I finally figured out why it was so hard. A vital part was missing! So when those flat pack/kitset assembly robots arrive, I also hope they come with a 3D printer! I wasted another hour returning to the store. Then I had to wait in the customer service queue, before helping a shop assistant dismantle the instore display model to find the elusive part. It all worked out in the end. Last night, the new BBQ fired up nicely and we had a lovely steak for dinner.

This week, I am looking forward to the Hi-Tech Alumni event in Auckland on Wednesday and the Precision Ag AGM in Lincoln on Friday. Hope you have a great week too.

Ng? mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

PS: Consultation for the Copyright Act review is underway. Public workshops are being scheduled in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in February. Meanwhile, learn more and have your say here.

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Join the New Zealand FinTech Summit on Thursday. To secure a 15% discount, please use promo code FS18FN15.

Attend Canterbury Tech’s AGM and Quiz night on 4 December. Congratulations to all the 123Tech regional winners. The national champs are being held on 5 December in Wellington

Connect with Tech Marketers on 5 December in Wellington, 6 December in Christchurch and 7 December in Auckland.

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How can Kiwi tech companies grow more efficiently?  Download the 2018 #marketmeasuresnz report to learn nine growth hacks for Kiwi tech companies.  Read more.  Valued at $375, NZTech members can buy the report for $70 using the promo code: hack6.

Be inspired by previous Hi-Tech Award winners who will share what entering the awards has meant for their business and gain tips on preparing a great entry. Attend the 2019 launch events on 28 November in Auckland, 5 December in Wellington and 6 December in Christchurch. The 2019 Gala Dinner is 24 May in Auckland.

Join NZTE and TechWomen for Practical tips on increasing diversity in tech companieson 26 November in Auckland.  Save the date for the T-Tech, New Zealand’s Future Transport Conference, 6-7 May 2019 in Christchurch.  Submissions are now open for presentations.

ADVANCE

Explore FinTech’s ecosystem with this new landscape infographic.  Ahead of her keynote at the FinTech Summit, Xero’s Nicole Buisson says New Zealand can transform the financial services industry and lead the world in FinTech.

Register to attend the Future Government Summit, 26-27 February, 2019.  The summit examines how we can enable an entrepreneurial government and create a roadmap for the future. Includes GovTech, tech trends, innovation and more.

Join the AI Forum at the 31st Australasian Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence 11-14 December in Wellington. Save these 2019 event dates; Future Government summit, 26-27 February, Tech Marketers conference on 28 February, AI-Day on 28 March and Techweek 20-26 May.

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