NEWS & ARTICLES

23
Oct

NZTech Inform – Record profitability growth!

Georgia Taylor
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NZTech Newsletter

Kia Ora

I am looking forward to joining the TIN100 team on Wednesday in Auckland to hear how the top 200 tech exporters have progressed during the past 12 months.  It’s fantastic to see the TIN100 team also in Wellington and then in Christchurch to share the great news.

According to a preview, New Zealand’s top 200 tech companies have achieved 38 percent profitability growth in the last year alone, which is the fastest rise since the report first started tracking movement in 2005.  Additionally, the stock prices for the largest ten listed TIN100 companies by market capitalisation have risen 57.3 percent in the past year.  I can’t wait to find out more!

Last week, at the NZTech Cyber Security Summit I hosted a leader’s workshop on how to enable better information sharing so that we can all learn from the experiences of those that have been attacked.  There are all sorts of reputational risks for firms to disclose they have been hacked, but the value from sharing this information is enormous.  The answer seems to be encouraging more organisations to share with CERT, the relatively new Government agency that aggregates this information.  In a recent global analysis, the average cost of a data breach was $3.8 million.  As more firms share data with CERT in New Zealand, the real costs of poor security practices will become more apparent.  I believe that ensuring all firms are cyber secure is nationally important, so cybersecurity remains an area that NZTech continues to work closely with the Government and our membership.

I hope you enjoy the short week.

Ng? mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

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CONNECT

Join FinTechNZ’s Spring Connect events on 31 October in Wellington and 1 November in Auckland (including Annual Meeting).  Register for the New Zealand FinTech Summit on 29 November in Auckland.

The 2018 Agritech New Zealand Roadshow continues on 24 October in Auckland and 25 October in Tauranga. Join TechTalk on 25 October in Auckland and listen to TechLeader Glen Willoughby discuss his collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab.

Join the AI Forum’s Connect event on 30 October in Dunedin.  Join CanterburyTech on 6 November for talks on agritech and bio security.  CanterburyTech is also recruiting for a General Manager and an Event Coordinator.  Also, Techweek are hiring!

PROMOTE

Make the most of Expo 2020 Dubai, with NZTE’s Gulf Opportunities Showcase tomorrow in Auckland and Hamilton, 26 October in Wellington and 25 October in Christchurch.

The Edmund Hillary Fellowship presents New Frontiers 4-6 November in Wellington.  Share, explore and co-create solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.  Applications close on 26 October.

Strengthen connections in digital health at the HiNZ Conference, 21-23 November in Wellington.  Join the AI Forum at the 31st Australasian Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence 11-14 December in Wellington.

ADVANCE

Entries for the 2019 Hi-Tech Awards open on 3  December.  Attend the launch events on 28 November in Auckland,  5 December in Wellington and 6 December in Christchurch.

Is your company ready to scale up with international growth? Enter the inaugural #TechRocketshipANZ Awards.  Entries close 23 November.

Save these 2019 event dates; Tech Marketers conference on 28 February, AI-Day on 28 March and Techweek 20-26 May.  Save the date for the 2019 Hi-Tech Awards Gala Dinner on 24 May in Auckland.

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

15
Oct

NZTech Update – BioTech, Blockchain and GovTech

Georgia Taylor
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NZTech Newsletter

Kia Ora

Last week was particularly busy.  It began with the Board meeting for the relaunched Blockchain Association and finished with Blockworks, which is the best blockchain event I have ever attended.

During the week I also attended the Board meeting for BIOTechNZ and later listened to Minister Parker share his extensive biotech experience and hopes for biotech in New Zealand.  As a country we are on the cusp of a biotech production surge.

The week also included a meeting with major participants in the FoodTech space as some of the major food producers, food innovation networks, universities and local/central governments came together to start building a strong, national ecosystem.

Momentum is also building in Wellington with GovTech.  I met with a burgeoning group who are creating an inclusive, neutral group for GovTech, however there are still more critical stakeholders needed around the table.  By working together with a Government that has proven its desire to be agile and do things differently we can collaborate to improve the way technology is procured and help agencies design innovative new services for citizens.  Ideally, we can also sell some of these offerings into the rapidly growing $600 billion GovTech market.

With initiatives like the Lightning Lab GovTech Accelerator, the new Government Marketplace and service innovation labs it is clear there is desire to do something better throughout the New Zealand Government and tech sector.  However, occasionally we still see procurement processes or RFP’s that resemble times of old.  IT Professionals, NZRise and NZTech continue to work in close partnership with DIA’s GCDO team and the MBIE procurement team to improve the efficiencies and fairness of the system.  Please remember, we can only address what we are told about, so if you come across something that isn’t working well, make sure you let us know.

This week’s highlight will be the Cyber Security Summit in Wellington that we are hosting with our event partner Conferenz.  The recent CERT report shows that cyber threats are continuing to grow, so the conference brings the experts together to share best practice.  I hope to see you there.

Ng? mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

This week!

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CONNECT

Join FinTechNZ’s Spring Connect events on 31 October in Wellington and 1 November in Auckland.  Register for the New Zealand FinTech Summit on 29 November in Auckland.

The 2018 Agritech New Zealand Roadshow continues.  Register to attend this free event on 16 October in Lincoln, 19 October in Dunedin, 23 October in Hamilton, 24 October in Auckland and 25 October in Tauranga.

Join the AI Forum’s Connect event on 30 October in Dunedin.  Learn more about the AI Forum’s 2019 research project and how you can be involved, Towards Our Intelligent Future: New Zealand’s AI Roadmap.

PROMOTE

Entries for the 2019 Hi-Tech Awards open on 3  December.  Be inspired by previous winners at the launch events on 28 November in Auckland,  5 December in Wellington and 6 December in Christchurch.

Attend Leveraging Spatial Data for New Zealand Agriculture on 8 November in Hamilton.  Attend the Geospatial Careers Symposium on 17 November in Auckland.  Join SIBA for The Diversity Agenda on 24 October in Wellington.

Make the most of Expo 2020 Dubai, with NZTE’s Gulf Opportunities Showcase on 24 October in Auckland and Hamilton, 26 October in Wellington and 25 October in Christchurch.  Register to reserve your free ticket.

ADVANCE

CanterburyTech are currently recruiting for a General Manager.  The Techweek team are also hiring!  They are currently recruiting for a Community Coordinator, Festival Coordinator and a Project Administrator.

Is your company ready to scale up with international growth? Enter the inaugural #TechRocketshipANZ Awards.  Entries close 23 November.  In case you missed it, Marketplace, the digital procurement channel for Government, is now live.

Save the date for the New Zealand Tech Alliance end of year celebrations, 29 November in Auckland and 4 December in Wellington.  Submissions on the NCEA review close on Friday. Attend the 2018 New Zealand Spatial Awards this week in Wellington.

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

09
Oct

NZ on cusp of world-first biotech production surge

Georgia Taylor
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Media Release

New Zealand’s biotech industry is on the cusp of a massive surge, boosting the economy and exports through the growth of new world technologies, including the use of gene technology, BiotechNZ executive director Dr Zahra Champion says.

The OECD has estimated the potential contribution of the bio-economy to New Zealand’s GDP will climb to $NZ182 billion by 2030. Champion says biology and technology are merging to form exciting new solutions which will benefit New Zealand.

“Biotech is growing exponentially in many areas including the revolution in gene editing technologies which will play a big part in the future of many sectors including healthcare, agriculture and conservation,” she says.

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08
Oct

NZTech Update – Why regional tech is important

Georgia Taylor
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NZTech News, NZTech Newsletter

Kia Ora

Last week I found myself passing through several regional towns as I headed to Taupo to present at a conference.  Some like Matamata, Rotorua and Taupo were vibrant and busy with tourists.  Others, like Tokoroa, are showing the signs of tougher times with peeling paint and shops shut along the main road.  You have to visit regional New Zealand to really appreciate why the provincial growth fund is so important.

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03
Oct

New incentive will boost NZ tech growth

Georgia Taylor
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Media Release, NZTech News

The new research and development tax incentive introduced today by the government will go a long way to helping inject even more growth into the tech sector, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says.

Given the aim of introducing an R&D tax incentive was to support a broader range of eligible firms, it was excellent to see that the government has listened through the consultation process and taken on board advice to reduce the minimum level to $50,000 and increase the rate to 15 percent, Muller says.

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01
Oct

Report due soon will have positive implications for NZ

Georgia Taylor
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FinTech, Industry News, Media Release

Any day now the Royal Commission will release its initial findings into its first ever review of the integrity systems of New Zealand’s financial system.

The review covers New Zealand’s financial institutions along with industry bodies, regulators, dispute resolution schemes and the payments and settlement system.

FintechNZ general manager James Brown says the report will have implications for New Zealand, though he says it is encouraging to see the proactive positive work being done already by New Zealand’s major banks.

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01
Oct

NZTech Update – Developing work ready skills

Georgia Taylor
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NZTech Newsletter

Kia Ora

This weekend, I reviewed the preliminary results from the recent Internship Survey as part of the Digital Skills Forum work to address the ongoing skills challenges we all face.  With 500 responses the survey provides a statistically significant sample size which will allow the Digital Skills Forum members (NZTech, IT Professionals, NZRise, MBIE, DIA, Ministry of Education and TEC) to use it to develop real solutions.

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26
Sep

Blockworks to unveil how NZ business is rapidly changing

Jackie Clark
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Media Release, NZTech News

Auckland – Blockworks, clearly the biggest and most significant event to consider the benefits and impacts of the burgeoning blockchain technology in New Zealand, will be held in Auckland on October 12.

Blockworks will showcase how blockchain technology is transforming business, government and society through supply chain, smart city development, digital identity, finance and transport.

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24
Sep

NZTech Update – Creating a collaborative partnership

Jackie Clark
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NZTech Newsletter

Last week’s update on the CTO role got a few people excited!  I guess my frustration came through strong as I spent most of last Monday dealing with media, including a good chat on RadioNZ and NewstalkZB.  As the week progressed, I had feedback from multiple people, including many who applied for the CTO role, offering support to get on with the development of a national strategy.

On Thursday, the NZTech Board strategy planning day looked forward for the next three to five years.  We considered the future of NZTech and the potential role it can play in helping make New Zealand more prosperous.  Discussion included the Chief Technology Advisor role and we formed the opinion that the Government is still a critical component.  So while we do plan to push ahead and develop a national technology strategy, we will work hard to do this with Government.

Over the past few years, NZTech and the Government have been collaborating incredibly well. With MBIE’s support we have been able to grow Techweek to help inspire more people about the potential of technology and showcase our best technology to the world.  The collaboration has extended to working with NZ Story and NZTE to develop the Upstarters campaign promoting New Zealand tech to the world.  We have also collaborated with the Ministry of Education on digital technology in the school curricula, plus work with the Digital Skills Forum and the inclusion of digital as a core tenant of the trade agenda.  It is our intention to build on this collaboration and help align our energies on this important subject.

After consideration, it seems like a good option for the Government to appoint a Chief Technology Advisor as a partner with the Chief Science Advisor.  Place them together, with resourcing, allowing them to determine who does what in areas of crossover.  NZTech could collaborate with this partnership to help provide breadth and depth of information.

If you reached out last week and I haven’t replied yet, please bear with me as I work through everyone’s messages.  Thank you for your support and I look forward to our continued work to help make New Zealand more prosperous underpinned by technology.

Nga mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

PS:  Next month, the Blockworks conference showcases practical applications of Blockchain technology.  We have secured a $100 discount for NZTech members.  Use this promo code: NZTECH-Guests.

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CONNECT

Discover emerging AgriTech.  Join the 2018 Agritech New Zealand Roadshow in October to learn more about new partnerships.  Attend this free event series in Auckland,  Hamilton, Tauranga Palmerston North, Wellington, Lincoln and Dunedin.

FinTechNZ invites you to InsurTech’s Transforming Customer Engagement in the Digital Age on 4 October in Auckland.  Request an invitation to the Blockchain South 2018 Leadership Summit and the Singapore FinTech Festival.

Join Canterbury Tech on 2 October in Christchurch.  If you missed #cantysummit18, view highlights here.  Tech Marketers meet in Wellington on Thursday.  Attend SIBA’s AGM on 27 September and secure your tickets now to the 2018 New Zealand Spatial Awards on 17 October in Wellington.

PROMOTE

Attend Helping Women Thrive in the Digital Ecosystem tomorrow in Wellington.  Also, join NeSI for Machine Learning and Supercomputing in Science in Auckland.

Make the most of Expo 2020 Dubai, with NZTE’s Gulf Opportunities Showcase in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch in October.

Last week, FinTechNZ’s James Brown commented on Amazon’s move into India’s insurance market and its likely ripple effect in New Zealand.  Attend the New Zealand FinTech Summit on 29 November in Auckland.

ADVANCE

With over 700 incidents in the last quarter, New Zealand is facing a growing number of cyber incidents as reported in CERT’s latest quarterly update.  CERT’s Cyber Smart Week is 8-12 October.  Check out their new resources and become an official partner.

Register your interest for Callaghan’s delegation to SaaStr’19 in San Jose.  Applications for NASA internships and New Zealand Space Agency scholarships close 12 October.  Entries for #TechRocketshipANZ close 23 November.

If you’re not on the New Zealand AI ecosystem map, please email the AI Forum to be included in the next update.   Save these 2019 event dates; Tech Marketers conference on 28 February, AI-Day on 28 March and Techweek 20-26 May.

Techweek is hiring!  We need a marketing executive to help deliver Techweek’19. 

20
Sep

Amazon move into India likely to have ripple effect in NZ

Jackie Clark
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FinTech

Auckland – Amazon dipping its toes into the insurance market in India may likely have ripples effects for New Zealand, which is seen as a test bed for large organisations looking to try something new.

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