Entries open for 2018 NZ Hi-Tech Awards

Entries open for 2018 NZ Hi-Tech Awards

• Strong focus on diversity
• New categories added

Wednesday 6 December 2017, Auckland – Entries are now open for the 2018 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, New Zealand’s premier technology awards programme.

The Hi-Tech Awards recognise the achievers of the NZ Hi-Tech industry from the start-up and emerging categories through to the coveted PwC Company of the Year,which was won in 2017 by Pushpay.

The categories for the 2018 Awards have been revised with the addition of two new categories. One to recognise inspiring leadership, while the other recognises an outstanding contribution to the local tech sector by an overseas headquartered company. The Public Sector category has also been expanded to encompass solutions developed for the wider public good. This category is being sponsored for the first time by Visa.

Jen Rutherford, NZ Hi-Tech Trust Chair, says the aim of the Hi-Tech Awards is to acknowledge, recognise and celebrate excellence within the New Zealand Hi-Tech industry, which is now the third largest export earner in the country and the fastest growing export sector. The Awards increase the awareness of the contribution the tech sector makes to the New Zealand economy and the country as a whole.

“The 2017 Awards programme was the most successful ever, with a record number of entries and more than 900 people attending the sold-out Gala Awards Dinner. We are looking to continue this momentum as we open for the 2018 Awards and look forward to the Gala Dinner on the 25th May next year, which we are really excited to take back to Christchurch. It will be a fitting finale to NZ Tech’s Techweek ’18.”

“For 2018 we’ve changed out a couple of the categories and revised the entry criteria to ensure we have a major focus on diversity and inclusion. Not only do we want companies to be conscious of where they are now from a diversity perspective but critically where are they heading in terms of promoting and encouraging diversity in their workplace. We also encourage people to nominate companies and individuals that they think are worthy entrants” says Rutherford.

The 13 categories for the 2018 NZ Hi-Tech Awards are:
• PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year
• Coretex Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the year
• NZVIF Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the year
• Callaghan Innovation Maori Innovation
• Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution
• NZTE Best Hi-Tech for the Agritech Sector
• Quick Circuit Best Contribution by an Internationally Headquartered Company
• Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service
• IBM Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual of the Year
• ATEED Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Creative Sector
• Endace Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product
• Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever of the year
• Visa IT Best Technology Solution for the Public Good
In addition to the above categories, the Hi-Tech Awards will also recognise a new Flying Kiwi who will be inducted into the Tait Communications Hi-Tech Hall of Fame.
A full list of categories and entry criteria can be found at www.hitech.org.nz. All entries must be submitted online.
Techweek ’18 will run from 19th - 27th May. More information is available at http://www.techweek.co.nz/
Key dates
· Entries for the 2018 Awards will close at 5pm on Monday, 5 March 2018
· Finalists will be announced at simultaneous events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 28 March, 2018
· Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner inChristchurch on 25 May, 2018 along with the recipient of the 2018 Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Award.

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