And the Hi Tech Awards finalists are ...

And the Hi Tech Awards finalists are ...

Judges for this year's WestpacTrust Hi Tech Awards were taken aback at the world-class quality of many of the entries received for the ten Award categories.

With the entry deadline now closed there's just over two weeks to go until the presentation of the awards takes place at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch on Saturday 2nd November. Details of the ceremony, accompanying events and reservations can be found at http:// http://www.hitech.org.nz.

Three award categories in particular were very popular and proved a tough challenge for the judges to decide the finalists. The most entered categories were: Most Innovative Product, Hi Tech Exporter and High Growth Company of the Year Awards.

In previous years judges kept secret all details of the highly commended and award category winners until the night of the ceremony. This year the panel of judges are announcing finalists prior to the ceremony to recognise the high calibre of entries submitted by the many inspirational organisations within NZ's growing hi tech industry.

The 15 company finalists and 6 Young Achiever finalists of the WestpacTrust Hi Tech Awards 2002 follow. Some of these companies are finalists in more than one category. The winners and the awards categories entered will be announced at the ceremony.

Award Category Finalists

Allied Telesyn Research
Broadcast MAP
Connexionz
IRL Biopharm
iTouch Business Mobility
iTouch Technology Solutions
KeyGhost
Navman
Niche Software
PayGlobal
Peace Software
Prolificx
Pulse Data
Right Hemisphere
Zeacom

Young Achiever Award finalists:
Kent Barber of Right Hemisphere
Peter Brown of Nightside Test Design
Hugh Malan of Right Hemisphere
Adrian McGrath of Brylton Software
Tony Sinclair of iTouch Business Mobility
Matt Smith of Hindin Communications

"We were very pleased with the entries this year," said Marion Rogers, Chair of the Judging Panel. "There is a large amount of innovation clearly evident within our hi tech industry - especially in mobile solutions, software and electronics."

"All the finalists demonstrated strong customer focus, innovation and commitment to meeting the needs of the market. Their entries followed the judging criteria and presented content that defined impact with real data and information. Their entries were also often supported by references and case studies."

"It was a pleasure to discover the quality of innovation produced and exported by New Zealand. Many companies are clearly benefiting from employing better marketing techniques to help sell their product overseas."

The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony in Christchurch on Saturday 2 November.

About the WestpacTrust Hi Tech Awards for Excellence 2002

Now in its ninth year, the WestpacTrust Hi Tech Awards 2002 have become one of the most prestigious accolades in New Zealand's business community. They are a reflection of the tremendous achievements, innovation and export triumphs increasingly evident within our hi-tech industry.

In total there are ten award categories plus the ultimate prize of the WestpacTrust Supreme Award for Excellence. The Award categories are:

Electronic Company of the Year sponsored by Avnet New Zealand
Software Company of the Year sponsored by Microsoft New Zealand
Biotech Company of the Year sponsored by Biolab Biosciences
Young Achiever sponsored by Adilam Electronics
Hi Tech Export Company of the Year sponsored by Trade New Zealand
Most Innovative Product of the Year sponsored by Precision Australia
Deal of the Year sponsored by Tyco Electronics
High Growth Company of the Year sponsored by Morel & Co
Small Business of the Year sponsored by Navman
Investment in People sponsored by Arrow Components

Last year, the winner of the WestpacTrust Supreme Award for Excellence 2001 was Orion Systems. Other award winners for 2001 included: Protemix Corporation, Right Hemisphere, Peace Software, Ericsson Data Services, R&D Solutionz, Tacit Group, Ericsson Data Services, Orion and Genesis Research & Development Corporation.

This year the Awards comprise three events kicking off with the Bright Sparks Awards and cocktail function on the evening of Friday 1 November held at and sponsored by The Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

The next morning, on Saturday 2 November, there will be an Industry Forum and lunch with prominent speakers at the Rydges Hotel. This excellent learning and networking opportunity, which is jointly sponsored by Industry New Zealand and the Canterbury Development Corporation, will be followed by the Awards dinner at the Antarctic Centre.

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