Entries open for 2015 NZ Hi-Tech Awards

Entries open for 2015 NZ Hi-Tech Awards
Four new categories introduced

Auckland, 5 December 2014 – Entries are now open for the 2015 NZ Hi-Tech Awards.

The Hi-Tech Awards recognise the achievers of the NZ Hi-Tech industry right from start-up and emerging through to the coveted company of the year which was won in 2014 by Orion Health. In addition, categories recognise excellence in the product space covering software, services, hardware and mobile.

The four new categories for 2015 include:
• Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Product
• Best Innovation Initiative
• Best Technology Solution for the Public Sector
• Best Technology Solution for the Creative Sector

NZ Hi-Tech Trust Chair, Wayne Norrie, “For 2015 we have revamped the categories, so as to reflect the changing nature of the industry. We’ve removed the export categories as just about every fast moving hi-tech company is or planning to export. We have brought in categories that recognise New Zealand rapid rise in the agritech and creative sectors as well as a category that recognise the great work taking place in the public sector”.

The aim of the Hi-Tech Trust is to acknowledge and recognise excellence within the New Zealand Hi-Tech industry which is the third largest export earner in the country, generating over $7 billion in annual revenue - a sector that is growing at twice the rate of the economy as a whole. The goal of the Hi-Tech Awards is to support the growth of this key industry.

Entries are securely reviewed by our high profile panels of local and international judges.

The 12 categories for the 2015 NZ Hi-Tech Awards are:
• PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year
• Cisco Hi-Tech Emerging Company
• NZVIF Hi-Tech Startup Company
• Callaghan Innovation Best Technology Solution for the Creative Sector
• Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Product
• New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Product
• UK Trade & Investment Most Innovative Mobile Technology product
• Grow Wellington Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service
• IBM Best Innovation Initiative
• Endace Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product
• Fronde Hi-Tech Young Achiever
• Best Technology Solution for the Public Sector

A full list of categories and entry criteria can be found at www.hitech.org.nz. All entries are submitted online.

Key dates
• Entries for the 2015 Awards will close at 5pm on 2nd March 2015
• Finalists will be announced at simultaneous events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 25th March 2015
• Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner in Wellington on 15th May 2015

About the NZ Hi-Tech Trust
Established in 2009, The New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation. It is responsible for running the NZ Hi-Tech Awards programme, including the Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Awards, and conducting other programmes of work for the benefit of the industry. www.hitech.org.nz

ENDS

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