World changing Kiwis win innovations awards
October 20, 2016
ARANZ Medical won the Bayer Supreme New Zealand prize at the annual New Zealand Innovation awards in Auckland tonight.
ARANZ Medical’s advanced scanning technology, silhouette, measures wound healing and ensures the right treatment is
being used to promote faster healing and more accurate diagnosis. Their scanning technology has also been applied to
creating and developing FastSCAN, a 3D scanning system that helps custom-fit orthotics and prosthetics for increased
comfort.
More than 700 entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and business people attended the awards event tonight at the Sky City
Convention Centre. A total of 21 winners and 19 highly commended awards were announced.
New Zealand Innovation Council chief executive Louise Webster says the awards event demonstrated that as a country Kiwi innovation had come of age.
“We are moving away from the no.8 wire culture of old, to a new world where resources, partnerships and funding are seen
as essential in helping Kiwi companies launch on a world stage and commercialise their innovations globally.”
“Among the winners was a wide range of innovation with technologies from Farmshed Labs with Flashmate, a breeding
detector, to 90 Seconds a cloud based video production platform. There are several winners that contribute to making the
world a better place such as the Manaiakalani programme, an innovative digital learning approach and framework for
schools to increase learning success, and Ogo Technology with their personal mobility device which uses intuitive
movement to aid mobility of its users.
Bayer New Zealand managing director Derek Bartlett says it was amazing to see the length and breadth of innovation in New Zealand.
“Clearly, innovation is alive and well in New Zealand when you look at how big these awards have become.”
The 2016 New Zealand Innovation Award winners were:
SUPREME NEW ZEALAND INNOVATOR- Sponsored by Bayer New Zealand
WINNER: ARANZ Medical - Silhouette & FastSCAN
ARANZ Medical’s Silhouette scanner is an advanced non-contact wound surveillance system that shows the rate of healing
and wound change over a period of time, allowing for better monitoring and patient care. ARANZ Medical has also
developed the FastSCAN, a 3D system that helps custom-fit orthotics and prosthetics more comfortably, and accurately,
for patients. These patented technologies are already helping patients in thirty-five countries and have been
acknowledged by the United Nations. www.aranzmedical.com
INNOVATION IN AGRIBUSINESS & ENVIRONMENT - Sponsored by KPMG
WINNER: Farmshed Labs - Flashmate
Flashmate is a touch-sensitive disposable detector which indicates when a cow is in heat and ready for breeding. It
takes the guesswork out of animal husbandry as Flashmate is easily applied in wet or dry weather with one hand, and
stays on for weeks. When the red light comes on, the cow is in heat and ready to get in calf. A green light indicates
possible pregnancy if the cow has not come into heat againwithin 25 days. The accuracy of Flashmate ensures increased
success rates with cow pregnancy, thereby increasing herds and milking
yields. Flashmate is a low-cost product that increases efficiency without altering farming work practices. The Flashmate
starts working the minute the packaging is opened and is waterproof, adhesive and recyclable.
INNOVATION IN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING - Sponsored by James & Wells
WINNER: Ogo Technology - Personal Mobility Device
The Ogo is a hands-free electric personal all-terrain transport device that enables a person with a walking disability
such as paraplegia, spina bifida, or amputation, to use the intuitive movement functions of this unique mobility aid.
The Ogo has a patented active seat control system that uses core muscle strength to engage electronic and mechanical
action to move the device. The Ogo is practical, robust and stylish. Ogo gives mobility-impaired people greater freedom,
independence and options. After many years of development, the Ogo concept was unveiled in 2015 and received very
positive responses from the media and the public. www.ogotechnology.com
Highly Commended: ARANZ Geo - Leapfrog Modelling Software
INNOVATION IN EDUCATION, TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT - Sponsored by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
WINNER: Manaiakalani Education Trust - The Manaiakalani Programme
The Manaiakalani Programme and Outreach involves an innovative digital learning approach and framework, delivering
high-end digital learning and citizenship to learners in the lower socio-economic area of Tamaki in Auckland.
Integrating parental and community support with professional development for teachers and an innovative design, the
Manaiakalani Programme has been independently verified to demonstrate that students are learning at a base rate of 1.5
times the normal NZ learning rate, with increased attendance levels and a sharp improvement in on-task behaviour.
Manaiakalani sustainably and demonstrably lifts achievement, and the persistent commitment to evaluation and a
design-based approach drives continual improvement.
Highly Commended: The Mind Lab by Unitec - Postgraduate Programme
INNOVATION IN FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - Sponsored by Paymark
WINNER: Simplicity NZ - Simplicity Kiwisaver
Simplicity has created an online KiwiSaver model that aims to reduce overheads and pass on the cost savings to
customers, meaning that they will retire with more funds as the fee savings are reinvested. Simplicity is run by a
charitable trust as a not-for-profit model. Only the costs are charged to the KiwiSaver customer. In addition,
Simplicity will donate 15% of its management revenue per annum to charity. Online-based, the Simplicity platform has
easy switching and aims to revolutionise the KiwiSaver market by giving New Zealanders options that are both financially
and socially responsible.www.simplicity.kiwi
Highly Commended: Snowball Effect
INNOVATION IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE - Sponsored by Plant & Food Research
WINNER: Fonterra - GA for Paediatric Nutrition
Breastfeeding is best for a baby’s brain development, but breastfeeding is not always possible. Breastfed babies have a
higher content of a lipid called Gangliosides or GA in their brains, and Fonterra wanted to improve the GA content of
infant formula in order to more closely mimic breast milk composition. Clinical research has demonstrated the role that
dietary GAs play in infant development. World-leading, independent expert consultants peer-reviewed the research and
generated interest in the complex milk lipids developed by Fonterra. The paediatric nutrition category is growing
globally and their scientifically substantiated trademarked NuelipidTM formula helps Fonterra access this market.
Commercial products based on this innovation programme are being launched in multiple markets under the Fonterra-owned
consumer brand Anmum™.www.fonterra.com
Highly Commended: Sunfed - Sunfed Meats
INNOVATION IN HEALTH AND SCIENCE - Sponsored by Chorus
WINNER: Volpara Health Technologies
Volpara’s software provides volumetric assessment of breast tissue density to assist radiologists when screening for
breast cancer. By quantifying the density of breast tissue, the subjective guesswork is removed, making the scanning
more effective and using lower doses of radiation than might otherwise be used during the scan. Having information about
breast density can also guide options for further imaging and patient-specific radiation doses and compression. Volpara
is improving patient experience and clinic efficiency.www.volparasolutions.com
Highly Commended: ARANZ Medical - Silhouette & FastSCAN
INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS - Sponsored by Jade Software
WINNER: ARANZ Medical - Silhouette & FastSCAN
Measuring the rate of healing of wounds and ulcers is essential in chronic conditions. ARANZ Medical’s Silhouette
scanner is an advanced non-contact wound surveillance system that shows the rate of healing and wound change over a
period of time, allowing for better monitoring and patient care. ARANZ Medical has also developed the FastSCAN, a 3D
system that helps custom-fit orthotics and prosthetics more comfortably, and accurately, for patients. These patented
technologies are already helping patients in thirty-five countries and have been acknowledged by the United Nations. www.aranzmedical.com
Highly Commended: Volpara Health Technologies
INNOVATION IN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS - Sponsored by Datamine
WINNER: Haka Tours
Haka Tours targets consumers at various stages of the tourism purchase via social media, using device-friendly
entertaining content that has minimal branding and connects emotionally with those with dreams of visiting New Zealand.
Our site helps plan tours, and showcases personal video footage of participants through our Tikipici service. The
organic shares of such video content extended our marketing and built brand preference and trust. Haka Tours has also
become a media and entertainment company with plans to enter the world of Virtual Reality. www.hakatours.com
Highly Commended: Heilala Vanilla - Co-branding & Collaborations
INNOVATION IN MEDIA, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT - Sponsored by RadioLIVE
WINNER: 90 Seconds
90 Seconds is a Cloud Video Production Service providing a marketplace and workflow platform, enabling a global
community of creators to obtain high quality, online video content produced anywhere in the world. Brands want video
content and this platform connects them with content creators, and manages the relationship online and connects with
third party applications such as stock footage, drone shots, translations and Google AdWords. 90 Seconds has also
documented its own journey in a web series called ‘Ride the Wave’. 90seconds.tv
Highly Commended:
Patternsnap
Springfree Trampoline - tgoma
INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABILITY AND CLEAN-TECH - Sponsored by Yealands Family Wines
WINNER: Stormwater360 - LittaTrap
Storm drains send plastics and other land-based waste into the oceans and waterways, causing environmental damage.
Stormwater360 have developed the LittaTrap which is a lightweight, low-cost drain insert which retains plastics and
large rubbish objects while letting water drain through. The system is self-supporting, easily maintained, and can be
emptied by hand, without the need for specialised vehicles. The LittaTrap is an accessible product that can be
flatpacked for easy transportation. Ideal for public areas such as schools, where educating the next generation about
wastewater management is an added benefit.
EMERGING NEW ZEALAND INNOVATOR - Sponsored by Regus
WINNER: Auror
Auror is a software platform that allows police and businesses to share information about crime incidents and to work
together to identify offenders. It is transforming the way Police and communities prevent and solve crime. Auror
streamlines the crime reporting process to reduce barriers to reporting crimes. Once incidents are uploaded, Auror
connects the dots to identify links between offenders and vehicles, track theft trends, generate reports on theft
activity and allow interactivity between users. Shoplifting and petrol drive-offs cost retailers millions every year but
are underreported, allowing such crimes to flourish because their low value does not match the significant time and
resources required to investigate each case. Auror has tools such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition to alert police
when offenders arrive on-site, increasing the chance of arrest. auror.co
Highly Commended:
CricHQ
Linewize
INNOVATION EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH - Sponsored by Auckland University of Technology
WINNER: Sunfed - Sunfed Meats
Sunfed is a high protein food system to make ‘meat’ directly from plants. Using clean technology, proteins are taken
from plants and turned into Sunfed Meats that taste, feel
and cook like animal meat, but is a healthier environmentally-friendly option. The meat substitute market is a growing
one with lifestyle trends and awareness of animal and human diseases associated with diet. Sunfed uses proprietary
technology to transform short unaligned plant protein fibres into long meaty fibres that have the sensory attributes of
meat with the health benefits of plants. Sunfed aims to bring New Zealand to the forefront of clean, green and
sustainable food production. www.sunfedfoods.com
Highly Commended:
AUT/NZA - New Zealand SKA Alliance Big Data Challenges
Avertana - Extracting Value from Industrial Waste
START-UP INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Veda
WINNER: Ligar - Ligar in the Environment
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are designed to capture specific molecules, allowing them to be filtered out of a
flow and, if desirable, extracted for reuse. Ligar can manufacture large volumes of MIPs to remove heavy metals, organic
pollutants and other molecules from waterways and fluid food and beverages. MIPs can remove substances such as
pesticides, heavy metal contaminants, and flavour taints from wine and food oils. It can also extract or solate highly
valuable molecules from plant extracts. MIPs have existed since the 1970s for identifying molecules but the innovation
of large scale production is a game-changer for the food and beverage industries.www.ligarpolymers.com
Highly Commended:
OnSide
Wine Grenade
EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL INNOVATION - Sponsored by Yellow
WINNER: Manaiakalani Education Trust - The Manaiakalani Programme
The Manaiakalani Programme and Outreach involves an innovative digital learning approach and framework, delivering
high-end digital learning and citizenship to learners in the lower socio-economic area of Tamaki in Auckland.
Integrating parental and community support with professional development for teachers and an innovative design, the
Manaiakalani Programme has been independently verified to demonstrate that students are learning at a base rate of 1.5
times the normal NZ learning rate, with increased attendance levels and a sharp improvement in on-task behaviour.
Manaiakalani sustainably and demonstrably lifts achievement, and the persistent commitment to evaluation and a
design-based approach drives continual improvement. www.manaiakalani.org
Highly Commended
Countdown - The Foodbank Project
KiwiHarvest
INNOVATION IN MAORI DEVELOPMENT - Sponsored by Poutama Trust
WINNER: Squiggle - Young Engineers
The Young Engineers programme teaches young people about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in English,
Hindi and Te Reo Māori, using practical activities and theoretical learning to develop problem-solving, creative
critical thinking and communication skills. Students also learn that failure, trial and error, are essential to
development processes. Squiggle has also launched the Young Animators programme, encouraging 2D and 3D animation skills
in young children. Squiggle is removing barriers to learning through language, and by the use of portable container
classrooms that make it easier for students to access the programmes. www.squiggle.org.nz
EXPORT INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
WINNER: Zespri - SunGold Kiwifruit
When the New Zealand kiwifruit industry was decimated by a vine-killing pathogen six years ago, new bacteria-resistant
cultivars were immediately developed, utilising resources committed to the crisis by Zespri, Plant and Food Research
(PFR), and the government. The resulting Zespri SunGold kiwifruit has been a stunning commercial success, delivering
over a billion dollars of sales, and is on target to generate about $40 billion over its Plant Variety Rights (PVR)
life. SunGold is popular with consumers around the world, driving up demand, earning premium prices and generating value
for growers, and allowing the kiwifruit industry to recover. Zespri has now licensed SunGold to be globally grown to
ensure year-round supplies, and continues to invest millions annually into kiwifruit varieties for commercialisation. www.zespri.com
MOST INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL - Sponsored by 3M
WINNER: Jenene Crossan - Flossie.com
Jenene has over twenty-one years’ experience in the digital arena and has founded a number of well-known digital brands.
She is constantly creating, inventing, failing, learning and investing in new ideas and progress. Jenene has worked in
project management and web development from a young age, launching a number of online social magazines, often with a
focus on women. Jenene believes progress comes from insight, curiosity and listening to
customer experiences. Her track record has attracted major investors over the years and she continues to develop new
digital projects such as ‘Flossie’. Jenene’s core belief is that innovation comes from people who are comfortable with
change and their own vulnerability, who have a willingness to be wrong and do things differently, and who ‘just keep on
starting’. www.jenenecrossan.com
SUSTAINED INNOVATION EXCELLENCE - Sponsored by Sovereign
WINNER: Zespri - SunGold Kiwifruit
When the New Zealand kiwifruit industry was decimated by a vine-killing pathogen six years ago, new bacteria-resistant
cultivars were immediately developed, utilising resources committed to the crisis by Zespri, Plant and Food Research
(PFR), and the government. The resulting Zespri SunGold kiwifruit has been a stunning commercial success, delivering
over a billion dollars of sales, and is on target to generate about $40 billion over its Plant Variety Rights (PVR)
life. SunGold is popular with consumers around the world, driving up demand, earning premium prices and generating value
for growers, and allowing the kiwifruit industry to recover. Zespri has now licensed SunGold to be globally grown to
ensure year-round supplies, and continues to invest millions annually into kiwifruit varieties for commercialisation. www.zespri.com
YOUNG NEW ZEALAND INNOVATOR – sponsored by YOUNG NEW ZEALAND INNOVATOR – Sponsored by MOTAT
WINNER: Jamie Beaton - Crimson Education
Jamie Beaton is an evangelist for data-driven self-improvement and his educational model relies on tutoring from experts
in their field, and mentoring students towards lofty educational goals. Acquiring Angel investor capital of NZD$1.4
million to launch, Crimson Education has already returned that investment twenty-fold, as the company expands and
attracts heavy investment from the USA. Jamie believes in getting your education from the ‘best tutor available’ instead
of taking chances with the teacher at your local school. Learning outside the classroom meant Jamie could learn five
times faster. His results-driven methodology is appealing to students, parents and investors. Jamie is about to complete
two concurrent degrees at Harvard and is working towards a Master’s Degree in Applied Financial Mathematics. He is a
driven, energetic negotiator and likes to make things happen.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE - Sponsored by Idealog
WINNER: ASB Bank - ASB Clever Kash
In an increasingly cashless society, parents find it harder to teach their children about money and savings. The ASB’s
Innovation Lab and Marketing, and its partners, collaborated on the Clever Kash cashless moneybox that lets parents give
children pocket money without the need for cash. This connects kids to their savings through interactivity as children
‘swipe’ virtual notes and coins into their savings account with the Clever Kash app. Clever Kash embodies the ASB vision
of innovation, technology, marketing, respect for our heritage and delivering a competitive advantage. www.cleverkash.asb.co.nz
Runner Up: Pop-Up Globe
2nd Runner Up: Educa
ends