Entries are now open for the 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, New Zealand’s premier technology awards programme.
The NZ Hi-Tech Awards recognise the achievers of the NZ Hi-Tech industry from the start-up and emerging categories
through to the coveted PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year, which was won this year by Seequent.
The 2022 NZ Hi-Tech Awards programme was the most successful ever with a record number of entries and a record number of
people attending the Gala Dinner held in Wellington back in August. David Downs, the Chair of the NZ Hi-Tech Trust, says
the aim of the NZ Hi-Tech Awards is to acknowledge, recognise and celebrate excellence within the New Zealand Hi-Tech
sector.
The Awards increase awareness of the contribution the tech sector makes to the New Zealand economy and the country as a
whole. “Our tech sector really has shown incredible resilience during the last few years. The sector continues to
flourish and is now the second largest export earner for the country despite the continued challenges the industry faces
around a shortage of people. This year we are pushing hard into the regions and have six launch events around the
country planned for late January and early February”. Said Downs.
This year also sees the expansion of the NZ Hi-Tech Foundation. The NZ Hi-Tech Foundation’s He Whetū Mārama Ngā Karahipi / Leading Light Scholarship Programme provides financial support for career development and advancement of New Zealand technology students, and is designed
to help increase diversity in the sector. Each year five successful applicants are awarded up to $5,000 each to cover
their tuition and living costs. “The launch of the Foundation was a great success and we are really excited to take this
to the next level in 2023 as we gain further momentum. It’s an awesome gateway to attract more people into the industry
that otherwise might not have had an opportunity and it was exciting to have some of the recipients attend the Gala
Dinner this year”. Said Downs.
The 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards entries will close on Monday the 13th of March with the Gala Dinner to announce the winners
scheduled for the 23rd of June at Te Pae in Christchurch.The 14 categories for the 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards are:PwC Hi-Tech Company of the YearASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the YearPunakaiki Fund Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the YearCallaghan Innovation Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the YearConsult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech SectorIBM Hi-Tech Inspiring IndividualXero Hi-Tech Young AchieverDuncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software SolutionBraemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware ProductKiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech ServiceSoul Machines Most Innovative Deep Tech SolutionNZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech SolutionTataki Auckland Unlimited Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Tech SolutionSpark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good
In addition to the above categories, the NZ 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 hitech.org.nz. All entries must be submitted online.Key datesEntries for the Awards will close at 5pm on Monday, 13 March 2023Finalists will be announced at simultaneous events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 5 April, 2023Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner in Christchurch on 23 June, 2023 along with the recipient of the Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Award.