Entries open for 2017 NZ Hi-Tech Awards

Entries open for 2017 NZ Hi-Tech Awards

Thursday 8 December 2016, Auckland – Entries are now open for the 2017 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, New Zealand’s premier technology event.

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 2016 by Vista Group.

Additional categories recognise excellence in the product sectors covering software, services, hardware, mobile, creative and Agritech, as well as Maori Innovation, which was a new category in 2016 and drew a record number of entrants.

Wayne Norrie, 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 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 2016 Awards programme has been the most successful to date, with a record number of new entrants and more than 900 people attending the sold-out Gala Awards Dinner. We are looking to continue this momentum as we open for the 2017 Awards which will culminate with the Gala Dinner on the 12th May next which will be a fitting finale to Techweek ’17 which is being run by NZ Tech and supported by ATEED, MBIE, NZTE and WREDA.”

“For 2017 we’ve refined some of the entry criteria to make the awards more accessible to a greater number of companies. Also new for 2017 is that people now have the opportunity to nominate companies and individuals that they think are worthy of entering,” says Norrie.

Norrie said that one of the reasons that the Hi-Tech Awards are held in such high regard is the expertise and vigour of the judging panels.

“Entries are securely reviewed by our high-profile panels of local and international judges. Details for the 2017 judging panels will be announced early in the New Year,” says Norrie.

The 13 categories for the 2017 NZ Hi-Tech Awards are:

· PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year

· Coretex Hi-Tech Emerging Company

· NZVIF Hi-Tech Start-up Company

· Callaghan Innovation Maori Innovation Award

· Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Product

· New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Product

· Quick Circuit Most Innovative Mobile Technology Product

· Kiwibank Communications Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service

· IBM Most Innovative Company

· ATEED Most Innovative Creative Technology Product

· Endace Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product

· Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever

· Qual IT Best Technology Solution for the Public Sector

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 need to be submitted online.

Techweek ’17 will run from 6th -14th May. More information available at http://www.techweek.co.nz/

Key dates

· Entries for the 2017 Awards will close at 5pm on Monday, 6 March 2017

· Finalists will be announced at simultaneous events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 29 March 2017

· Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner in Auckland on 12 May 2017 along with the recipient of the 2016 Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Award.

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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.

www.hitech.org.nz

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