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NZTech Inform – Techweek19’s programme reveal!
Kia ora Readers,
Research and Development (R&D) tax credits launch today, which spells the start of quite a considerable change for many NZTech firms. Many will now be on the journey to the end of a Callaghan Innovation growth grant which are currently scheduled for completion by 31 March 2021. Others will be concerned about software definitions and wondering whether the work they are doing will be considered R&D. Some firms will be trying to understand the R&D tax loss cash out scheme. For more information on the R&D tax credits visit the MBIE site.
Given the importance of software development for New Zealand’s economic growth, we remain concerned that the definition of software may exclude a range of businesses undertaking legitimate software R&D activities. However, the Government also acknowledges the importance of software development for the New Zealand economy and has committed to further work on complex issues such as this, as the scheme is established.
Tomorrow, I am in Wellington joining Minister Robertson, Kirk Hope from BusinessNZ, Richard Wagstaff from the Council of Trade Unions and others at the Tripartite Future of Work Forum strategy development session. There is a focus on the future of the ICT sector and its role in the future of work.
Next week, if you’re in Wellington and are interested in what local and central Government are doing, or planning on doing with tech, check out the MBIE and DIA All-of-Government Showcase on 9 April.
Following last week’s Techweek19 programme launch there has been a growing number of events going live on the techweek.co.nz site with 95 events already planned around New Zealand. Check out techweek.co.nz/whats-on to plan your week, or techweek.co.nz to submit your event.
Also, congratulations to this year’s finalists in the NZ Hi-Tech Awards, we can’t wait for the winners to be announced. Don’t forget to secure your tickets to the Gala Dinner on 24 May in Auckland, during Techweek19.
Have a great week!
Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
CONNECT
Join Canterbury Tech’s Memorial Event on 2 April, with special tribute to Atta Elayyan and Syed Jahandad Ali. Also, save the date for the Canterbury Tech Summit on 12 September.
Join Agritech New Zealand, BIOTechNZ and the New Zealand IoT Alliance at the April Tech Alliance event series on 9 April in Christchurch, 10 April in Wellington and 11 April in Auckland.
Join NZSA on 9 April in Auckland for a discussion on what the R&D tax incentive changes mean for software firms. Attend Automation for Business on 23 May in Auckland.
PROMOTE
Join EdTechNZ and TechWomen on 13 June in Wellington, 20 June in Auckland and 26 June in Christchurch to discuss how to achieve diversity in the tech sector. Registrations opening soon.
Curious about Virtual and Augmented Reality?
Attend Tech Disrupters on Wednesday in Wellington. Also on Wednesday, Taking Tech to the USA in Auckland.
Attend the Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ)T-Tech19 conference, 6-7 May in Christchurch. Save the date the New Zealand Esri User Conference, 12-14 August in Auckland.
ADVANCE
Attend the Changing Face of Government Procurement on 8 April in Auckland and 9 April in Wellington. Help us understand the cost of doing business with the New Zealand Government via their tender process, by completing NZRise’s annual survey.
Agritech New Zealand’s Peter Wren-Hilton explains why substantial growth is expected in the local sector this year. Join Peter on 24 May for Techweek TV’swebcast, Automation in Agritech – where to from here?
Applications for Lightning Lab Tourism close today. Lightning Lab GovTechis accepting applications for its July 2019 cohort. Copyright Act Reviewsubmissions close on Friday. Be part of Scale-Up New Zealand, a free online platform for our innovation ecosystem.
Meet the UpStarters and learn more about our tech and innovation story.
