The New Zealand Tech Alliance is a group of independent technology associations from across New Zealand that work together to ensure a strong voice for technology.
Visit Tech Alliance
NZTech Inform – Growing Innovation With Agritech
Last week, the Government announced a pivot to Industry Transformation Plans. This is a new approach to industry policy, aimed at growing more innovative industries in New Zealand and lifting the productivity of our key sectors. According to MBIE, the plans will be industry led and Government supported. The new priority sectors identified are: Food/Beverage, Agritech, Digital Tech, and Forestry. Tourism, Creative Industries, Aerospace, Renewable Energy and Health Tech are scheduled for next year. For the New Zealand Tech Alliance this is big news because technology underpins almost all of the industry transformation opportunities for all of these sectors. Immediately following the announcement last week, I shared my enthusiasm with TV One News. Agritech New Zealand has already been collaborating on a draft strategy for growing the economic impact of agritech on New Zealand. NZTech will also be supporting other groups as planning starts for digital tech, food tech, creative tech, health tech and more.
Also last week, the release of an updated New Zealand Cyber Security Strategy was well attended by industry and Government. During question time, we discussed international partnerships/agreements, the growing shortage of security professionals and raising the understanding of cybersecurity from the moment kids begin school. While many actions continue from the 2015 plan, further consultation will be undertaken by the National Cyber Policy Office (NCPO) to identify new ways for government, the education system and industry to partner to ensure New Zealand stays cyber safe.
This week begins with meetings to help improve trade support for tech firms. Tomorrow, in Wellington, I have the pleasure of catching up with the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO), Paul James and the GCDO team to share insights from my recent meetings in the Netherlands, including meeting the Dutch GCIO.
The IoT Alliance has its Annual General Meeting this week. BlockchainNZ and Agritech New Zealand also have their Board meetings. My week concludes with a visit from a Korean delegation interested in our tech sector. Somewhere during the week, I also hope to squeeze in a mountain bike ride!
Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
PS: Don’t forget to register to attend our AGM and member only event on 25 July in Auckland.
CONNECT
Join Digital Identity NZ and FinTechNZ on 11 July in Wellington and 18 July in Auckland.
Meet EROAD’s Jarred Clayton tomorrow at NZSA’s next event in Auckland.
Join the AI Forum on 24 July in Wellington and 30 July in Auckland for a discussion on increasing AI adoption.
PROMOTE
Save the date for the annual Indo-Pacific Dialogue: Beyond 2020 on 15 August in Auckland. Business leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers collaborate on critical areas of trade and investment.
Explore digital identity issues, challenges and opportunities at Identity Conference 2019 – Identity as taonga: now and in the future, 26-27 August in Wellington.
The Indonesian Embassy is hosting the first Pacific Exposition, 11-14 July in Auckland. Attend Massey’s ecentre Innovation Showcase 2019 on 8 August in Auckland.
ADVANCE
Join us this month for The Great Ageism Debate in Tech. Help us decide who the real disruptors and true leaders are. Register to attend our AGM and member only event on 25 July in Auckland.
Callaghan Innovation is requesting proposals for incubators with deep tech commercialisation experience. The proposal deadline is 4 October. The 2019 AmCham-DHL Express Success and Innovation Awards is 23 August in Auckland.
FinTechNZ is taking contributions for The Future of Cash Use submission for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, until 25 July. If you would like to contribute, please contact us for further information and access to the consultation document.
Have you joined the free online platform
Scale-Up New Zealand?
