The stories at our last two dinner evenings couldn’t have been more different, but they shared a common theme. In December, Greg Cross from Soul Machines spoke about the global scene for AI, and their world leading Human Computing Engine. In February, Ross Brown from Wine-Searcher shared their experiences of growing into the #1 most influential wine website in the USA, and possibly the world. Their situations, approaches to the global market, investment strategies, etc are completely different, and both are highly successful. It is exciting that two very different businesses can grow to global prominence from their foundation in New Zealand.

The common theme I took away was that NZ is now a great place to grow globally significant businesses, built on software capability. I’m biased of course, but it’s a view shared by many around the world. One of the telling quotes in MBIE’s 2017 ICT Sector report was from Bloomberg’s Hello World series: New Zealand’s Rise as a Tech Giant…

“No. 8 wire culture is still strong. But this country of 4.5 (sic) million people has started to churn out some awfully polished, extraordinary products. These are not … people doing their best to get by with what they have on hand. They’re world-class technological achievements— the work of a well-educated, creative people bent on competing on the world stage. Improvisation has given way to a much more methodical, ambitious form of invention.”

NZ has changed from a place for the world to harvest great ideas and creativity, to a place people want to be for innovation and unleashing creativity. We are attracting both talent and investment at an accelerating rate. Twenty seven percent of all R&D in NZ is in the software sector - this is larger than every other sector of the economy.

The headlines and numbers sound fantastic, but the real stories are by the businesses and people that are making it happen. 2018 is going to be another year of amazing stories, and we’re looking forward to sharing them at our regular dinner events.

Roger Ford
President, NZSA

March: 13 March, Sandy Mamoli, Nomad8: Creating Great Teams - How Self-Selection Lets People Excel

April: 10 April - save the date

A reminder that our networking dinners are held on the second Tuesday of every month from February through to December.

Government to 'widen' search for chief technology officer after none of 60 candidates convinces
The search for a "chief technology officer" to lead New Zealand's digital future will take longer than expected after the Government decided that no-one who applied for the job scrubbed up. Read more

Kiwi-led blockchain innovation declares war on paid reviews
New Zealand tech experts are leading a launch for the internet's first ever blockchain platform for online ratings, where good reviewers could be paid in a new kind of cryptocurrency.  Several Kiwi tech heavy-hitters have been involved in the platform's development, including NZ chief executive of the year Leigh Flounders, and NZTech and FintechNZ chair Mitchell Pham. Read more

AI-DAY
Wednesday March 28th, 2018. ASB Waterfront Theatre. Auckland. AI-DAY is a full day conference for leaders in every sector, the Instigators of Change keen to learn how AI will impact their organisation and the world around them. Check out who’s speaking and get your ticket today.

Internet of Manufacturing Conference, Chicago, June 2018
Join Callaghan Innovation on an international business delegation to the Internet of Manufacturing Conference in Chicago in June 2018.
Connect with the latest trends in the US manufacturing industry as it moves towards a new industrial age – the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). You’ll also get an exclusive inside look at leading Midwest factories and meet some of the new trendsetters in America. #IoTMan Register your interest

Data loss of Uber proportions
New Zealand privacy law does not – currently – require a business to notify its customers when their personal data has been compromised. This is likely to change. Read more

Realise more from your sales and marketing activity
Kiwi technology needs to sell smarter if it is to become the country’s largest export industry, according to the latest Market Measures report. NZSA members can purchase the full report at the discounted price of $70 (full price $375) by contacting admin for the promo code.

We're delighted to welcome these new individual and company members who have joined since our last newsletter.

Individual
Prasada Boddapati
Nicky Laurenzi
Izania Downie

Company
NetPotential was founded by Director Tim Thomas in 2003 and provides web design and development services to a range of clients.

Mahuta Digital is a new Whangarei based web integration, web and mobile development business which produces innovative, robust and extensible software solutions for clients.