Chris Keall is the technology editor and a senior business writer for the NZ Herald.
Chris has spent more than 20 years as a business and technology journalist. His past roles included editor of NZ PC World, editor of Internet Magazine, editor of home theatre and gadget title >>FFWD and technology editor for NBR. He has a BA from the University of Auckland and is the author of two books published by HarperCollins, including Download: The Internet Made Easy. His awards include the Magazine Publishers’ Association Business Magazine Editor of the Year. You can contact Chris at chris.keall@nzme.co.nz.
![CrowdStrike chaos: Microsoft’s tone-deaf ‘less than 1%’ post](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
CrowdStrike chaos: Microsoft’s tone-deaf ‘less than 1%’ post
That tiny percentage included your bank and your supermarket.
![Full IT restoration could take days, concern for ongoing NZ bank payment issues](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Full IT restoration could take days, concern for ongoing NZ bank payment issues
Experts say the global outage was of historic proportions.
![Twice the bonus for women: Rocket Lab defends recruitment referral programme](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Twice the bonus for women: Rocket Lab defends recruitment referral programme
Space company wants to boost the number of women in its workforce.
!['One of NZ's largest data centres’ – rich-lister saves failed start-up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'One of NZ's largest data centres’ – rich-lister saves failed start-up
A phoenix company, formed from the ashes of Nyriad, could cash in on the AI boom.
![Sky fast-tracks HBO’s Wild Wild Space film - featuring Rocket Lab and Sir Peter Beck](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Sky fast-tracks HBO’s Wild Wild Space film - featuring Rocket Lab and Sir Peter Beck
Steven Spielberg's Amblin is one of the production companies behind the docu-movie.
![Xero downsizes in the capital](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Xero downsizes in the capital
Datacom is also subleasing floor space in its Auckland building.
![Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown gives back](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown gives back
'The least useful adviser is someone who had a fairy-tale run.'
![After world-first brain implant, Kitea Health raising $20m](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
After world-first brain implant, Kitea Health raising $20m
“It’s not always going to be pulling milk out of a cow or getting stuff out of a tree."
![June new vehicle sales the worst in a decade, possible relief on the way](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
June new vehicle sales the worst in a decade, possible relief on the way
Utes a rare strong point in sixth straight month of falling sales.
![Self-driving e-scooter service Ario launching in West Auckland](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Self-driving e-scooter service Ario launching in West Auckland
Three-wheelers can be remote-controlled.
![Rakon investor raises new questions about failed $400m bid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Rakon investor raises new questions about failed $400m bid
There's disappointment at millions spent on takeover talks with nothing to show for it.
![Fletcher Building does Starlink. Lots of Starlink](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Fletcher Building does Starlink. Lots of Starlink
Firm finds four scenarios where Elon Musk's broadband from the skies is the best option.
![Watchdog delays $116m Serato deal decision for sixth time after DJ software firm tries new arguments](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Watchdog delays $116m Serato deal decision for sixth time after DJ software firm tries new arguments
Are founders being denied an exit, the chance to fund other start-ups? Opponent says no.
![Datacom swings back to profit, talks up AI, Aussie strength](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Datacom swings back to profit, talks up AI, Aussie strength
The CEO's verdict on the year ahead.
![‘Gut-wrenching’: Digital skills trust winds-down after govt funding ‘reprioritised’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
‘Gut-wrenching’: Digital skills trust winds-down after govt funding ‘reprioritised’
'Structured Learning' focus sees digital literacy squeezed out for first time in 34 years.
![Spark gets go-ahead for surf lagoon data centre](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Spark gets go-ahead for surf lagoon data centre
Auckland's data centre boom continues, with the Dairy Flat project given the green light.
![It's all in the pouch: Principal changes his mind on mobile phone ban](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
It's all in the pouch: Principal changes his mind on mobile phone ban
A US firm has come up with a lockable pouch - but is it practical?
![Megaupload pair banned from being company directors until 2028](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Megaupload pair banned from being company directors until 2028
Ban follows their jailing for fraud and dishonesty offences.
![Spark customers face price rises, other shoe yet to drop](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Spark customers face price rises, other shoe yet to drop
Telco the latest utility provider to increase pricing.
![Breaking B2B: Cannabis firm launches AI exchange, export services](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Breaking B2B: Cannabis firm launches AI exchange, export services
It also has a $7.5m capital raise under way.
![Ka-ching: NZ Super Fund cleans up as AI star Nvidia becomes world's most valuable firm](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Ka-ching: NZ Super Fund cleans up as AI star Nvidia becomes world's most valuable firm
But will it end in tears? A couple of cautious voices emerge.
![Report predicts export billions from cloud software – as Collins axes funding](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Report predicts export billions from cloud software – as Collins axes funding
The move comes as the industry trims jobs for the first time since 2016.
![Keep the lights on or push for AI? Kiwi CIOs' tight-budget priorities](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Keep the lights on or push for AI? Kiwi CIOs' tight-budget priorities
What's keeping decision-makers up at night?
![Netsafe's new AI tool lets you scam the scammers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Netsafe's new AI tool lets you scam the scammers
The ploy turns the tables on cyber crooks, tricking them and wasting their time.
![How the NZ Super Fund voted on Elon Musk’s US$46b pay package](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
How the NZ Super Fund voted on Elon Musk’s US$46b pay package
A split with local retail investors.
![$160m video game rebate: First recipients named after brush with death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
$160m video game rebate: First recipients named after brush with death
PLUS: How transtasman posting was halted, despite our lower kickback.
![‘NZ’s smartest teen’, now a Harvard grad, raises $6m for his AI start-up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
‘NZ’s smartest teen’, now a Harvard grad, raises $6m for his AI start-up
Hamilton Boys' High School dux takes New York.
![Rocket Lab lands $41 million in Chips Act funding](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Rocket Lab lands $41 million in Chips Act funding
Money will double production, create 100 jobs.
!['Cook in The Matrix' – Crouton creator becomes first Kiwi to win an Apple Design Award](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Cook in The Matrix' – Crouton creator becomes first Kiwi to win an Apple Design Award
A Christchurch developer's app is being used to showcase Vision Pro.
![Kiwi tech firm bucks return-to-office trend and gives up its premises](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Kiwi tech firm bucks return-to-office trend and gives up its premises
Boss doesn't get his way in a popular vote.
!['Distressing': Car dealer closures 'likely' as sales fall for fifth straight month](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Distressing': Car dealer closures 'likely' as sales fall for fifth straight month
'Even more daunting than the peak of the Global Financial Crisis.'
![Losses to cyber crime spike 84%, Cert NZ leadership in flux](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Losses to cyber crime spike 84%, Cert NZ leadership in flux
GCSB takeover continues, under-reporting dogs stats.
![Road user charges: 12,000 renegade EV owners now face fines](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Road user charges: 12,000 renegade EV owners now face fines
About 11 per cent of EV owners failed to pay up by the May 31 deadline.
![Kiwis caught in Ticketmaster 'hack', alleged Smith & Caughey’s data for sale on dark web](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Kiwis caught in Ticketmaster 'hack', alleged Smith & Caughey’s data for sale on dark web
There have been developments in two major hacking incidents.
![Alleged Ticketmaster hack: Privacy Commissioner says still no notification, expert questions if it even happened](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Alleged Ticketmaster hack: Privacy Commissioner says still no notification, expert questions if it even happened
So-called hackers say they want $820,000 in exchange for the return of the information.
![Google NZ sends almost $1b offshore, weighs impact of tax clampdown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Google NZ sends almost $1b offshore, weighs impact of tax clampdown
Google results an indication of the huge and increasing scale of its local business.
![New venture capital fund looks to invest $10m in Kiwi fintechs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
New venture capital fund looks to invest $10m in Kiwi fintechs
First three investments made, sees hope in new open data law.
!['No leadership': How tech fared in Budget 2024](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'No leadership': How tech fared in Budget 2024
Plus: Telecommunications sees only one small initiative — and it's a cut.
![Failed aquabike maker Manta5 owes Callaghan Innovation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Failed aquabike maker Manta5 owes Callaghan Innovation
The first liquidators' report shows money is owed to staff, the IRD and manufacturers.
![Dyson exec, Rocket Lab man back Hamilton electric motorbike maker](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Dyson exec, Rocket Lab man back Hamilton electric motorbike maker
First raising millions for a new model ahead of a push across the Tasman.
!['World's first electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel' hits Auckland Harbour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'World's first electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel' hits Auckland Harbour
The runabout is seen as the stepping stone to a 100-passenger vessel.
![What the tech sector wants from Budget 2024](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
What the tech sector wants from Budget 2024
New Zealand is falling behind in key areas of technology, those in the sector say.
![RUCs for EVs: Many yet to sign up, with deadline just days away](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
RUCs for EVs: Many yet to sign up, with deadline just days away
The move will roughly double EV owners' running costs.
!['Surcharge swindle': Are you getting ripped off when you tap-and-go?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Surcharge swindle': Are you getting ripped off when you tap-and-go?
The good news is that two possible fixes are in the works.
![Rockets, sewerage, AI: Three big 2024 Hi-Tech Awards winners](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Rockets, sewerage, AI: Three big 2024 Hi-Tech Awards winners
Tech industry celebrates its best in front of a record crowd.
![One NZ earnings up, outlook revealed, sale speculation addressed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
One NZ earnings up, outlook revealed, sale speculation addressed
Telco's latest numbers revealed in Infratil's results.
![Gentrack boss on new hope after Three Waters, AI, and hook-up with Aussie start-up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Gentrack boss on new hope after Three Waters, AI, and hook-up with Aussie start-up
Half the new venture's customers actually have negative power bills.
![Gentrack raises profit guidance as revenue surges](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Gentrack raises profit guidance as revenue surges
Airport and utility software maker delivers half-year result.
![‘Don’t follow your passion’: US guru's career advice, and the tech firm he sees 75% undervalued](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
‘Don’t follow your passion’: US guru's career advice, and the tech firm he sees 75% undervalued
Algebra of Wealth author on his best move, his worst move and his (cough) morning routine.
![MediaWorks hack: Ransomware site seized by FBI, NZ Police](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
MediaWorks hack: Ransomware site seized by FBI, NZ Police
Hackers behind site have 'cockroach-like resilience', threat analyst warns.
![Apple previews eye-tracking for iPhone, iPad, dots to reduce car sickness](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Apple previews eye-tracking for iPhone, iPad, dots to reduce car sickness
New tools to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
![Tesla closes K Rd showroom, readies new digs 20km out at Westgate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Tesla closes K Rd showroom, readies new digs 20km out at Westgate
Elon Musk's firm is offering more facilities, but on the edge of the city.
![Battery issue delays Auckland’s first electric ferries](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Battery issue delays Auckland’s first electric ferries
Superchargers for piers also behind schedule.
![Revenue Minister Simon Watts tackles Big Tech on tax](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Revenue Minister Simon Watts tackles Big Tech on tax
Changes are afoot. An academic is sceptical about one approach, and favours another.
![Solar storm causes autopilot wobbles for Kiwi Tesla drivers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Solar storm causes autopilot wobbles for Kiwi Tesla drivers
There were broadband satellite and GPS satellite issues.
![Tesla Powerwall users surprised as grid-outage feature remotely triggered - leaving some out of pocket](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Tesla Powerwall users surprised as grid-outage feature remotely triggered - leaving some out of pocket
Most owners impressed by the tech, if caught-on-the-hop about being army-volunteered.
![Hang the DJ? ComCom delays $116m Serato call for a fifth time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Hang the DJ? ComCom delays $116m Serato call for a fifth time
Why the decision leaves the deal looking in need of a remix.
![Facebook NZ revenue flat at $9m as $157m goes to Ireland](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Facebook NZ revenue flat at $9m as $157m goes to Ireland
Tech giant's local reported revenue remains tiny - and it paid just $1.3m in income tax.
![AI: Kiwi’s automated driving start-up raises $1.7 billion](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
AI: Kiwi’s automated driving start-up raises $1.7 billion
Firm goes beyond generative AI to tech that can make its own decisions.
![One NZ's big 5G play greenlit; UK watchdog says $116m NZ software deal could hit partygoers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
One NZ's big 5G play greenlit; UK watchdog says $116m NZ software deal could hit partygoers
Developments in two contentious tech deals.
![Rural broadband: Chorus' $2.5b proposal for new telco minister Paul Goldsmith](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Rural broadband: Chorus' $2.5b proposal for new telco minister Paul Goldsmith
The plan would extend ultra-fast broadband to 95 per cent of the population.
![Hydrofoil bike maker Manta5 up for urgent sale](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Hydrofoil bike maker Manta5 up for urgent sale
The Torpedo7 founders' start-up takes a spill.
![Westlake Boys High School student a global winner in Apple’s student app competion](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Westlake Boys High School student a global winner in Apple’s student app competion
His feet are in Takapuna library, but his head is in the stars.
![RUCs: Some EV owners suffer online transaction glitches, low uptake revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
RUCs: Some EV owners suffer online transaction glitches, low uptake revealed
Two-month grace period for EV owners expires on May 31.
![Revealed: The most complained-about telco](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Revealed: The most complained-about telco
Free, independent dispute service says there are still too many complaints.
![Who is Infratil manager Morrison, the $38 billion firm that James Shaw just joined as partner?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Who is Infratil manager Morrison, the $38 billion firm that James Shaw just joined as partner?
Ex-Green Party co-leader's new gig might give him a shot at effecting real change.
![New York professor's verdict on NZ’s phones-in-schools ban](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
New York professor's verdict on NZ’s phones-in-schools ban
As the measure kicks in this week, commentators and teachers have differing takes.
![Tech Insider: Some leaders want to ban TikTok, some love it - and some do both at the same time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Tech Insider: Some leaders want to ban TikTok, some love it - and some do both at the same time
Will the US follow through with its TikTok ban? What's the situation in NZ?
![Banks select provider for confirmation-of-payee, a key anti-scam measure; Consumer says efforts ‘too slow, too light’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Banks select provider for confirmation-of-payee, a key anti-scam measure; Consumer says efforts ‘too slow, too light’
But the Government and banks have differing takes on one of the next steps.
!['Corporate welfare': Taxpayers' Union in stoush with tech lobby group over funding](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Corporate welfare': Taxpayers' Union in stoush with tech lobby group over funding
With millions in funding about to expire, group pushes for meeting with Judith Collins.
![Women in tech face ‘microaggression’, career limitations - study](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Women in tech face ‘microaggression’, career limitations - study
'A large complex problem that needs to change,' says NZTech chief executive.
![Big tech names seek meeting with Judith Collins as millions in funding set to expire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Big tech names seek meeting with Judith Collins as millions in funding set to expire
'Time is against us' in the cloud software sector's funding quest, tech leaders say.
![‘No fad’: The nitty-gritty of how Genesis is using gen AI](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
‘No fad’: The nitty-gritty of how Genesis is using gen AI
"It's not a fad." Getting to grips with generative AI, day-to-day.