Chris Keall
Technology Editor/Senior Business Writer
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.
Check out Chris’s latest content
Air New Zealand inks direct partnership with OpenAI, creates AI customers
Old-school human networking gives the airline an "in" with Open AI.
Three, bought for $1, is worth $48m to Sky – fund manager
Analysts upgrade their share price targets – but qualify their optimism.
Why Sky TV bought Three – and what's next
PLUS: The inside word on why the Commerce Commission gave the deal the green light.
Electric motorbike maker Ubco saved by rich-list families
The company will stay in Mount Maunganui.
Why Sir John Key believes interest rates are stifling NZ growth
He also criticised former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr's monetary policy.
The latest Kiwi-founded unicorn: Hamish McKenzie’s Substack raises $168m at $1.8b valuation
A New Zealand venture capital firm has invested in the latest raise.
The X Factor: Power pricing start-up secures $3m, signs first customer across the Tasman
Power industry insiders strike out on their own.
Tech Insider: Win for Wayne Brown - Government's new AI agency will be based in Auckland
The defunded Callaghan Innovation was based in Wellington and Lower Hutt.
Government's giant internet, security upgrade under way for 2500 schools
2degrees and Palo Alto Networks replace Spark and Fortinet.
'Tell your friends': Competition watchdog chairman defends advocacy of Uber rivals
John Small said his LinkedIn post was intended to show how competition works in practice.
Venture capital market hot again, Icehouse Ventures boss says, as new fund feeds on golden visas
A new seed fund raises half of its $30m target in a month.
PB Tech offers fix for Xiaomi phones as 3G shutdown looms
Thousands of devices will stop working – or fully working – later this year.
Tech Insider: A web browser is coming from the makers of ChatGPT – and it's made by a Kiwi
OPINION: A new browser could upend Google's monopoly. ComCom boss boosts Uber rivals.
New World customers warned after ‘password spraying’ attack
New World's parent company Foodstuffs says none of its systems were breached.
‘Huge upheaval’: Big Govt department's tech team to be cut
The Ministry of Social Development says most of those affected will be redeployed.
Top 5 takeaways from Samsung's super-slim foldable phone and watch event
For the first time, the firm's foldable phones are the same thickness as standard models.
Video game sector jobs up 20.5% with tax rebate, but half of funds unclaimed
Money left on the table for a second year as MBIE readies review.
Government’s AI strategy criticised for lack of detail, timelines, deliverables, funding
Critics say the strategy lacks timelines, deliverables and measurable goals.
$30 billion blast-off: Why Rocket Lab just hit an all-time high
Recent US political developments impact Rocket Lab, Infratil and Allbirds.
Tech Insider: UK tells retailers to use NZ’s Auror crime-fighting software
PLUS: Medtech projected to earn $3.8b a year by 2028.
Silicon Valley to NZ: Kiwi Facebook Marketplace inventor is back home to give back
Bowen Pan says NZ's tech sector is 'unrecognisable for the better' after 13 years away.
26% jump in new vehicle sales pinned on Investment Boost, changes to All-of-Government contract, new Tesla Model Y
Tesla and BYD fight it out in a resurgent EV market.
One of NZ's largest tech firms reveals financials amid AI 'revolution'
The firm's staff numbers dropped by 756 to 5375 in the financial year – a 12% reduction.
Tech Insider: Consumer NZ wants 3G phone refund; Council on Amazon site pause
Plus: Government names AI advisory panel. AWS NZ exec flips to opposition.
Canterbury's aerospace plan aims for $1b industry, 1500 jobs by 2035
Canterbury aims to quadruple its aerospace value to over $1 billion annually by 2035.
Air NZ tech boss tipped for top job, Amazon’s huge Auckland construction site silent, Chorus’ multi-billion rural grab, more DIA cuts - Tech Insider
Could Air NZ be following a previous path in finding its new CEO?
AI could add $3.4b to NZ economy – if we can address areas where we lag
New Zealand is behind in some areas, such as AI uptake and skills.
Tech Insider: Australia's U16 social media ban passes key test – but NZ watchdog remains sceptical
Netsafe's CEO has criticised the under-16 ban as a 'bureaucratic fever dream'.
Spark bags $47m windfall
Funds from sale of stake in Hutchison Telecommunications will be used to reduce debt.
Controversial Kiwi start-up, once worth $38m, folds in New York
It says it's collateral damage in the city's war on Airbnb and will try again elsewhere.
Fringe Benefit Tax: Should you be paying it if your business owns a ute?
The IRD says changes should be revenue-neutral – but many have never paid FBT.
Mighty Ape boss fronts over glitch that saw some users logged into other users’ accounts
Online retailer has suffered a six-month period of glitches since an October upgrade.
One NZ expands Starlink partnership to Internet of Things
Direct to Cell service reaches 40% of the country not covered by land-based networks.
Dawn Aerospace sells its first spaceplane – what the US buyer paid
The Aurora can reach 100km altitude, achieving three minutes of microgravity.
Internet services worldwide hit by glitches, Cloudflare blames Google’s Cloud Platform
Cloud service says it's coming back online.
‘Fastest to $20m revenue’ - Tracksuit's rapid growth, $42m raise
"Fastest to $20m revenue."
Watch: Auckland’s first electric ferry is on the water - but chargers way behind schedule
PLUS: Ferry's Auckland designer wins huge US contract.
Bolt launches in Auckland against Uber and DiDi: An early morning price test
Newcomer says it will have no surge pricing – at least at launch.
Tech Insider: A $529 phone, bought in March, can only make 3G calls; IRD’s AI warning; Musk’s pain is Beck’s gain; a self-employed Wellington man scores a $16K Google Cloud refund
PLUS: Elon Musk's pain is Sir Peter Beck's gain.
3G shutdown delay, watchdog fields multiple complaints
Many devices beyond phones rely on 3G.
Horror, budgeting and tracking meteor showers: Kiwi app makers score global wins in Apple competitions
Gongs awarded in the buildup to the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025.
NZ EV market rebounds strongly, but Tesla struggles to catch the wave
Overall new vehicle sales nudge up.
Tech Insider: Wellington man gets shock $16k bill after using a Google AI-ready tool
PLUS: Some good news for fintechs in the open banking war.
‘Emerging Company of the Year’ Projectworks raises US$12m, plans AI splash
Wellington start-up says it will be able to spot when you're burned out.
Spark in line for $47m windfall – but activist investor unhappy
A minority shareholder labels it a 'lowball offer'.
Ex-Rangitoto student is twice in the gun in Trump's war on Harvard
Crimson cofounder explains how Chinese students can be invited to join the Communist Party
Tech Insider: Jamie Beaton's message for students caught in Trump's war on Harvard
PLUS: A Beehive tilt for the Crimson boss? TIN man looks for gold.
Morrison pockets $456m in fees as Infratil makes net loss of $261.3m
The NZSA says past changes make a fee more palatable but clearer disclosure's needed.
'Show me a path to a billion': Sir Peter Beck on how start-ups should pitch investors
The venture capital firm is flush after raising new capital and is looking to invest.
Eroad squeaks back into black, addresses tariffs, 3G shutdown
Shares gained strongly after the fleet-tracking firm delivered its full-year result.
‘Proven success in conflict zones’ - Tauranga drone maker Syos wins Hi-Tech Company of the Year
Peter Beck named Flying Kiwi.
Budget 2025: $212m in cuts to existing business, science and innovation programmes
No surprises in another thin year for the sector.
Google NZ sends $1b offshore as it increases profit, threat of digital sales tax melts away
An academic calls out a lack of transparency in two areas.
Tech Insider: The Kiwis most likely to support an U16 social media ban; lawyer's AI horror story
Plus: The 'Google tax' dies a quiet death.
Callaghan shows start-up team the door, Auckland Mayor makes tech grab
Budget day is desk clear-out day for Callaghan's commercialisation team.
Two private equity firms reportedly circling Spark
Some analysts say the stock is oversold.
On The Up: AI disruptors – meet the Kiwis using new tech to boost their businesses and lead the way
We sound out some New Zealanders who have taken AI by the scruff of the neck.
Spark confirms outsourcing deal, reveals number of NZ jobs lost
The restructure comes on top of a contract to outsource roles to Infosys.
Gentrack’s softer-than-expected result hits share price
Limited full-year guidance falls slightly short of analysts' expectations.
Spark confirms jobs will go as it outsources to AI, networking partner
Restructure comes on top of contract to outsource roles to Infosys.
Kiwi startup lands TikTok as a client
Founder realises he has a blind spot - then corrects it.
Xero cracks $2 billion revenue for first time but subscriber growth slows
Software will escape tariffs but Xero vulnerable to recession, analyst says.
The big lessons for NZ in Australia's under-16 social media ban
There are some blanks to fill in as the deadline looms.
Tech Insider: Willis offers some venture capital sugar, but is it enough?
Finance Minister delivers some unexpected Budget 2025 action.
Allbirds predicts turnaround - finally - if lucky break on tariffs holds true
PLUS: Waterproof Allbirds - and some "professional" sneakers for the office.
‘Rip-off’: App developer and Consumer say fees will stifle open banking
Government, banks respond.
Key says Trump using tariffs largely for leverage – but has fears for NZ film industry
The former Prime Minister also sees confidence returning to the New Zealand economy.
Tesla's NZ revenue crashed in 2024 – and this year is worse, so far
EV sales pick up but Elon Musk's firm still lags.
AI could make crashes worse, amplify herd behaviour: Reserve Bank
One expert says the report doesn't go far enough, another says it overplays the risks.
Jamie Beaton’s Crimson buys Being AI’s school in Takapuna, reveals more bricks-and-mortar plans
The troubled Being AI slims down.
Legaltech firm VXT raises $2.5m at $45m value with Silicon Valley backing
Firm says it's fast growing in the US and tracking to a $100m revenue within two years.
Spark auctioning half its data centre business to fund $1b expansion push: report
Surf's up for the telco as its capital-raising effort comes to the sharp end.
Tech Insider: Blackbird partner says Govt made mistake giving up on $300m Elevate fund
PLUS: Blackbird gears up for $1 billion raise.
‘A sense of invisibility’: Business leader survey finds lack of Government leadership
Crown inaction, talent and cyber-security pain points in Tuanz Digital Priorities report.
On The Up: Atomic set to blast into Australia, UK, fuelled by Rod Drury
Start-up has already signed up big names in NZ - and is now looking to the UK.
'Very grateful': Satellite service helps in highway accident rescue
One NZ's Satellite TXT uses Starlink to cover 40% of NZ without cellular networks.
Spark follows Air NZ in deal with Indian outsourcer, Luxon visits offshoring specialist
Telco looking to make up lost ground in its drive to slash labour costs.
NZ businesses struggling to see returns from their AI spend - the factors holding them back
Many NZ firms see marginal gains from AI despite heavy investment.