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
Watch: Rowan Simpson’s Three ways to be wrong
Budding entrepreneurs: Here's what not to do. Simpson also shares his own biggest blunder.
Spark CEO Jolie Hodson fronts as $1 billion wiped off telco’s value
Will anyone on the exec team walk the plank?
$1 billion wiped off Spark's value as profit crashes amid 'longest and deepest recessionary period in recent history'
Telco reveals its first-half numbers - and it's ugly.
DeepSeek, WeChat, other apps banned from MPs’ phones
Read the Beehive directive. Expert says NZ should go further.
Spark and Microsoft ink NZ’s ‘largest-ever Microsoft public cloud partnership’
Around half of the telco's staff will get Microsoft's gen AI.
Apple confirms low-cost, souped-up iPhone 16e: NZ pricing and availability
The rumours were true. AI-capable phone is cheap - but not as cheap as its predecessor.
The demographic most likely to be taken in by a scam (it’s not who you think)
Gangland expert turns his attention to cybercriminals.
Tech Insider: Google follows Microsoft in raising prices as it bundles AI
Don't want it? Google will add it to its suite and raise the price anyway.
Auckland startup Polymath, with its contrarian take on AI, raises money from a heavy-hitter
"Our goal is to be the household name for screen time that parents can feel good about."
Tech Insider: A big move ahead of Spark’s earnings, more Callaghan chaos
PLUS: Who is New Zealand's DOGE-master?
Super-cheap, souped-up iPhone? Apple boss teases ‘newest member of the family’
What the pundits are picking.
Why Chorus is doubling the speed of your internet
And where your new bottleneck could emerge.
Mark Rocket’s Kea Aerospace achieves stratospheric flight
Milestone will help fuel funding round, much larger UAV.
Wellington port gets NZ's first private 5G network - built by iwi
Iwi firm's boss on his next targets.
Meta expands Instagram ‘Teen Account’ protections to NZ
How they work; where Aussie is at with its under-16 social media ban passed last November.
Zeronet Mobile launches with cheap unlimited plans - what’s the catch?
Now 10 players in the crowded 'MVNO' field.
Tech Insider: Size of four rugby fields – Amazon buys more Auckland land
Amazon expands its data centre presence in West Auckland.
NZ MPs get behind-the-scenes DeepSeek warning
Many countries ban the Chinese AI app, NZ still assessing threat.
Ex-Bell Gully solicitor raises $28m for his legal AI start-up
In-house legal teams at Fonterra and US giants have signed on.
Union foresees brain-drain as Callaghan scientists face six months in limbo
'This will be a brain drain of the Government’s own making.'
iPhone added to One NZ’s Satellite TXT over Starlink lineup
More Samsung phones added. iPhone support still on the way
NetSafe joins forces with Sticks ‘n Stones, calls out Meta
Open letter critical of Mark Zuckerberg's moves to reduce Facebook, Instagram protections.
Failed Hamilton aquabike maker Manta5: Liquidators brace for millions in warranty claims
More details emerge around failed startup.
Cannonball run record holder, iPod creator hit NZ in 4X4s, looking for new scores
Venture capitalists go on a road trip, looking for the next big thing.
Watch: DeepSeek AI answers controversial questions – then retracts its responses
Plus: OpenAI alleges Chinese newcomer crimped from ChatGPT.
Ten quickfire takes on Trump’s tech moves, and the impact on NZ
The incoming President has issued orders on crypto, AI, EVs and more.
One NZ widens phone support for its Satellite TXT over Starlink
More Samsung phones added. iPhone support still on the way
Tech Insider: The portfolio you get demoted to; Survey rates the business usefulness of Microsoft’s Copilot AI
Surprising pros and cons of our new robot overlords.
Watch: Fullers' 'world-first' hydrofoiling electric boat ready for passengers
A 100-passenger commuter model is on the way.
E-motorcycle firm collapse: Anxious customers, Crown agency owed $400k
Can the electric biker maker still go postal? Crown agency owed $400,000.
TikTok begins restoring US service after Trump pledges to pause ban
Elon Musk is a potential buyer of the app.
A$3.4 billion Foxtel deal puts Sky in da zone
DAZN is buying Foxtel for A$3.4b, sparking Sky TV takeover rumours.
TikTok going dark: $100m spender Zuru says it's a 'negotiating tactic'
Trump is positioning himself as a white knight in response.
Tauranga-based e-motorcycle maker Ubco tipped into receivership, ex-boss fires shots
All staff terminated as bad year for tech continues.
From 3G shutdown to AI slop: Tech red flags and green flags for 2025
The good stuff and bad stuff to watch out for in the year ahead.
What the TikTok ban could look like for Americans – and Kiwis
The wildly popular app could disappear from the US within days.
Tech Insider: How to avoid Microsoft's 38% price rise, Amazon recruits NZ roles for Project Kuiper
PLUS: A peek over the fence at Amazon's Auckland data centre.
Survey of 200 Kiwi executives reveals a surging top concern
A report card for the Govt's first year and firms' top priorities, worst fears for 2025.
Clean Car Standard changes could mean price hikes on some vehicles, industry group warns
PLUS: How EV sales compared to petrol vehicles in 2025; Better NZ drops legal action.
NZ’s most embarrassing tech disasters, Part 3
Remember Localist, Flying Pig and Incis? Some people would rather not.
The top 10 big tech trends for 2025 and beyond
From agentic AI to ambient invisible intelligence and brain implants.
Credit card surcharges: Watchdog says fee cap will save shoppers millions
Visa and Mastercard push back.
Orion Health sells offshore for $200m - but founder reveals a twist
What the deal means for 520 staff.
Microsoft global exec on Collins’ AI strategy, security turnaround
Tech giant recalibrated after two serious breaches.
The event that triggered NZ’s busiest day on the internet
Plus: Our most data-hungry districts.
Watchdog says its caps on telco's spending and revenue will save consumers $250m
Cap will be a constraint on pricing, watchdog says.
Apple Intelligence launches in NZ – why experts say it has a privacy advantage over rivals
A smarter Siri and new AI tools are sprinkled through photos, email and more.
Spark sells remaining stake in its celltowers for $314m
The telco is on a quest to raise $1 billion.
Microsoft opens giant data centre in NZ, owned by an Irish subsidiary: Where it is and what it cost
PLUS: The tech giant raises its pricing.
Another analyst upgrades Spark – but also sees rival making further gains
The good news and the bad news.
Cyber security agency reports spike in hacking incidents
Other surveys suggest under-reporting, while there are job losses at Cert NZ.
‘World-first’ hydrofoiling electric ferry joins Fullers fleet
100-passenger commuter version in the works.
SolarZero collapse: Can the industry survive?
PLUS: Simeon Brown floats rooftop solar reforms. Willis has more questions.
SolarZero collapse: Willis’ three questions, NZGIF takes dig at BlackRock
A fact-finding session has only thrown up more questions from ministers.
Wellington AI software firm in liquidation after ‘David and Goliath’ legal threat
30 staff lose jobs as larger US firm is accused of bullying.
Angry tradies want to rip SolarZero panels off roofs
First liquidators' report finds $40m owing, but also a ray of hope with buyer interest.
SolarZero collapse: Liquidators’ first report reveals more than $40 million owed
There are 700 creditors including staff.
Meta introduces anti-scam ad measure in Australia, where a A$50m fine is threatened, but not NZ
PLUS: Bayly nudges telcos, social media firms with new open letters.
SolarZero collapse: Govt on the hook for $115m, Willis seeks urgent advice
Staff protest outside BlackRock's Auckland office.
2degrees earnings jump, CEO addresses telco war in space
2degrees is lining up its own satellite-to-mobile phone service to compete with One NZ.
SolarZero insider saw 'signs of trouble’; BlackRock breaks silence
A staff protest is understood to be planned for outside SolarZero’s Auckland office.
Rakon culls 22% of staff, moves production from NZ to India
The ongoing telco slump has resulted in the firm swinging to a loss.
$10m a year: The man poised to be the NZX's highest-paid CEO
Shareholders Association says incentive scheme hurdles "too low".
Rocket Lab nabs Biden funding, launches twice in 24 hours, stock hits high
Sir Peter Beck's wealth tops $2b amid launches from two pads in different hemispheres.
Looming 3G shutoff weighs on Eroad result - but full-year guidance on track
Firm sees potential in new AI products, expansion of road user charges to petrol vehicles.
Watch: My Waymo robotaxi ride - five things that struck me
Living in the future - where there's less driver chatter.
One NZ gears up for SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell - what to expect
Direct to Cell communication would be a 'game-changer'.
Watch: Aurora becomes first Kiwi-made aircraft to break the sound barrier
First civilian aircraft to go supersonic since the Concorde.
Bayly appointed lead anti-scam minister, reveals big meet-up
The minister reveals a three-pronged push and is eyeing Aussie mega-fines.
Kiwis lose $2.3b to online scams, Government readies three big moves
New type of scam emerges as the biggest threat.
Infratil sees gains for One NZ, Trump uncertainty for Longroad Energy
Infratil shares have risen off the back of its result.
Sky TV talks tough on rugby, expects softening revenue, possible extra satellite migration costs
Media firm reports tougher landscape – but sticks with profit and revenue guidance.
Peter Beck a billionaire as Rocket Lab shares surge 45% on first Neutron contract
The firm's stock has quadrupled in value since August on a string of good news.