Environmental Defence Fund economist Suzi Kerr on whether it was worth it for NZ Government to invest $29m in the methane emission-tracking satellite.
Video / Carson Bluck
There were three big winners at the 2024 Hi-Tech Awards, staged in front of a record audience of 1300 at Auckland’s Spark Arena tonight.
Peter Beck’s Rocket Lab was named Company of the Year. The Kiwi-American firm has undergone major expansion recently, including the opening of a new factory in Auckland for its burgeoning satellite and manufacturing and assembly of its much larger Neutron rocket, due for its first test launch next year.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. Photo / Dean Purcell
Tracksuit’s backers have billed it as NZ’s fastest-growing startup. It certainly had one of the most successful funding rounds, bucking the overall venture capital trend as it raised $22 million at a $151m valuation.
Tracksuit co-founders and co-CEOs Matt Herbert (left) and Connor Archbold.
Diversity advocate and Heamana Whakahaere chair and Network For Learning director Elle Archer (Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tūhoe) was named the most inspiring individual, while Fibre Fale cofounder Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele and Joshua Parsons, founder of Watchful, a maker of monitoring software for security teams, were the joint young achiever winners.
Vista Group founder Murray Holdaway. Photo / Dean Purcell
Vista Group founder Murray Holdaway was named the 2024 Flying Kiwi. Holdaway, who was born in Kaikohe and grew up in Whangarei. Holdaway started Madison Systems, which became NZ’s largest IBM reseller. After Madison was involved with two cinema system developments, Holdaway formed Vista Group in 1996 - which went on to dominate the global market for movie theatre management software.
More than 80 local and international judges contributed to the judging of this year’s awards.
“The continued increase of diversity across the finalists is a reflection of the fact that there is a place in Tech for all New Zealanders,” Hi-Tech Trust chair David Downs said.
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
