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.
![Poor rural broadband highlighted in briefing to new Communications Minister](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Poor rural broadband highlighted in briefing to new Communications Minister
Elon Musk's Starlink could be in for more costs and regulation, if MBIE gets its way.
![Allbirds dives to new low as its quarterly loss widens to US$32m](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Allbirds dives to new low as its quarterly loss widens to US$32m
The firm, co-founded by ex-All White Tim Brown, says its Christmas will be even tougher.
![Former IBM man’s start-up, ClimateTracker, helps firms grapple with new climate reporting requirements](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Former IBM man’s start-up, ClimateTracker, helps firms grapple with new climate reporting requirements
A big customer win locally, and a global hook-up with AWS.
![Free Starlink for 40 rural schools](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Free Starlink for 40 rural schools
Network For Learning and 2degrees partner on Ministry of Education-funded programme.
![Fresh off $85m raise, Halter launches ‘smart grass’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Fresh off $85m raise, Halter launches ‘smart grass’
“Often you’ll hear dairy farmers say they’re actually grass farmers," says Halter CEO.
![The 27-year-old Kiwi serial inventor onto his fourth startup sale](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The 27-year-old Kiwi serial inventor onto his fourth startup sale
Serial inventor says Shear Edge offers new hope for strong wool.
![Rural broadband: People are paying more for less, regulator says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Rural broadband: People are paying more for less, regulator says
Industry reacts to Commerce Commission’s Annual Telecommunications Monitoring Report.
![Changes at Chorus as two veterans exit - and one takes more power](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Changes at Chorus as two veterans exit - and one takes more power
The broadband network operator is restructuring into three business units.
![Chorus: $500m needed for better rural broadband](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Chorus: $500m needed for better rural broadband
UFB network operator sets date to retire copper.
![Quid pro quo for free spectrum: Telcos reveal 5G rural upgrade spend. A good deal?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Quid pro quo for free spectrum: Telcos reveal 5G rural upgrade spend. A good deal?
More details revealed of a scheme that's seen telcos receive spectrum at no cost.
![‘Predatory’ - rural ISPs on Starlink’s cut-price new deal for Kiwis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
‘Predatory’ - rural ISPs on Starlink’s cut-price new deal for Kiwis
Competition lawyer weighs in.
![Smart cow start-up Halter raises $85m, reveals early uptake](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Smart cow start-up Halter raises $85m, reveals early uptake
Rocket Lab link helps bolster the Auckland/Waikato start-up.
![Woolchemy’s plan to transform strong wool gets venture capital backing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Woolchemy’s plan to transform strong wool gets venture capital backing
Startup takes on synthetics in $165 billion market.
![No longer the ‘it’ shoe? Allbirds responds to WSJ slam](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
No longer the ‘it’ shoe? Allbirds responds to WSJ slam
Firm responds to criticism over durability, repeat purchasing, and 'tech bro' sentiment.
![Govt’s new $2000 broadband installation grant for rural homes - Starlink will be eligible](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Govt’s new $2000 broadband installation grant for rural homes - Starlink will be eligible
New $15m scheme will cover about 7500 remote households.
![Kiwi lab-grown meat start-up breaks out of stealth mode](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Kiwi lab-grown meat start-up breaks out of stealth mode
Beef + Lamb NZ reacts to product makers say is not a replacement for animal agriculture.
![CSI wine: Kiwi firm raises $58m, launches proof-of-origin mark for wine](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
CSI wine: Kiwi firm raises $58m, launches proof-of-origin mark for wine
Tech pitched as the answer to a global counterfeiting crisis.
![Smart collars for cows: Halter eyes fresh pastures abroad](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Smart collars for cows: Halter eyes fresh pastures abroad
Startup says its product is now on hundreds of farms, helping to address labour shortages.
![Spark 5G trials super fast flavour of 5G in Canterbury, all mobile players raise questions about Starlink freeloading](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Spark 5G trials super fast flavour of 5G in Canterbury, all mobile players raise questions about Starlink freeloading
PLUS: 'Is Elon Musk freeloading?', and other new spectrum auction questions.
!['Brain milk'? Ārepa breaks into Woolies, fields Fonterra and Nestlé offers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Brain milk'? Ārepa breaks into Woolies, fields Fonterra and Nestlé offers
$5m raise will help attack the US market.
![$47m in Covid relief funds to boost wobbly rural broadband](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
$47m in Covid relief funds to boost wobbly rural broadband
Rural broadband a sore point even before the pandemic.
![Threat to our farming? NZ-founded, vat-grown cheese startup raises US$25m](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Threat to our farming? NZ-founded, vat-grown cheese startup raises US$25m
Startup sees lab-grown meat and dairy products as alternative to animal protein.
![Ex-All White Tim Brown a $650m man as Allbirds shares double on Nasdaq debut](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Ex-All White Tim Brown a $650m man as Allbirds shares double on Nasdaq debut
Thousands of Kiwi investors pile in as company smashes target.
![The $300m man: Allbirds IPO to boost Tim Brown's wealth](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The $300m man: Allbirds IPO to boost Tim Brown's wealth
Wider loss revealed; $300 million payday for ex-All White co-founder Tim Brown.
![NZ maker of key vaccine ingredient buys Aussie rival](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
NZ maker of key vaccine ingredient buys Aussie rival
Maker of animal serums, which help with vaccines, expands.
![Ex-All White Tim Brown's Allbirds files for multi-billion IPO](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Ex-All White Tim Brown's Allbirds files for multi-billion IPO
Filing reveals big ambitions but, for now, also big lossses.
![A feast of urban broadband but rural internet a 'stale donut'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
A feast of urban broadband but rural internet a 'stale donut'
MBIE's latest official stats reveal a rollout of two halves.
![Huge spike in EV sales as feebate kicks in](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Huge spike in EV sales as feebate kicks in
Chips shortages cause delivery delays, but 2021 sales break records regardless.
![Supermarkets face 'their Telecom moment'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Supermarkets face 'their Telecom moment'
Food & Grocery Council welcomes report showing excessive profits among supermarkets.
![Blenheim's Smart Machine creates 'world-first' viticulture robots](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Blenheim's Smart Machine creates 'world-first' viticulture robots
The answer to vinyards labour shortage: robots.
![Rural ISPs attack 'utterly insane' Vodafone plan, 'foot-dragging' minister](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Rural ISPs attack 'utterly insane' Vodafone plan, 'foot-dragging' minister
Vodafone, Spark, Clark respond to slams from Wispa.
![Pāua play: Bluff freezing works converted for aquaculture; thousands of jobs in offing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Pāua play: Bluff freezing works converted for aquaculture; thousands of jobs in offing
AUT and Bhatnagar-backed effort could help region hit by Rio Tinto's smelter closure.
![Spark, Vodafone trade blows with new rural wireless broadband deals](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Spark, Vodafone trade blows with new rural wireless broadband deals
Killer offers as Covid-19 relief measures wind down.
![Continuous Disclosure: Market moves for Aroa Biosurgery, Fonterra and Abano](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Continuous Disclosure: Market moves for Aroa Biosurgery, Fonterra and Abano
Keeping you in the know on the biggest market moves.
![After sending $20m contract to India's HCL in February, Fonterra told to 'buy-local' for new tender](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
After sending $20m contract to India's HCL in February, Fonterra told to 'buy-local' for new tender
A previous $20 million contract went to India's HCL.
![$15m for rural broadband not enough, user group says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
$15m for rural broadband not enough, user group says
Rural broadband advocate lays out his ambition.
![Covid-19: Vodafone responds to disgruntled rural users](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Covid-19: Vodafone responds to disgruntled rural users
Telco suggests avoiding video and music streaming services, among other measures.
![Graze anatomy: Smart-cow startup nears launch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Graze anatomy: Smart-cow startup nears launch
Key appointment as startup begins its final countdown.
![Oz harness racing ponies up for 'revolutionary' Kiwi tech](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Oz harness racing ponies up for 'revolutionary' Kiwi tech
Kiwi technology attracts interest from across the Tasman.
![Kiwi electric motorbike maker Ubco unveils new models, $5m raise](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Kiwi electric motorbike maker Ubco unveils new models, $5m raise
Tauranga startup buys out its US partner.
![Tech sector to surpass dairy in 3-5 years: TIN boss](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Tech sector to surpass dairy in 3-5 years: TIN boss
Report ranks our largest and fastest-growing technology companies.
![Spark springs 5G surprise with rural wireless](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Spark springs 5G surprise with rural wireless
Customers in Alexandra, Central Otago, will be able to access the network.
![Chathams get free Rugby World Cup streaming](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Chathams get free Rugby World Cup streaming
Remote island may have better RCW coverage than parts of rural NZ.
![Cannabis infusions and other craft beer trends that could be heading for NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Cannabis infusions and other craft beer trends that could be heading for NZ
Portland expert on glitter beers, green beers and more.
![Fonterra poised to ditch NZ tech provider for Indian outsourcer: insider](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Fonterra poised to ditch NZ tech provider for Indian outsourcer: insider
NZ IT providers have the chops, and Fonterra should buy local, lobby group says.
![Chicken-free Chicken maker Sunfed invades Australia](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Chicken-free Chicken maker Sunfed invades Australia
Take that, James Cameron. Fake meat maker gets a real deal with a major supermarket chain.
![RWC fibre jam: Chorus can only connect 50,000 before kickoff](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
RWC fibre jam: Chorus can only connect 50,000 before kickoff
"There's a real risk that rugby fans will miss out," Enable says.
![Spark Sport boss pins blame for hockey stuff-up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Spark Sport boss pins blame for hockey stuff-up
Hockey fans miss out on the first quarter of the Anzac Day clash.
![Some rural customers won't get Spark Sport - Spark Sport boss](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Some rural customers won't get Spark Sport - Spark Sport boss
Telco exec addresses 'pissed off' rural customer.
![Kiwis creating mozzarella, no animals required](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Kiwis creating mozzarella, no animals required
Kiwi startup anticipates a backlash from the dairy industry.
![Chorus unbundled UFB pricing labelled 'cynical', 'uneconomic'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Chorus unbundled UFB pricing labelled 'cynical', 'uneconomic'
Horse-trading begins over unbundled UFB pricing. Vocus calls it 'ridiculous' and 'cynical'
![Treaty claim looms as new stumbling block for Spark's 5G ambitions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Treaty claim looms as new stumbling block for Spark's 5G ambitions
Faafoi says claim has to be resolved before 5G spectrum auction details are fianlised.
![Group hunts predators with new Internet of Things network](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Group hunts predators with new Internet of Things network
A new weapon in the war on possums, stoats, and rats.
![Taxpayer chips in as chicken-free chicken maker raises $10m](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Taxpayer chips in as chicken-free chicken maker raises $10m
The Auckland-based startup sells a chicken-substitute made from chickpeas.
![Yamaha invests $12m in NZ's Robotics Plus](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Yamaha invests $12m in NZ's Robotics Plus
Robots could be the answer to the shortage of human Apple pickers.
![ASB claims blockchain first with meat export deal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
ASB claims blockchain first with meat export deal
Pair say a transaction normally taking four days was wrapped up in an hour.
![Deal values Kiwi Tim Brown's sneaker firm at $2b](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Deal values Kiwi Tim Brown's sneaker firm at $2b
Trendy merino shoe company raises US$50m at US$1.4b valuation.
![Neighbours in court over claim trees blocking Wi-Fi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Neighbours in court over claim trees blocking Wi-Fi
Expert says the case could lead to a flurry of legal action.