The fastest growing tech sector in NZ for 2017 and 2018

In 2018, with support from Waikato Means Business and UltraFast Fibre, CultivateIT engaged Wollemi Consulting to work with us and other local stakeholders to understand the digital and technology landscape in the Waikato and develop a list of recommendations for increasing the uptake of digital and ICT across the region.

The outcome of that work, a Digital Stocktake and Digital Action Plan (available below), was then used as the basis for working with a wider group of stakeholders to develop a Digital and ICT programme of work forming part of the Waikato Economic Development programme.

This programme of work as part of the Digital Waikato 2025 strategy (available below) aligns with the Governments sector-led approach to grow industry innovation and boost productivity, outlined in From the Knowledge Wave to the Digital Age: Growing Innovative Industries in New Zealand (available below).

From the Knowledge Wave to the Digital Age pdf

Digital Waikato 2025 Strategy pdf

Facts and Figures

Summary infographic pdf

2018 Digital Stocktake pdf

2018 Digital Action Plan pdf

Stories

Here is a sample of stories from the technology and innovation ecosystem in Waikato. For more technology news from the Waikato visit our News page. You can filter for anything specifically of interest by using the blog filter.

Student-owned agri-tech startup gains business boost from Microsoft

A student-based agri-tech startup company that has developed an inventive way to measure moisture, salinity and fertiliser content in soil has been accepted into a startup programme run by tech giant

A sneak peek into the future of health care

The government is developing a person-centred Digital Health Strategic Framework “consisting of aspirational goals and enabling priorities, guidelines and resources”, and that will evolve as the

Artificial intelligence and solar-powered cameras to tackle problem freedom camping

Artificial intelligence and solar-powered cameras are among tech-tools being deployed to better manage freedom camping this summer. Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis on Monday announced a package of

Waikato tech firms shine

Waikato firms Gallagher Group and The Instillery have won accolades in a prestigious New Zealand report as the tech export industry booms in New Zealand. Gallagher was named one of the top 10

Vertec celebrates 100 years of innovation

Manufacturing engineers Vertec, who are celebrating their centenary this year, have come a long way since founder Thomas Mullan opened the doors of his foundry and engineering business in Hood Street

Regional TIN report launch at IoT Waikato

A tour of New Zealand wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the mighty Tron, and TIN had a taste of true Hamilton hospitality early last week courtesy of Wintec at the IoT Waikato Future Tech

Health clinic of the future only a couple of years away, innovators say

Tiny heart monitors, virtual assistants and Fitbit data could be part of future doctor visits. A model clinic of the future - envisaged by innovation-focussed health organisation Ventures - is on

IT Partners only Hamilton finalist in Humankind Employee Experience Workplace Awards

Hamilton company, IT Partners has been ranked one of the best places to work in the national 2019 Humankind Employee Experience Workplace Awards. Sitting alongside Xero, Sharesies and Overland Footwe

'Cloud guys' push Waikato tech hub: The Instillery pitches NZ-based public cloud

Lifestyle and local ties helped land a computing company's headquarters in Hamilton. The Instillery's team members are known as the cloud guys - they move businesses away from traditional IT

Te Awamutu College student Bert Downs wins in Skills Bright Sparks contest

Te Awamutu College Year 12 student and recently announced School Dux, Bert Downs, has capped off a successful week by being named a winner in the Skills Bright Sparks Competition. But it was an app t

Institute of Awesome: school camp reimagined

A former outdoor education camp in 40 hectares of regenerated bush in Raglan will re-open its doors in 2020 as a rebooted school camp where young innovators will have their pick of technology and

Sold on electric vehicles after petrol bills pile up

He used to make fun of electric vehicles, now Shane Hobson sells them. It was the petrol bill from his wife's 15-minute commute to the city from Whatawhata that spun the wheel for him. "She

TechTalk

A regular column written by CultivateIT Board Member David Hallett for the Waikato Business News

Case studies

Below are links to existing case studies presented by local technology businesses and we are currently working to collate/develop additional case studies in collaboration with technology and innovation leaders in the Waikato.

Our people

Each month we interview a member of the Waikato technology sector and find out more about what they do and their thoughts on technology innovation in Waikato and NZ. These people are also highlighted in the Sector Spotlight section of our regular newsletter.

If you have someone you would like to put forward to be spotlighted please get in touch.

Jason Catchpole (UneeQ)

What role do you play in the local/NZ tech sector? I am a software engineer/scientist (I often wear both hats) who has worked for many local and international companies. I am normally brought in w

Panos Patros (Waikato Uni)

What role do you play in the local/NZ tech sector? As a Lecturer in Software Engineering, my role is to - a) Create a high-caliber research output to help maintain the University of Waikato's image

Geoff Bentley (TechLeapNZ)

What role do you play in the local/NZ tech sector? I'm a Tech Educator, inspiring & helping students through my TechLeap clubs and Repair Detectives programme and with OMGTech!, providing professio

Rachel Kelly (Nyriad)

What role do you play in the local/NZ tech sector? I’ve played a variety of roles in this sector since I returned to New Zealand 5 years ago, including consulting in technology transformation and

Christina McKenzie (The Instillery)

What role do you play in the local/NZ tech sector? Currently, I’m spearheading the go to market charge for The Instillery across our nationwide delivery footprint. My focus areas are twofold:

Nikora Ngaropo (Young Animators)

What role do you play in the local/NZ tech sector? We work primarily in the education space and technology space but we also have a diverse portfolio of projects which keep us busy, commercial

Damon Kelly (Enlighten Designs)

What is your favorite habit to keep up to date with the latest technology trends? A voracious reader, I love Audible and listening to books at high speed. Enlighten also has a value of “learning

Rob Scovell (IT Consultant)

What is your favorite habit to keep up to date with the latest technology trends? I use LinkedIn to see what people are excited by and what's going on, both locally and further afield. I am reading

Travis Corrie (FLINT Waikato)

Image - The FLINT Waikato leadership team What is your favorite habit to keep up to date with the latest technology trends? Admittedly, I could probably do a better job of proactively keeping on to

Luke McGregor (CompanyX)

What is your favorite habit to keep up to date with the latest technology trends? There are lots of ways to keep up to date, I read blogs and keep up with a bunch of other developers working in

Igor Matich (Dynamo6)

What is your favorite habit to keep up to date with the latest technology trends? Keeping up with the latest technology trends is a big feat. Especially while running a thriving company. It’s a t

Thomas Coats (J Swap Group of Companies)

Thomas is the IT Manager across the Matamata based J Swap Group of Companies, a renowned name in the Kiwi contracting industry with operations covering civil, aggregate, transport, stock foods, stora

Techweek Waikato 2019 Highlights

Techweek Waikato is part of Techweek NZ, an annual festival of technology innovation that is good for the world, organised by NZTech.

The NZ Tech Alliance

The NZ Tech Alliance is a group of independent technology associations from across New Zealand that work together to help connect, promote and advance the entire tech ecosystem. As an affiliate of NZ Tech, CultivateIT provides a voice for and a connection with the Waikato tech sector across the wider NZ technology ecosystem.

Here are some members of the NZ Tech Alliance that we collaborate with on a regular basis.