TINWire Tech News Roundup: 16 June 20

Kia ora koutou 

Welcome to Alert Level 1, and the return of personal freedom. The chance to go to a rugby game, explore New Zealand’s own backyard, and for some of you, a return to the office or the continuation of more flexible work arrangements. Whatever we’re doing, we’re all working on recovery. 

As the fastest growing part of New Zealand’s economy, the tech sector will be helping accelerate economic recovery with its unrivaled ability to innovate rapidly and deliver polished products to the world. As an effort to boost that acceleration, we’re pulling together some of our TIN member companies this week for a virtual roundtable to discuss what needs to be done collectively and on a company level to help drive recovery. We’ll be sharing the outcome of our discussions afterwards and offering support where it’s needed. 

The positivity and pragmatism of TIN companies in these unprecedented times is borne out by their directness, bias for action, diversity and outward focus. As Doug Hastie of Syft Technologies says, "Sometimes you're on the right side, sometimes you're on the wrong side” of major world events, but it’s been encouraging to me to hear how many NZ tech companies have shown themselves to be highly resistant to the COVID-19 recession.  

I leave you with the words of HMI Technologies’ Mohammed Hikmet, a finalist in the recent EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and TIN Rocket Award winner in 2018. His revolutionary transport technology company is testament to the agility, dedication and diversity seen in global tech success stories, and he speaks truth when he says, “Whenever there’s a challenge, there’s an opportunity.” 

Kia kaha