Published on the 09/08/2022 | Written by Heather Wright
While Ian McCrae gains Flying Kiwi status…
Seequent has taken out the top award at the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards, which also saw Alimetry win three awards and Ian McCrae recognised with a Flying Kiwi award.
“New Zealand makes technology with purpose.”
The awards, presented at a gala dinner in Wellington, saw Seequent named Hi-Tech Company of the Year in a year which saw a record number of companies vying for the 12 company and two individual awards.
The Christchurch-based 3D modelling software vendor was acquired in 2021 by Nasdaq-listed infrastructure engineering software company Bentley Systems in a US$1 billion deal. Seequent beat out Cin7, Pushpay, Education Perfect, Kami and Wellington Drive Technologies for the top award.
In announcing Seequent’s win, the judges noted the company’s technology has been deployed to organisations in more than 100 countries and across a wide range of sectors.
“The company’s reputation, growth, advanced technology and continued global performance set it apart among the many excellent companies vying for this award,” the judges said.
Seequent was a finalist for the award last year, losing out to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
Meanwhile, Alimentary, which makes advanced clinical solutions for investigating gastric disorders, took home a record three awards, taking out the Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product, Most Innovative Hi-tech Creative Technology Solution and Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution (where it beat out Halter and Marama Labs) categories.
The annual awards – now in their 27th year – recognise the success of companies producing goods and services across the hi-tech sector, including software, electronics, telecommunications, agritech and creative. Winners were selected by more than 70 local and international judges.
Crimson Education’s Jamie Beaton was named Hi-Tech Young Achiever, with Sharesies’ Brooke Roberts named Most Inspiring Individual. McCrae’s recognition with the Flying Kiwi award comes just two weeks after he retired as Orion Health CEO after 30 years at the helm.
The Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year was presented to Seen Safety, which beat out Halter, Hectre, Narrative and Onside for the win, while UBCO took out Emerging Company of the Year.
David Downs, New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust chair, says while it has been a challenge for some tech companies to physically get in front of customers in the past two years, it hasn’t stopped them continuing to innovate and compete successfully on the global stage.
“The other key theme that comes through again from the finalists and winners is that New Zealand makes technology with purpose – caring for people, and the planet. Seequent and Alimetry are excellent examples of this – helping create a better tomorrow through technology,” Downs says.
The full list of winners is:
Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever
Winner: Jamie Beaton
Highly Commended: Imche Fourie
Visa Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good
Winner: GNS Science & NIWA
Highly Commended: Kara Technologies
IBM Most Inspiring Individual
Winner: Brooke Roberts
Tataki Auckland Unlimited Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution
Winner: Alimetry
Highly Commended: Writer’s Toolbox
Callaghan Innovation Hi-Tech Maori Company of the Year
Winner: Agrisea
Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution
Winner: Auror
Endace Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product
Winner: Alimetry
Highly Commended: StretchSense
Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service
Winner: FirstAML
Highly Commended: Hnry
NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution
Winner: M2X
Halo Consulting Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector
Winner: Summer of Tech
Punakaiki Fund Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year
Winner: Seen Safety
Pacific Edge Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year
Winner: UBCO
Highly Commended: Auror
Soul Machines Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution
Winner: Alimetry
PwC NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year Award
Winner: Seequent
Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Award
Recipient: Ian McCrae
