Kiwi technology firms will have their own chance to star and win on a global stage during next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Industry group NZICT is organising a hi-tech forum that will coincide with the tournament and match local firms with potential international investors, distributors and customers.

Read the full article here

Following the AGM held on 22 July 2010 where candidates for the Board roles were elected, the NZICT Group is pleased to announce the new NZICT Board representatives.

Tier 1

• Chris Quin, Gen-i
• Daryl French, IBM
• Geoff Hunt, Kordia
• Geoff Lawrie, Cisco
• Paul Muckleston, Microsoft

Tier 2

• Bennett Medary, Simpl
• Ian Clarke, Fronde
• Richard Laverty, NZTE

Tier 3

• Andrew Hunt, Kinetics Group
• Bob Pinchin, Swaytech

Board Profiles

If you need assistance with an existing or new technology project, we may be able to help.

NZICT Group represents suppliers across the spectrum of technologies and we are looking to assist a budding company that needs an ICT boost.

Registrations of interest are open for companies with vision that are looking for assistance with an ICT project.

NZICT will match your ICT project dollar for dollar to at least $10,000. We will assign a consultant to work with you.  Depending on your business, this could involve hardware, software, training or other ICT services.

See us at Bizzone Wellington: 21st-23rd July. Visit us at stand 134 to register and you could be in to win a 500GB external hard drive!

Terms and Conditions

1.     Registration of interest: By registering for the NZICT Smart Business Competition (the Competition) the registrant is assenting to receive more information about the Competition and information about how ICT can improve and assist business operations. You or your company’s details will not be used for any other purpose.

2.     Registration period: Entries will be open on or about a month’s time from when registrations open on July 21, 2010. NZICT will then assess all entries for the competition on or before October 30, 2010. NZICT’s judging panel will create a shortlist of up to five entries and work with those entrants to refine and finalise their entries. The winner or winners will then be notified by our judging panel on or around early December, 2010.

Register your interest now!

New Zealand’s Minister of Commerce yesterday confirmed that computer programs will be excluded from patentability in the new Patents Act, but inventions for embedded software will be allowed.

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When NZICT Group was formed one of the key issues identified for us to address was the skills shortage.  To some extent the impact of the global financial crisis provided some temporary relief as employees and contractors hunkered down.  But all of the signs are that the shortage has returned with a vengeance and the buoyant Australian market continues to lure talent off-shore.

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Information Technologies experts, educators and business stakeholders will be convening at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) on March 19, to address skills demands in Auckland’s fastest growing region, Counties Manukau.

As New Zealand industries evolve, employers are looking for IT professionals with new and varied skills sets. This conference is significant as it will encourage further collaboration between the tertiary education and commercial sectors to ensure the skills shortage gap is addressed.

Read the full article on Scoop.

The Prime Minister’s state of the nation speech at the opening of Parliament covered important issues for business.  Much of the content is in line with NZICT Group’s Near Future Digital Priorities released in December last year, and with Business NZ recommendations advocated last year in Setting New Zealand Apart and will clearly be given thumbs up by the business community.  The focus is on the Government’s ‘6-pack’ plan (improvements in regulation, infrastructure, public services, skills, innovation and tax).

Tax

• The Government has clearly signalled that proposals for a land tax, a capital gains tax, and a risk-free return method will not go ahead. 
• What is on the agenda: an increase in GST (no more than 15%), lower personal tax rates and changes to the way property is taxed - with more details to come in the Budget. 
• While there was no overall reform of Working for Families announced, there was an indication that there will be changes to prevent high income earners from abusing the system.
• One glaring omission was any discussion on the Australian Henry tax review or on compulsory superannuation.  Any moves by the Australian Government to lower their company tax rate would need to be met by the same change on this side of the Tasman.   We would expect the Government to be ready for such an eventuality if it arises this year.

Better Public Services

• This year the Government will continue to drive savings in the public sector, demand stronger performance from government agencies, and lift the quality of public services.
• They began that process last year by capping core government administration and by conducting a line-by-line review of expenditure as part of the 2009 Budget. That review identified a total of more than $2 billion in spending over four years that was redirected to frontline services.
• That was not a one-off exercise. The PM indicated that the pressure on government departments to lift their game will be constant. Most agencies will see no additional funding for several years. They will therefore need to make enduring and significant changes to the way they operate, including reorganising their back office administrative functions, making better use of technology, exploring innovative options for delivering services, and sharing support services with other government agencies.

Innovation

• We are pleased to see a strong focus on increasing investment and focus on science and innovation, in line with our Near Future Digital Priorities, and we look forward to seeing details as soon as possible.

Regulatory Reform

• The Prime Minister’s remarks on regulation highlighted the work programme of reviewing existing regulations to identify and improve or remove those that are unnecessary or ineffective, but there was no significant detail announced e.g. around a Regulatory Responsibility Bill or the establishment of a Productivity Commission.

Emissions trading

• Comments on emissions trading stressed the need for a balance between environmental and economic concerns.  We also see technology development opportunities in this area.

Access to natural resources

• The intention to better utilise New Zealand’s significant petroleum and mineral resources was outlined. 

Labour Law

• The Government will look at whether labour laws are imposing excessive costs on business and hindering job creation.
•  The PM indicated that legislation to improve  the Holidays Act will be introduced later in the year and that problems with personal grievances under the Employment Relations Act will be investigated.

Education and skills

• The statement included a focus on young people and pre-employment education and training and greater opportunities to learn trades and practical skills including technology in schools.  We will be working with the Ministry of Education on this development.
• In tertiary education, the statement focused on getting more value from the dollar and more relevance to the workforce.

Trade

• The government wants to further progress the Single Economic Market with Australia and progress the many trade deals currently under negotiation.

NZICT Group’s advocacy will be focused on getting good and speedy execution of the stated plan.  Thanks to Business NZ for their assistance in the review of the PM’s address.

Interview on NZI Business, February 1st.

Watch the TVNZ video (3:23 minutes)

ICT Industry body NZICT has backed the government’s film tax credit scheme following the government’s decision to give nearly $45 million in taxpayer money towards movie blockbuster Avatar.

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Avatar’s success has spawned the first of what industry supporters hope will be a new group of IT start-ups.

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