Pictured above: Hi-Tech Awards trustee David Downs at the finalists announcement (Credit: Dave Coles).
The finalists for the 2025 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards have been announced, with a record number of more than 300 companies entering this year’s competition.
The milestone comes as the awards celebrate their 30th anniversary, marking three decades of recognising excellence in New Zealand’s thriving technology sector.
Marian Johnson, Chair of the Hi-Tech Trust, highlights the increasing standard of entries, stating that the depth of tech talent across the country is evident in this year’s finalists.
“It’s awesome to have received a huge number of entries this year as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Awards. We have come so far as a sector in that time, and the growth in the Hi-Tech Awards truly reflects how far the industry has come,” says Johnson.
“Entries have come from right across the country and cover so many diverse technologies. We applaud the ever-increasing diversity of the sector.”
The panel of local and international judges also notes the growing quality of entries, suggesting that the next stage of judging will be particularly challenging.
“The hi-tech sector is valued at over $17 billion and growing. It’s inspiring to see the success that so many of our companies enjoy on the international stage. This sector continues to prove its resilience and is at the forefront of our export economy, which we look forward to celebrating at the Gala Dinner in May,” says Johnson.
The Hi-Tech Awards Gala Dinner will be held on Friday, 23 May 2025, at the TSB Arena in Wellington, with more than 1,000 guests expected to attend.
2025 Hi-Tech Awards finalists
- Crimson Education
- Kami
- Link Engine Management
- SYOS Aerospace
- Tait Communications
ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year
- Calocurb
- Ideally
- Projectworks
- RoofBuddy
Punakaiki Fund Hi-Tech Start-Up Company of the Year
- Mindhive Global
- Toku Eyes
- VXT
Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual
- Denise Carter-Bennett
- Jenny Rudd
- Lee Timutimu
- Nicola Taylor
Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year
- Deep Dive Division
- Kiwa Digital
- Pursuit
Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution
- Atomic.io
- Carepatron
- Griefity
- Ideally
- Toku Eyes
Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution For a More Sustainable Future
- CarbonCrop
- Cleanery
- Neocrete
- PolyNatural
- Zincovery
Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Manufacturer of the Year
- BlueLab
- Fisher & Paykel Technologies
- Medella Health
- Mindhive Global
- The Village Goldsmith
Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector
- Ministry of Awesome
- Mission Ready HQ
- Take2
- Talent RISE
- University of Auckland Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution
- Gallagher Animal Management
- Hot Lime Labs
- Mindhive Global
- Scentian Bio
Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever
- Luke Campbell
- Mitchell Anderson
Aware Group (an HSO Company) Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution
- Kitea Health
- Scentian Bio
- Toku Eyes
- Zincovery
NZX Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution
- AdInstruments
- Contented
- Narrative
- The Village Goldsmith
Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good
- Elli Cares
- Hapai Transfer Systems
- Optimation Group
Organised by the not-for-profit NZ Hi-Tech Trust, the awards aim to promote and support the wider industry. The board of trustees includes Marian Johnson (Chair), David Downs, Dr Andrew West, Sir Ian Taylor, Mike O’Donnell, Amber Taylor, and Sarah Ramsay.
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