Pictured above: Samuel Vye, CEO and Founder of SYOS Aerospace.
Mount Maunganui-based SYOS Aerospace has been named the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year at the 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, headlining a night that celebrated the very best of Aotearoa’s thriving tech industry.
NZBusiness was among the more than 1,000 attendees packed into Wellington’s sold-out TSB Arena on May 23 for the 30th anniversary of the Awards — a record turnout for the event, which also drew an unprecedented number of Government Ministers in attendance.
The win by SYOS Aerospace — a company building high-tech aerial systems for applications from border patrol to environmental monitoring — was praised by the Awards’ international judging panel. “They have made the jump overseas that is critical to getting Kiwi companies to global scale,” noted the panel, highlighting the company’s commercial success and global growth from its coastal New Zealand base.
Other standout winners included Mindhive Global and The Village Goldsmith, both of whom took home two awards apiece.
Mindhive Global, winner of the Start-Up and Agritech categories, impressed with its pioneering defect detection system for cowhides — a powerful blend of machine learning, image recognition, and robust industrial hardware. Judges noted the company’s ability to turn proven tech into a scalable and commercially viable solution for a traditional industry.
The Village Goldsmith, a jeweller based in Wellington, continued to shake up its sector with its patented floating diamond ring design — a globally recognised innovation in solitaire ring settings. The business won both the Creative Technology and Hi-Tech Manufacturing categories for its visionary design and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Another major highlight of the evening was the induction of Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck into the NZ Hi-Tech Hall of Fame as this year’s Flying Kiwi. Sir Peter was honoured for his extraordinary contributions to New Zealand’s space industry, having built Rocket Lab from a start-up into a multi-billion-dollar international aerospace company while continuing to invest in local tech ventures.
Marian Johnson, Chair of the NZ Hi-Tech Trust, said the calibre of entries continues to grow year-on-year.
“We’re witnessing an industry that is continuing exceptional growth as well as innovation and matching it with the best in the world. Despite recent challenges, New Zealand’s tech sector remains a source of pride for the whole country.”
Johnson also noted the Awards’ increasing relevance in helping boost the profile of emerging Kiwi innovators: “It’s incredibly exciting to see not only the success of our largest tech companies but also a burgeoning ecosystem of start-ups pushing boundaries.”
Now in its 30th year, the NZ Hi-Tech Awards span industries from software and electronics to agritech, deep tech and creative solutions, and are judged by a global panel of more than 80 experts.
Full list of 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Award winners
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PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year: SYOS Aerospace
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Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever: Luke Campbell (VXT)
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Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good: Optimation
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Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector: Talent RISE
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Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual: Lee Timutimu
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Aware (an HSO Company) Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution: Kitea Health
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Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau: Deep Dive Division
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Tait Communications Flying Kiwi: Sir Peter Beck
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NZX Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution: The Village Goldsmith
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Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution: Toku Eyes (Highly Commended: Carepatron)
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Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Manufacturer of the Year: The Village Goldsmith
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Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future: Cleanery
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NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution: Mindhive Global
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Punakaiki Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year: Mindhive Global
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ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year: Projectworks (Highly Commended: Calocurb)
Check out the winner photos, here.
