First of its kind tech agreement between NZTech and Canterbury Software

Auckland – January 27, 2016

The voice of the New Zealand technology industry, NZTech, and the Canterbury Software Cluster will sign an historic agreement on February 2 to create the start of a national alliance of tech industry bodies.

It will be the first ever agreement of its type and is a great example of the collaborative way that two key organisations work in unison. The tech sector is the fastest growing sector in New Zealand and is the country’s number three export earner.

Christchurch has a vibrant tech sector – it has a reputation for being a world-class hub for IT innovation and is one of New Zealand’s top regions for IT businesses. Local companies include the listed SLI Systems, Diligent Board Books and Wynyard, as well as global niche players such as Tait, Trimble and Dynamic Controls.

NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says the alliance is all about the fast-growing national technology sector combining and working together to ensure strong, safe and consistent economic growth.

Muller says the agreement formalises the collective relationships to benefit both organisations, their members and the tech sector as a whole.

“NZTech (New Zealand Technology Industry Association) is excited about working more closely with the tech sector in Christchurch, in particular increasing the voice of Christchurch businesses in national activities.

“The Canterbury Software Cluster wants to add value to their members and to support their objectives of running inspiring and educational events which enable businesses to connect and grow.

“Both organisations agree that New Zealand is too small to have individual organisations who aren’t working collaboratively. Both organisations are passionate about supporting the growth of the tech sector in order to ensure New Zealanders enjoy the prosperity a vibrant technology industry brings.

“Christchurch has a lot of world class technology businesses and the Software Cluster is a vibrant networking group that works really well in bringing the industry players together on a monthly basis; we’re excited by this opportunity to reach further into this community and further understand the ways we can support their growth.

Michael Trengrove, Chair of the Software Cluster, says the work Muller and his NZTech team provide is hugely beneficial.

“We all care deeply about the success of this sector and having an ability to work with NZTech who have a national voice is a great advantage to our members in terms of raising awareness of individual companies and our local sector.”

NZTech – http://www.nztech.org.nz/ – is a non-profit membership body whose role is to help drive economic growth led by technology. It represents over 270 tech companies throughout New Zealand including the ICT multinationals, hi-tech manufacturers, local NZ ICT firms and start-ups.

The Canterbury Software Cluster is a non-profit membership organisation supporting Canterbury tech companies through running monthly networking and educational events and providing connections and inspiration. See: http://www.canterburysoftware.org.nz/ It also runs the hugely successful annual Software Summit http://softwaresummit.co.nz/ .

For further information contact New Zealand Technology Industry Association chief executive Graeme Muller on 021 02520767 or Make Lemonade media specialist Kip Brook on 0275 030188

Photo: NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller