logo
On The Up: The AI disruptors – Kiwis using new tech to boost their businesses and leading the way

On The Up: The AI disruptors – Kiwis using new tech to boost their businesses and leading the way

NZ Herald19-05-2025

A select group of Kiwis are taking on the world using AI. Image / Getty Creative
Some Kiwis, and their organisations, are tentatively prodding around the edges of artificial intelligence. Our AI disruptors have grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and used it to create new opportunities for their business or helping their organisations adapt to the new terrain.
Philip

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Applications Open For $30 Million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund
Applications Open For $30 Million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund

Scoop

time34 minutes ago

  • Scoop

Applications Open For $30 Million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund

Associate Minister for Transport Applications have opened for a $30 million fund for projects that will enhance the resilience of New Zealand's coastal shipping connections and help boost economic growth, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced. The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will be allocated through a contestable process, with the criteria's scope confirmed today. 'The coastal shipping sector is vulnerable to natural hazard risks. Disruption to the sector could worsen New Zealand's supply chain and economic performance,' Mr Meager says. 'This long-term investment is crucial to ensuring we as a nation can get our goods to market, which is vital to growing the economy. Economic growth means more jobs, higher incomes and better public services for all Kiwis.' The fund will be used to invest in a small number of landmark projects, to support assets and facilities with a long lifespan well beyond the three-year funding period. This could include strengthening wharves and jetties, improving access routes to and from ports, or upgrading freight handling equipment. Preference will be given to applications which include co-investment. Mr Meager says the fund will also consider requests from sectors that support the resilience of the wider coastal shipping sector through, for example, energy and fuel, navigation aids, or the training of seafarers. 'Coastal shipping plays an important role in New Zealand's freight network. It provides a safe and low emitting way of transporting large, heavy cargo such as shipping containers – along with cement and aggregate used in building new infrastructure. 'It is also a lifeline when natural disaster strikes, as demonstrated following Cyclone Gabrielle when coastal shipping provided critical services to Tairāwhiti. The fund will ensure those benefits can continue. 'The fund will enhance the coastal shipping sector's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events that would otherwise undermine our coastal freight connections.'

Financial Advice New Zealand Appoints New Chair
Financial Advice New Zealand Appoints New Chair

Scoop

time3 hours ago

  • Scoop

Financial Advice New Zealand Appoints New Chair

The Board of Financial Advice New Zealand has appointed a new Chairperson following the announcement by Hon. Heather Roy, the Independent Board Chair, that she will be leaving the association on 1 July 2025 after more than 4.5 years in the role. Mr Tiumalu Peter Fa'afiu, who has already served two years on the Board, has been appointed to the role of Independent Chair and continues to provide a consumer perspective to the Board. 'Leading the Board of Financial Advice New Zealand over the last four years, seeing it grow and flourish and more recently working to strengthen our Constitution, has been a privilege' said Ms Roy. 'It is now time for me to pass the baton to someone I know is going to take the association through its next phase.' 'Peter's time on the board has given him the experience and understanding of the particular nuances of the financial advice sector to lead the board into a new era. I wish him, the board, and the professional association every success in the future.' Mr Peter Fa'afiu said he is looking forward to leading the association and continuing to champion the role of financial advice in New Zealand. 'I want to thank Heather for her steady leadership and for her passion for financial advice. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board and support our CEO Nick Hakes and his team in executing our strategic plan and strengthen our position in the community as an adviser-driven, high-engagement professional body,' Mr Fa'afiu said. 'Now is a perfect time for building new pathways for Kiwis to obtain financial advice to help manage their financial wellbeing now and in the future.' About Financial Advice New Zealand: Financial Advice New Zealand is the largest financial adviser-representative professional body for Financial Advisers and Financial Advice Providers (FAPs) in New Zealand. Our members provide trusted advice to consumers across financial planning and investments, mortgages and lending, and life, disability & health insurance, which ultimately helps Kiwis grow, manage, and protect their wealth. Today, Financial Advice New Zealand is a vibrant, innovative association, where the underlying driver of policy is that great advice transforms lives. We promote the highest professional standards for financial advice, so more New Zealanders have the confidence to actively seek quality financial advice to improve their financial health, wealth, and well-being.

Bolt enters Auckland to challenge ride-hailing market leaders
Bolt enters Auckland to challenge ride-hailing market leaders

Techday NZ

time5 hours ago

  • Techday NZ

Bolt enters Auckland to challenge ride-hailing market leaders

Bolt has launched its ride-hailing platform in Auckland, entering the New Zealand market to increase competition in the sector. The platform is now operational and aims to challenge the two companies currently dominating ride-hailing across the country. Bolt offers an alternative both for drivers, with a focus on more favourable working arrangements, and for riders, who may benefit from more affordable prices and increased service options. Bolt operates in more than 600 cities across 50 countries worldwide, where it provides ride-hailing and mobility services. The company's entry into New Zealand forms part of its broader goal to reshape urban transport, with a stated focus on supporting both drivers and riders. Adam Muirson, Bolt New Zealand General Manager, said, "New Zealand's ride-hailing market has had limited choice for too long. We're here to introduce real competition and a smarter alternative to car ownership, helping Kiwis move around cities more affordably, efficiently and with greater choice." The company has positioned itself with a driver-first approach, offering features including flexible schedules, local 24/7 support, and a commission structure designed to increase driver earnings. According to Bolt, over 4.5 million drivers and couriers are active on the platform globally. For passengers, Bolt states that its ride-hailing service is intended to offer a viable alternative to private car ownership, particularly at a time when car costs and environmental concerns are pressing. New Zealand has among the highest car ownership rates in the world, reportedly with 869 cars per 1,000 people. Recent increases in Auckland parking fees and continued congestion are considered by Bolt to be drivers of demand for other transport options. Muirson commented, "There's a shift happening. Young people are delaying or forgoing licences. Families are questioning the need for a second car. We want Bolt to be the go-to choice for everyday city trips, whether it's getting to work, heading out with friends or running errands." Bolt has highlighted several safety features integrated within its app. These include real-time trip sharing, allowing both riders and drivers to share a live trip link via SMS or WhatsApp, and driver/rider unmatching, where a one-star trip rating results in the rider and driver being unmatched for future journeys. Additionally, both groups can identify trusted contacts whom Bolt's safety team can contact in emergencies. The platform also provides 24/7 customer support and live location tracking, which users can access through the app. Safety oversight is maintained by a dedicated in-house team. With its global mission of reducing dependence on private cars and helping to alleviate strain on urban infrastructure, Bolt is positioning shared mobility as a means to lower emissions and reduce demand for space-consuming parking. The company notes that cities where ride-hailing is integrated with public transport have experienced decreased car use and congestion. Bolt is seeking to build a customer base through a focus on local service provision, technology-driven efficiency, and an emphasis on ensuring driver satisfaction. The company has announced plans to expand to Wellington and Christchurch, with additional regional centres being considered as subsequent stages of its entry into the New Zealand market. Muirson said, "We're not here to be just another app. We're here to change the way people move around New Zealand's cities."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store