Tech: Porn site pulled amid age stoush, Auckland makes bid
Photo:
RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Technology commentator Peter Griffin joins Kathryn to talk about Pornhub's decision to suspend its site in France amid plans to introduce age verification, but is it really possible to get a system that works?
Auckland wants to make tech and innovation central to its growth plan.
Peter looks at Mayor Wayne Brown's pitch to government to base the new technology research institute in his city, while also examining what happened to Wellington's reputation as a tech hub.
Peter Griffin is a Wellington-based science and technology journalist

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Techday NZ
5 hours ago
- Techday NZ
Atturra rebrands Plan B to expand IT services in New Zealand
Atturra has confirmed that Auckland-based Plan B Limited will rebrand as Atturra, following its recent acquisition by the advisory and technology services business. The rebranding will take effect from 31 July 2025, marking the integration of Plan B's nationwide network of five data centres and its portfolio of over 1,000 clients into Atturra's operations. Atturra's expansion in New Zealand brings five business divisions to the market: Managed Services, Cloud Services, Business Applications, Data and Integration, and Advisory and Consulting. The move aligns with Atturra's commitment to delivering a broad IT solutions portfolio across Australia and New Zealand, further strengthened by the recent acquisition of ComActivity, which provides Infor M3 ERP services. Expanded services As part of its local service expansion, Atturra is introducing several new offerings for New Zealand clients. These include enhanced end user support focused on "modern workplace/helpdesk" services, aiming to improve staff productivity through desktop and workplace technology solutions. The enhanced security suite will offer cybersecurity services designed to safeguard organisations' data and infrastructure, leveraging Atturra's skills in managed security, threat prevention, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Public cloud services, including expertise with major cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and AWS, will also be available. These services cover the architecture, deployment, and management of cloud solutions, supported by Atturra's managed cloud services team. Additionally, a procurement service will enable streamlined access to hardware and software through Atturra's supplier network, offering end-to-end provisioning for IT equipment and software licensing. Leadership appointments Atturra has announced several senior leadership appointments alongside the rebrand. Frazer Scott has been named Country Manager for New Zealand and will also support Atturra's ANZ network strategy. His remit includes aligning the company's go-to-market efforts in New Zealand and leading the managed services division locally. The company's regional leadership team, predominantly based in Auckland, has also been drawn from existing Plan B talent. The team includes Diego Nievas as Chief Technology Officer, leading technical strategy and innovation for managed services across Australia and New Zealand; Sachin Jain as Director, Customer Experience, overseeing delivery and client success; and Rudi Hefer as Director, Commercial and Connect, responsible for the ANZ networking, connectivity business, and commercial and channel activities. "Our enhanced service portfolio will allow Atturra to deliver more comprehensive, integrated solutions - from infrastructure to cloud and user support - tailored to New Zealand organisations. Frazer Scott commented further on the transition, stating, "While existing clients will see no immediate changes to the services they receive and will continue working with the same local team, work is underway to combine Plan B's infrastructure and local expertise with Atturra's broader solutions and resources. Shared planning, cross-training, and alignment workshops will help teams operate as one. Clients can expect improved innovation and delivery as a result." The leadership restructuring aims to reinforce Atturra's commitment to managed services, local leadership, and collaboration across regions. The company intends for existing Plan B clients to benefit from a seamless transition with continued support from the local team, while accessing a broader suite of services under Atturra's brand. Atturra's clients span a wide range of industries including government, utilities, education, defence, financial services, and manufacturing. Its partnerships with global technology providers such as Boomi, Cisco, HP, HPE, Infor, Microsoft, Nuix, OpenText, QAD, Smartsheet, Snowflake, and Software AG underpin the company's service offerings. The rebrand and leadership appointments underscore Atturra's strategy to deliver expanded IT services to organisations in New Zealand while integrating Plan B's local experience and resources into its broader operational framework.


Techday NZ
2 days ago
- Techday NZ
AoFrio launches iQ to boost global smart refrigeration fleets
AoFrio has announced the launch of a new software-as-a-service solution, AoFrio iQ, aimed at enhancing commercial refrigeration management and supporting the company's recurring revenue growth strategy. The AoFrio iQ solution combines Internet of Things (IoT) hardware with a software platform for insights and remote management, reflecting a shift towards subscription-based income for the Auckland-based company. Annual subscriptions are anticipated to become a greater portion of AoFrio's overall revenue as the product gains traction globally. Greg Balla, Chief Executive of AoFrio, described the development as a major milestone for the company and highlighted the platform's capabilities for customers with large fleets of commercial coolers. "This is a bold step forward in how we deliver value to our customers. AoFrio iQ unlocks the full potential of our data and redefines what's possible with connected refrigeration fleets. It's the most integrated solution on the market, helping businesses operate more efficiently, reduce costs and future-proof their fleets," says Balla. Central to the new offering is the SCS 800 cellular-connected controller, a device which enables direct two-way communication between cooling equipment and the AoFrio iQ platform. This connectivity is designed to provide businesses with timely data and controls, allowing them to respond rapidly to issues and make decisions that improve efficiency. AoFrio asserts that the features of the iQ platform provide actionable intelligence for reducing equipment downtime and improving revenue. Key functions include real-time fleet monitoring, allowing users to track the health, performance and location of cooling units across an entire fleet. Through the platform's remote management capabilities, operators can modify equipment settings or perform diagnostic checks without physically accessing units, potentially reducing maintenance expenses and streamlining operations. The platform is also designed for compatibility with a range of existing hardware, making it suitable for both new installations and retrofitting older equipment. AoFrio's technology is already adopted by several international beverage brands and equipment manufacturers, with the company stating that it has connected more than three-quarters of the world's smart refrigeration units. The launch of AoFrio iQ is positioned as a move to increase its presence further in key overseas markets in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The latest product utilises the company's hardware, such as energy-efficient ECR motors and monitoring devices, within a single platform that AoFrio says is designed to support the long-term requirements of its clients. "AoFrio iQ represents a strategic shift toward full-fleet intelligence. It's designed to scale with our customers' needs, using insights to drive long-term value and more sustainable refrigeration," adds Balla. According to the company, AoFrio iQ's development was driven by direct customer feedback on pain points experienced in managing commercial refrigeration fleets. AoFrio describes its offering as the only fully integrated hardware and software solution available at scale, aiming to reduce complexity for customers and promote operational efficiency across international markets. The global expansion of AoFrio iQ is seen as a response to growing demand for connected, remotely controlled refrigeration, with the company expecting this will help further establish its position in the sector. Follow us on: Share on:

RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Research questions
New research from Auckland University suggests vape companies may be skirting advertising rules, that have been in place since 2020, with branding on vape recycling and phone charging stations. VapeCycle is a recycling initiative run by the vape company VAPO. VAPO has sponsored music festivals in the past, and is one of the many vape brands owned by VEC Limited. VapeCycle boxes - where people can dispose of their empty vapes, appeared, for example at 2024's Rhythm and Vines, and Northern bass festivals - with VEC Limited product branding on the recycling boxes. Pictures of the vape boxes on Rhythm and Vines' website show them with pictures of bright vapes - however VAPO says at the festival itself, these were not the boxes used - but they had been used in other locations in the past. Lucy Hardie is a public health researcher at Auckland Univeristy and says the imagery, and branding, may be perceived as product promotion, which is prohibited. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.