Latest news with #TechnologyQueenstown
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Resort to host Wit platform
Queenstown will host Asia-Pacific's leading travel technology, media and events platform next year. Announced by Technology Queenstown (TQ) founder Roger Sharp during a host-tech panel session at KingPin on Wednesday night, Web in Travel (Wit) will be held for the first time in the resort next July, marking a milestone for the Queenstown Lakes district, which aims to become a technology innovation hub. The one-day event will be held in partnership with TQ, a not-for-profit organisation founded by Mr Sharp last year, and regional investment bank North Ridge Partners. Wit founder Siew Hoon said they had "long had our sights set on Oceania". "After the success of Wit Australia in 2011, we're excited to return with Wit Queenstown ... our mission has always been to spark innovation in travel tech, from Singapore to Tokyo, Seoul, Cape Town and Dubai. "We're excited to collaborate with Technology Queenstown to build a unique edition that marries Wit insights with local strategic vision and talent." Technology Queenstown is spearheading efforts to diversify the Queenstown Lakes economy, of which tourism and hospitality account for more than 60%, by developing a world-class tech sector. It aims to build $1 billion in annual tech sector GDP in the district over the next 20 years, moving technology from less than 2% to more than 15% of GDP. Mr Sharp, who also chairs global travel business Web Travel Group, said bringing Wit to town was "a cornerstone of our strategy". Ms Hoon said because the Wakatipu attracted more than three million visitors a year, it offered a "unique southern hemisphere testing ground" for innovations that could enhance travel experiences. These would be showcased to travel operators, tech companies, destination marketing organisations, tourism boards, investors and global travel tech brands' senior executives attending Wit Queenstown. TQ chief executive Sarah Russell said through a "strategic blueprint", strong corporate support and plans to launch a university campus, they were "building the foundation" of economic diversification through tech in the Wakatipu. "Travel tech is the first cluster we're backing and Wit is central to making that happen." On Monday, the University of Otago announced it had partnered with California-headquartered company Palo Alto Networks to co-design and deliver cybersecurity education programmes in Queenstown. To start in the next year, it was the first partnership of its kind in the university's history, it said. Otago vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said it solidified the university's commitment to supporting the Queenstown Lakes region to become an "international technology centre".
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Uni, tech company join forces against cyber crime
The University of Otago could be offering a master's degree in cyber security in Queenstown in a few years' time. It announced a partnership with California-headquartered tech company Palo Alto Networks yesterday to co-design and deliver education programmes in the resort town, starting with short executive courses in the next 12 months. Otago vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said it was the first partnership of its kind in the university's history and part of its vision for engaging more closely with businesses that employed its graduates or provided research opportunities. "This partnership solidifies our commitment to supporting the Queenstown Lakes region to become an international technology centre." Getting a new academic course approved took time, but the bigger challenge would be providing accommodation for staff and students, he said. That could take up to five years. "We could get a master's degree course approved for delivery from 2027. The piece we have to fill in is getting accommodation for students and the facilities." Mr Robertson said the partnership could not have happened without the efforts of tech entrepreneur Roger Sharp, who founded non-profit agency Technology Queenstown early last year with a goal of growing the sector's contribution to the resort town's GDP from 1.5% at present to more than 15% within 20 years. Palo Alto Networks New Zealand managing director Misti Landtroop said it already had partnerships with 3300 high schools, colleges and universities around the world through its cyber-security academy. However, it was the first time a university had asked it to jointly design an academic programme. She hoped that was only the first step in the partnership. "When things start getting going, then potentially we could have internship programmes where we cross-pollinate," Ms Landtroop said. "We might have students from the University of Otago in Queenstown go to our headquarters in Santa Clara, and then vice versa, have some people come back here. "I think the sky's the limit." Former prime minister Sir John Key, who has been on the Palo Alto Networks board since 2019, said the global cyber threat was "actually terrifying for organisations". Cyber-crime was "incredibly sophisticated" and only going to get worse — "We're really only at the tip of the iceberg and it's going to get more and more deep." Public and private sector leaders in New Zealand needed to better understand how to guard against that threat. Main points — University of Otago partnership with Palo Alto Networks — Palo Alto Networks is world's largest cyber-security company — Co-designing cyber-security education programme — Short executive courses in Queenstown within a year — Aiming to offer a master's degree in the resort
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Tech Insider: Nicola Willis offers some venture capital sugar, five go tech in Queenstown, NetComm NZ falls over
Movac general partner Mark Vivian says the Government's fresh support for Elevate "is a sensible and pragmatic approach". Elevate gets an unexpected elevation. Technology Queenstown adds big names to boost its $1 billion push. NetComm NZ hits the wall. A Crown-backed venture capital fund has received a top-up. It's not nearly as much as some say is needed, but it's a step up from the general Budget 2025
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Five New Trustees Appointed To Guide Queenstown's Technology Sector Development Agency
Deep sector expertise and international talent within the line-up of trustee appointments, announced today by parent organisation Whakatipu Hangarau Trust, will strengthen Technology Queenstown's strategic focus and extend its reach, says Chair Roger Sharp. 'Queenstown Lakes District is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts and needs to diversify its economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism. Technology Queenstown is the development agency tasked with building a robust technology ecosystem for the District.' 'We are delighted to have appointed Claudia Batten, Katrina Barry, David Downs, Prue Halstead and Dino Vendetti as trustees. Collectively they bring a remarkable balance of skills and international relationships that will be invaluable as we build out the sector over the decades to come.' Katrina Barry is an experienced technology sector CEO and founder based in Australia. She is the Managing Director of Webjet Group, the leading online travel marketplace in Australia and New Zealand. Her former roles include CEO of payments company me&u, CEO of Trafalgar and Contiki Tours along with senior roles at the Virgin Group and McKinsey & Company. Claudia Batten is a technology entrepreneur and company director who recently returned to New Zealand after 20 years in the United States. She is known for her contributions to New Zealand's technology ecosystem as an active advisor and mentor and has received multiple awards for her achievements. Claudia is the Chair of NZX-listed Serko Limited, Deputy Chair of ASX-listed Michael Hill International, and sits on the boards of Vista Group and Air New Zealand. Prue Halstead is an investor and strong advocate for regional New Zealand. She is the Executive O[icer of Invest South with a mandate to invest in high growth tech businesses in the region, an Executive Committee member of Angel Association New Zealand and a founding board member of both Mainland Angel Investors and COIN South. David Downs is an experienced New Zealand senior public servant, director and technology sector expert. He is the incumbent CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious organisation marketing New Zealand to the world, holds several board director roles, has founded tech companies, and worked for Microsoft internationally. David has a focus on technology for public good. Dino Vendetti is a seasoned venture capitalist, entrepreneur and Edmund Hillary Fellow who splits his time between the United States and Portugal. He is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Seven Peaks Ventures LLC, and the Co-Founder, Investor and Board Member of CrowdStreet. Dino previously held key positions at Bay Partners, Vulcan Ventures, and Formative Ventures. 'We are thrilled to welcome such a prestigious group of trustees. We are confident that their collective expertise, global perspective and reach, and their belief in our strategy will be instrumental in guiding TQ's mission.' Having started in the role last month, it is great to have the momentum continue with today's announcement, says Technology Queenstown's inaugural Chief Executive O[icer Sarah Russell. 'Each trustee brings a wealth of technology and investment experience, deep insights, and a shared commitment to fostering technological advancements that benefit communities worldwide,' 'The breadth of backgrounds, including non-profit, public and private sectors, will ensure a well rounded and comprehensive approach to our initiatives' 'I am thrilled to have this collective wisdom and capability to draw on and to provide the level of strategic direction and guidance we know from international experiences is required to successfully attract global technology platforms and support local technology companies to scale globally.' Whakatipu Hangarau Trust will have up to eight trustees in total, including the Chair, with further announcements expected as the group becomes operational. Notes: About Technology Queenstown Technology Queenstown was founded in 2024 with a mission to build $1 billion in annual technology sector GDP in Queenstown Lakes District over the next 20 years. It aims to create new high-value employment opportunities and to enhance economic prosperity in the district through moving technology from less than 2% to more than 15% of GDP. Technology Queenstown is a privately funded not-for-profit agency. It is backed by leading New Zealand and global enterprises that are passionate about creating economic growth in regional New Zealand and diversifying the Queenstown economy through the technology sector. Whakatipu Hangarau Trust is the parent organisation and is a not-for-profit trust gifted its name by South Island iwi Ngāi Tahu. About the Technology Queenstown Chair and CEO Roger Sharp is a technology sector Chair and advisor with 30+ years' experience in the sector. He currently chairs two ASX-200 technology companies, Web Travel Group and Iress, and regional tech investment bank North Ridge Partners. He was previously Chair of Lotto New Zealand and the Stu[ Advisory Board, Deputy Chair of Tourism New Zealand, and Global Head of Technology for ABN AMRO Bank. Sarah Russell brings a wealth of experience and strategic leadership to TQ. After an international career in banking, in 2017 she co-founded Sydney-based AI software company Elula with its products now used by some of Australia's largest banks to deliver better customer experiences. Sarah holds a Master of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of Canterbury. Technology Queenstown Corporate Partners TQ has been launched with funding from Accenture, SBS Bank, Genesis Energy, One NZ, the University of Otago, Queenstown Resort College, Russell McVeagh, NZTE, QLDC and North Ridge Partners. Several new corporate partners are expected to join in 2025.
