Winners criticise loss of research support

Three of New Zealand's top technology business people who were yesterday named the 2008 NZX Flying Kiwis, have reservations about the new Government's support for their sector.

Software developer Sir Gil Simpson, electronics pioneer Dennis Chapman and digital animation visionary Ian Taylor were also inducted into the PricewaterhouseCoopers Hi-Tech hall of fame.

There were 35 nominations for the award. The three winners Simpson and Chapman from Christchurch and Taylor from Dunedin largely credited their success to the quality of electrical engineering graduates coming out of both Canterbury and Otago universities and the legacy of influential technologists Professor Richard Bates and Sir Angus Tait.

They said they were concerned about the new Government's decision to scrap the research and development tax credit. Taylor said his business had had a good run under Labour, as there had been people pushing technology.

But Simpson said he was looking forward to a Government that was more inclusive of business.