2025 Hi-Tech Awards finalists revealed

H-Tech Awards trustee David Downs at the finalists announcement.

A record 300 companies entered the 2025 Hi-Tech Awards, organisers say.

New Zealand’s depth of tech talent is reflected in the line-up of finalists this year, according to Marian Johnson, chairwoman of the Hi-Tech Trust, who says the standard of entries continue to grow every year.

“It’s awesome to have received a huge number of entries this year as we celebrated the 30th of the awards. We have come so far as a sector in that time and the growth in the Hi-Tech Awards truly reflects how far the industry has come. Entries have come from right across the country and cover so many diverse technologies,” says Johnson.

“We applaud the ever-increasing diversity of the sector.

“The hi-tech sector is valued at over $17 billion and growing. It’s inspiring to see the success that so many of our companies enjoy on the international stage. This sector continues to prove its resilience and is at the forefront of our export economy.”

Results will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, May 23 at the TSB Arena in Wellington, with an expected audience of 1000-plus.

This year’s finalists:

PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year

• Crimson Education
• Kami
• Link Engine Management
• Syos Aerospace
• Tait Communications

ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year

• Calocurb
• Ideally
• Projectworks
• RoofBuddy

Punakaiki Fund Hi-Tech Start-Up Company of the Year

• Mindhive Global
• Toku Eyes
• VXT

Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual

• Denise Carter-Bennett
• Jenny Rudd
• Lee Timutimu
• Nicola Taylor

Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year

• Deep Dive Division
• Kiwa Digital
• Pursuit

Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution

• Atomic.io
• Carepatron
• Griefity
• Ideally
• Toku Eyes

Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution For a More Sustainable Future

• CarbonCrop
• Cleanery
• Neocrete
• PolyNatural
• Zincovery

Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Manufacturer of the Year

• BlueLab
• Fisher & Paykel Technologies
• Medella Health
• Mindhive Global
• The Village Goldsmith

Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector

• Ministry of Awesome
• Mission Ready HQ
• Take2
• Talent Rise
• University of Auckland Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution

• Gallagher Animal Management
• Hot Lime Labs
• Mindhive Global
• Scentian Bio

Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever

• Luke Campbell
• Mitchell Anderson

Aware Group (an HSO Company) Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution

• Kitea Health
• Scentian Bio
• Toku Eyes
• Zincovery

NZX Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution

• AdInstruments
• Contented
• Narrative
• The Village Goldsmith

Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good

• Elli Cares
• Hapai Transfer Systems
• Optimation Group