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Chris Keall
Technology Editor/Senior Business Writer

Chris Keall is the technology editor and a senior business writer for the NZ Herald.

Chris has spent more than 20 years as a business and technology journalist. His past roles included editor of NZ PC World, editor of Internet Magazine, editor of home theatre and gadget title >>FFWD and technology editor for NBR. He has a BA from the University of Auckland and is the author of two books published by HarperCollins, including Download: The Internet Made Easy. His awards include the Magazine Publishers’ Association Business Magazine Editor of the Year. You can contact Chris at chris.keall@nzme.co.nz.

Check out Chris’s latest content
Premium
Yamaha buys Tauranga’s Robotics Plus, unveils big plans
The Country

Yamaha buys Tauranga’s Robotics Plus, unveils big plans

24 Feb 11:06 PM
The untold story behind one of NZ’s most successful start-ups
The Country

The untold story behind one of NZ’s most successful start-ups

09 Aug 05:00 PM

PLUS: The animal welfare issue, the start-up's latest offshore push.

Premium
Rural broadband: Chorus' $2.5b proposal for new telco minister Paul Goldsmith
The Country

Rural broadband: Chorus' $2.5b proposal for new telco minister Paul Goldsmith

06 May 10:45 PM

The plan would extend ultra-fast broadband to 95 per cent of the population.

Premium
Chicken-free chicken maker Sunfed Meats shutting down, owner lets rip
The Country

Chicken-free chicken maker Sunfed Meats shutting down, owner lets rip

08 Apr 05:07 AM

An investor sees a pricing issue, the plant-based 'meat' sector faces pushback.

Some scientists question its usefulness as MethaneSAT becomes NZ’s first Government-funded space mission - to the tune of $29m
The Country

Some scientists question its usefulness as MethaneSAT becomes NZ’s first Government-funded space mission - to the tune of $29m

05 Mar 03:15 AM

Backers defend spned.

Premium
Poor rural broadband highlighted in briefing to new Communications Minister
The Country

Poor rural broadband highlighted in briefing to new Communications Minister

01 Feb 01:30 AM

Elon Musk's Starlink could be in for more costs and regulation, if MBIE gets its way.

Premium
Allbirds dives to new low as its quarterly loss widens to US$32m
The Country

Allbirds dives to new low as its quarterly loss widens to US$32m

08 Nov 10:25 PM

The firm, co-founded by ex-All White Tim Brown, says its Christmas will be even tougher.

Premium
Former IBM man’s start-up, ClimateTracker, helps firms grapple with new climate reporting requirements
The Country

Former IBM man’s start-up, ClimateTracker, helps firms grapple with new climate reporting requirements

06 Nov 04:00 PM

A big customer win locally, and a global hook-up with AWS.

Free Starlink for 40 rural schools
The Country

Free Starlink for 40 rural schools

20 Sep 01:24 AM

Network For Learning and 2degrees partner on Ministry of Education-funded programme.

Premium
Fresh off $85m raise, Halter launches ‘smart grass’
The Country

Fresh off $85m raise, Halter launches ‘smart grass’

05 Sep 05:00 PM

“Often you’ll hear dairy farmers say they’re actually grass farmers," says Halter CEO.

Premium
The 27-year-old Kiwi serial inventor onto his fourth startup sale
The Country

The 27-year-old Kiwi serial inventor onto his fourth startup sale

29 Jul 05:00 PM

Serial inventor says Shear Edge offers new hope for strong wool.

Premium
Rural broadband: People are paying more for less, regulator says
The Country

Rural broadband: People are paying more for less, regulator says

15 Jun 05:32 AM

Industry reacts to Commerce Commission’s Annual Telecommunications Monitoring Report.

Premium
Changes at Chorus as two veterans exit - and one takes more power
The Country

Changes at Chorus as two veterans exit - and one takes more power

22 May 11:22 PM

The broadband network operator is restructuring into three business units.

Premium
Chorus: $500m needed for better rural broadband
The Country

Chorus: $500m needed for better rural broadband

17 May 10:51 PM

UFB network operator sets date to retire copper.

Premium
Quid pro quo for free spectrum: Telcos reveal 5G rural upgrade spend. A good deal?
The Country

Quid pro quo for free spectrum: Telcos reveal 5G rural upgrade spend. A good deal?

12 May 05:30 AM

More details revealed of a scheme that's seen telcos receive spectrum at no cost.

Premium
‘Predatory’ - rural ISPs on Starlink’s cut-price new deal for Kiwis
The Country

‘Predatory’ - rural ISPs on Starlink’s cut-price new deal for Kiwis

02 Apr 09:15 PM

Competition lawyer weighs in.

Premium
Smart cow start-up Halter raises $85m, reveals early uptake
The Country

Smart cow start-up Halter raises $85m, reveals early uptake

29 Mar 04:00 PM

Rocket Lab link helps bolster the Auckland/Waikato start-up.

Premium
Woolchemy’s plan to transform strong wool gets venture capital backing
The Country

Woolchemy’s plan to transform strong wool gets venture capital backing

28 Feb 04:00 PM

Startup takes on synthetics in $165 billion market.

Premium
No longer the ‘it’ shoe? Allbirds responds to WSJ slam
The Country

No longer the ‘it’ shoe? Allbirds responds to WSJ slam

16 Jan 04:43 AM

Firm responds to criticism over durability, repeat purchasing, and 'tech bro' sentiment.

Premium
Govt’s new $2000 broadband installation grant for rural homes  - Starlink will be eligible
The Country

Govt’s new $2000 broadband installation grant for rural homes - Starlink will be eligible

01 Dec 11:51 PM

New $15m scheme will cover about 7500 remote households.

Premium
Kiwi lab-grown meat start-up breaks out of stealth mode
The Country

Kiwi lab-grown meat start-up breaks out of stealth mode

21 Nov 04:23 AM

Beef + Lamb NZ reacts to product makers say is not a replacement for animal agriculture.

Premium
CSI wine: Kiwi firm raises $58m, launches proof-of-origin mark for wine
The Country

CSI wine: Kiwi firm raises $58m, launches proof-of-origin mark for wine

16 Oct 04:00 PM

Tech pitched as the answer to a global counterfeiting crisis.

Premium
Smart collars for cows: Halter eyes fresh pastures abroad
The Country

Smart collars for cows: Halter eyes fresh pastures abroad

06 Sep 05:20 AM

Startup says its product is now on hundreds of farms, helping to address labour shortages.

Premium
Spark 5G trials super fast flavour of 5G in Canterbury, all mobile players raise questions about Starlink freeloading
The Country

Spark 5G trials super fast flavour of 5G in Canterbury, all mobile players raise questions about Starlink freeloading

21 Jul 05:30 AM

PLUS: 'Is Elon Musk freeloading?', and other new spectrum auction questions.

Premium
'Brain milk'? Ārepa breaks into Woolies, fields Fonterra and Nestlé offers
The Country

'Brain milk'? Ārepa breaks into Woolies, fields Fonterra and Nestlé offers

22 Jun 05:28 AM

$5m raise will help attack the US market.

$47m in Covid relief funds to boost wobbly rural broadband
The Country

$47m in Covid relief funds to boost wobbly rural broadband

23 Feb 04:24 AM

Rural broadband a sore point even before the pandemic.

Premium
Threat to our farming? NZ-founded, vat-grown cheese startup raises US$25m
The Country

Threat to our farming? NZ-founded, vat-grown cheese startup raises US$25m

23 Nov 04:35 AM

Startup sees lab-grown meat and dairy products as alternative to animal protein.

Ex-All White Tim Brown a $650m man as Allbirds shares double on Nasdaq debut
The Country

Ex-All White Tim Brown a $650m man as Allbirds shares double on Nasdaq debut

03 Nov 05:47 PM

Thousands of Kiwi investors pile in as company smashes target.

Premium
The $300m man: Allbirds IPO to boost Tim Brown's wealth
The Country

The $300m man: Allbirds IPO to boost Tim Brown's wealth

27 Oct 04:25 AM

Wider loss revealed; $300 million payday for ex-All White co-founder Tim Brown.

NZ maker of key vaccine ingredient buys Aussie rival
The Country

NZ maker of key vaccine ingredient buys Aussie rival

28 Sep 08:03 PM

Maker of animal serums, which help with vaccines, expands.

Ex-All White Tim Brown's Allbirds files for multi-billion IPO
The Country

Ex-All White Tim Brown's Allbirds files for multi-billion IPO

31 Aug 06:51 PM

Filing reveals big ambitions but, for now, also big lossses.

Premium
A feast of urban broadband but rural internet a 'stale donut'
The Country

A feast of urban broadband but rural internet a 'stale donut'

03 Aug 05:24 AM

MBIE's latest official stats reveal a rollout of two halves.

Huge spike in EV sales as feebate kicks in
The Country

Huge spike in EV sales as feebate kicks in

03 Aug 05:15 AM

Chips shortages cause delivery delays, but 2021 sales break records regardless.

Supermarkets face 'their Telecom moment'
The Country

Supermarkets face 'their Telecom moment'

28 Jul 11:37 PM

Food & Grocery Council welcomes report showing excessive profits among supermarkets.

Premium
Blenheim's Smart Machine creates 'world-first' viticulture robots
The Country

Blenheim's Smart Machine creates 'world-first' viticulture robots

17 May 05:27 AM

The answer to vinyards labour shortage: robots.

Premium
Peter Beck-backed smart cow startup raises $32m - what's next
The Country

Peter Beck-backed smart cow startup raises $32m - what's next

26 Apr 10:36 PM

First moover advantage.

Premium
Rural ISPs attack 'utterly insane' Vodafone plan, 'foot-dragging' minister
The Country

Rural ISPs attack 'utterly insane' Vodafone plan, 'foot-dragging' minister

08 Mar 04:37 AM

Vodafone, Spark, Clark respond to slams from Wispa.

Microsoft confirms anchor customer for its first NZ data centre
The Country

Microsoft confirms anchor customer for its first NZ data centre

30 Jul 05:25 AM

Dampens Bluff talk.

Pāua play: Bluff freezing works converted for aquaculture;  thousands of jobs in offing
The Country

Pāua play: Bluff freezing works converted for aquaculture; thousands of jobs in offing

29 Jul 05:30 AM

AUT and Bhatnagar-backed effort could help region hit by Rio Tinto's smelter closure.

Premium
Fonterra targeted by hackers
The Country

Fonterra targeted by hackers

15 Jul 05:35 AM

Dairy giant's CIO on heightened attacks.

Premium
Spark, Vodafone trade blows with new rural wireless broadband deals
The Country

Spark, Vodafone trade blows with new rural wireless broadband deals

30 Jun 05:32 AM

Killer offers as Covid-19 relief measures wind down.

Premium
Continuous Disclosure: Market moves for Aroa Biosurgery, Fonterra and Abano
The Country

Continuous Disclosure: Market moves for Aroa Biosurgery, Fonterra and Abano

16 Jun 01:00 AM

Keeping you in the know on the biggest market moves.

Premium
After sending $20m contract to India's HCL in February, Fonterra told to 'buy-local' for new tender
The Country

After sending $20m contract to India's HCL in February, Fonterra told to 'buy-local' for new tender

29 May 05:55 AM

A previous $20 million contract went to India's HCL.

Premium
$15m for rural broadband not enough, user group says
The Country

$15m for rural broadband not enough, user group says

29 Apr 05:54 AM

Rural broadband advocate lays out his ambition.

Covid-19: Vodafone responds to disgruntled rural users
The Country

Covid-19: Vodafone responds to disgruntled rural users

27 Mar 06:29 PM

Telco suggests avoiding video and music streaming services, among other measures.

Premium
Graze anatomy: Smart-cow startup nears launch
The Country

Graze anatomy: Smart-cow startup nears launch

02 Mar 04:45 AM

Key appointment as startup begins its final countdown.

Premium
Oz harness racing ponies up for 'revolutionary' Kiwi tech
The Country

Oz harness racing ponies up for 'revolutionary' Kiwi tech

17 Dec 04:00 PM

Kiwi technology attracts interest from across the Tasman.

Premium
Kiwi electric motorbike maker Ubco unveils new models, $5m raise
The Country

Kiwi electric motorbike maker Ubco unveils new models, $5m raise

08 Nov 04:52 AM

Tauranga startup buys out its US partner.

Tech sector to surpass dairy in 3-5 years: TIN boss
The Country

Tech sector to surpass dairy in 3-5 years: TIN boss

31 Oct 09:00 AM

Report ranks our largest and fastest-growing technology companies.

Spark springs 5G surprise with rural wireless
The Country

Spark springs 5G surprise with rural wireless

25 Sep 06:41 PM

Customers in Alexandra, Central Otago, will be able to access the network.

Premium
Can Allbirds fight Amazon's copycat shoes? Expert's verdict
The Country

Can Allbirds fight Amazon's copycat shoes? Expert's verdict

24 Sep 06:30 AM

Allbirds hits back at Amazon.

Chathams get free Rugby World Cup streaming
The Country

Chathams get free Rugby World Cup streaming

16 Sep 11:30 PM

Remote island may have better RCW coverage than parts of rural NZ.

Cannabis infusions and other craft beer trends that could be heading for NZ
The Country

Cannabis infusions and other craft beer trends that could be heading for NZ

07 Sep 09:14 PM

Portland expert on glitter beers, green beers and more.

Premium
Fonterra poised to ditch NZ tech provider for Indian outsourcer: insider
The Country

Fonterra poised to ditch NZ tech provider for Indian outsourcer: insider

14 Aug 06:17 AM

NZ IT providers have the chops, and Fonterra should buy local, lobby group says.

Chicken-free Chicken maker Sunfed invades Australia
The Country

Chicken-free Chicken maker Sunfed invades Australia

19 Jun 07:37 PM

Take that, James Cameron. Fake meat maker gets a real deal with a major supermarket chain.

RWC fibre jam: Chorus can only connect 50,000 before kickoff
The Country

RWC fibre jam: Chorus can only connect 50,000 before kickoff

12 Jun 06:35 AM

"There's a real risk that rugby fans will miss out," Enable says.

Spark Sport boss pins blame for hockey stuff-up
The Country

Spark Sport boss pins blame for hockey stuff-up

25 Apr 09:08 PM

Hockey fans miss out on the first quarter of the Anzac Day clash.

Allbirds imposes a carbon tax on itself
The Country

Allbirds imposes a carbon tax on itself

22 Apr 05:00 PM

Ex-All White's startup gets greener.

Some rural customers won't get Spark Sport - Spark Sport boss
The Country

Some rural customers won't get Spark Sport - Spark Sport boss

16 Apr 06:30 AM

Telco exec addresses 'pissed off' rural customer.

$90 too much to watch the RWC? Spark boss bites back
The Country

$90 too much to watch the RWC? Spark boss bites back

15 Apr 08:23 PM

How the price compares.

Kiwis creating mozzarella, no animals required
The Country

Kiwis creating mozzarella, no animals required

08 Apr 05:00 PM

Kiwi startup anticipates a backlash from the dairy industry.

Chorus unbundled UFB pricing labelled 'cynical', 'uneconomic'
The Country

Chorus unbundled UFB pricing labelled 'cynical', 'uneconomic'

28 Mar 05:00 AM

Horse-trading begins over unbundled UFB pricing. Vocus calls it 'ridiculous' and 'cynical'

Treaty claim looms as new stumbling block for Spark's 5G ambitions
The Country

Treaty claim looms as new stumbling block for Spark's 5G ambitions

01 Mar 04:00 PM

Faafoi says claim has to be resolved before 5G spectrum auction details are fianlised.

Group hunts predators with new Internet of Things network
The Country

Group hunts predators with new Internet of Things network

20 Nov 03:09 AM

A new weapon in the war on possums, stoats, and rats.

Taxpayer chips in as chicken-free chicken maker raises $10m
The Country

Taxpayer chips in as chicken-free chicken maker raises $10m

15 Nov 04:43 AM

The Auckland-based startup sells a chicken-substitute made from chickpeas.

Yamaha invests $12m in NZ's Robotics Plus
The Country

Yamaha invests $12m in NZ's Robotics Plus

14 Nov 05:47 PM

Robots could be the answer to the shortage of human Apple pickers.

ASB claims blockchain first with meat export deal
The Country

ASB claims blockchain first with meat export deal

01 Nov 02:00 AM

Pair say a transaction normally taking four days was wrapped up in an hour.

Deal values Kiwi Tim Brown's sneaker firm at $2b
The Country

Deal values Kiwi Tim Brown's sneaker firm at $2b

11 Oct 09:04 PM

Trendy merino shoe company raises US$50m at US$1.4b valuation.

Neighbours in court over claim trees blocking Wi-Fi
The Country

Neighbours in court over claim trees blocking Wi-Fi

18 Sep 12:20 AM

Expert says the case could lead to a flurry of legal action.

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