Media Release
2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards winners announced
Highlights:
- Tait Communications - Company of the Year
- Record number of entries
- Vaughan Fergusson named 2026 Flying Kiwi
- Hectre - Take out two categories
22 May, 2026 - Tait Communications took out the top honour at the 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards tonight, being named the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year. A near record number of attendees of close to 1,300 people came together to celebrate at Spark Arena in Auckland, which was also attended by a record number of Government Ministers including the Prime Minister.
Christchurch based Tait Communications made a stand out impression on the exclusive panel of international judges with them commenting. “ While Tait was founded 57 years ago the company continues to innovate on the global stage and move at speed. Not an easy achievement for such a well established company. Tait is coming off a phenomenal year, passing the half billion dollar revenue mark. It grew organically and by acquisition expanding in to new countries and introduced technically advanced new products and it competes strongly on the world stage.”
Another big winner was Hectre who took out two categories winning both the Agritech category and the Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau - Māori Company of the Year category.
Founder of Vend, Vaughan Fergusson was recognised as the 2026 Flying Kiwi and inducted into the NZ Hi-Tech Hall of Fame for not only his entrepreneurial endeavours but also for the major contribution he has made to the industry through his philanthropic contribution via the Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust and the support and mentoring of Kiwi tech founders.
More than 80 local and international judges contributed to the judging of the NZ Hi-Tech Awards which continues to see a year-on-year increase in submissions with an increasingly high calibre to match. Of the 2026 Awards New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust chair Marian Johnson saw the achievement of the Tech sector as a pride that all of Aotearoa could share in despite the last couple of challenging years “We’re witnessing an industry that is continuing exceptional growth as well as innovation and matching it with the best in the world.” said Johnson.
Tech is now New Zealand’s third-largest export sector after dairy and tourism and is valued at NZ$24 billion in GDP contribution, representing approximately 8% of the national economy. Over 119,000+ people are employed in the sector with more than NZ$11.4 billion in exports annually.
The 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards winners are:
PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year
Winner: Tait Communications
Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever
Winner: Lucy Turner – CTO and co-founder of VXT
Christchurch Airport Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good
Winner: HARK by 800 Trust
Highly Commended: EVolocity
Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector
Winner: Oxygen Advisors
Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual
Winner: Tim Young - Smart Access
Fujitsu Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution
Winner: MACSO Technologies
Highly Commended: Starboard Maritime Intelligence
GreenMount and Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year
Winner: Hectre
Tait Communications Flying Kiwi
Recipient: Vaughan Fergusson
NZX Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution
Winner: Kitten Space Agency by RocketWerkz
Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution
Winner: Partly
Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Manufacturer
Winner: Architectural Glass Products
Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution For a More Sustainable Future
Winner: TCS
Highly Commended: NZ AutoTraps
NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution
Winner: Hectre
2040 Ventures Hi-Tech Startup Company of the Year
ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year
[ENDS]
About The NZ Hi-Tech Awards
The New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards celebrate the success of our producers of goods and services from the software, electronics, telecommunications, mobile, agritech, creative and other Hi-Tech industries. The Awards are run by the NZ Hi-Tech Trust, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at promoting and supporting the wider industry. The board is comprised of trustees: Marian Johnson (Chair), Owen Gibson, Mike O’Donnell, Sarah Ramsay, Brooke Roberts, Amber Taylor, Frances Valintine, Dr Sam Yu and Dr Andrew West. For more information, go to: hitech.org.nz.
For interviews and more information, contact:
Hamish Williams - Media Liaison
027 475 4672
hamish@motuihegroup.nz
or
Bob Pinchin, Director, SwayTech (organisers of the Awards)
021 223 856
bobp@swaytech.co.nz