Tait Communications wins top NZ Hi-Tech Awards prize
Sun, 24th May 2026 (Today)
Tait Communications has won the top prize at the 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, with the Christchurch company named Hi-Tech Company of the Year.
The award was presented at a ceremony in Auckland attended by nearly 1,300 people, according to organisers. The event also drew a record number of government ministers, including the Prime Minister.
An international judging panel cited Tait's longevity and recent commercial growth. It noted the company had passed the half-billion-dollar revenue mark through acquisitions and organic expansion into new countries.
Judges also highlighted Tait's introduction of new products and its strong performance in international markets. Founded 57 years ago, the communications technology company is one of New Zealand's more established tech businesses.
Another notable winner was Hectre, which took two categories: Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution and Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau - Māori Company of the Year.
Vaughan Fergusson, founder of Vend, was named the 2026 Flying Kiwi and inducted into the NZ Hi-Tech Hall of Fame. The recognition reflected both his record as an entrepreneur and his contribution to the sector through philanthropy, mentoring, and support for New Zealand technology founders.
More than 80 local and international judges assessed this year's entries. Organisers said submissions continued to rise year on year and that the standard of entrants remained high.
That growth comes as the technology sector has become a larger part of the New Zealand economy. The industry is now the country's third-largest export sector after dairy and tourism, contributing NZ$24 billion to GDP, or about 8% of the economy.
More than 119,000 people work in the sector, while annual exports exceed NZ$11.4 billion. Those figures have helped place the awards within a wider debate about technology's role in diversifying New Zealand's export base beyond traditional industries.
Marian Johnson, chair of the New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust, used the awards to highlight the sector's resilience after a difficult period for the economy. "We're witnessing an industry that is continuing exceptional growth and innovation, while matching it with the best in the world," she said.
Key winners
Alongside Tait and Hectre, several other companies and individuals were recognised across software, hardware, creative technology, sustainability, and public good categories. Lucy Turner, chief technology officer and co-founder of VXT, won the Young Achiever award.
HARK by 800 Trust won Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good, with EVolocity receiving a highly commended mention. Oxygen Advisors took Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector, while Tim Young won the Inspiring Individual category.
In deep tech, MACSO won Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution, with Starboard Maritime Intelligence highly commended. RocketWerkz project Kitten Space Agency won Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution.
Partly won the software category, Architectural Glass Products took the manufacturing prize, and TCS won Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future. NZ AutoTraps was highly commended in the sustainability category.
Kara Technologies was named Startup Company of the Year, while Calocurb won Emerging Company of the Year. The awards reflected the breadth of companies operating across New Zealand's technology sector, from early-stage ventures to established exporters.
The full list of winners also underscored the spread of activity beyond Auckland. Christchurch featured prominently through Tait's top award, while agritech and industrial technology businesses were also among the strongest performers.
The judges said Tait's performance showed how difficult it is for a mature company to sustain momentum. "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 into new countries, introduced technically advanced new products, and competes strongly on the world stage," they said.