Creating Good Tech: How Kiwi Innovation is Making Tomorrow Better

When we talk about 'Creating Good Tech' – a key pillar of Techweek25 – we're not just thinking about clever innovations. We're talking about technology that makes tomorrow better for people and our planet. Here in Aotearoa, where we're among the first to see tomorrow's sunrise, our tech community is focused on ensuring that future is one worth seeing.

From our largest cities to smallest towns, Kiwi innovators are tackling some of the world's biggest challenges. And they're doing it with a unique perspective, guided by the Māori value of kaitiakitanga – the principle of guardianship for people, place, and planet.

Take Dawn Aerospace in Christchurch, who are revolutionizing space transportation with their zero-debris approach to satellite deployment (Dawn's CEO, Stefan Powell, spoke at Techweek's launch event last year). Or consider Mint Innovation, who've found an environmentally friendly way to recover precious metals from e-waste, producing 91% less carbon than conventional methods. These aren't just smart solutions – they're responsible ones.

Our innovators are finding value in unexpected places. CarbonScape is turning wood chips into sustainable graphite for electric car batteries. AgriSea is using seaweed to improve soil health and reduce livestock emissions. Alongside Scion, they've developed Nano-sea, a sustainable nano-cellulose hydrogel with a huge range of potential applications. Zerojet is making boating cleaner with zero-emission electric motors. Each of these companies shows how good tech can transform waste into opportunity and challenges into solutions.

But creating good tech isn't just about environmental innovation. It's also about using technology to build a more equitable society. Companies like Ask Your Team are using technology to help businesses build more inclusive workplace cultures, while Chnnl's digital platform provides crucial insights into employee mental health and wellbeing. These innovations show how technology can create positive social impact alongside business success.

What makes these innovations truly special is their practical impact. When Seequent's technology helps humanitarian organizations locate water for refugee camps, or when AR Cubed's smart bins make recycling more efficient, we see how good tech can make a real difference in people's lives.

At Techweek25, we'll explore what it means to create technology with purpose:

• How can we ensure innovation serves both profit and planet
• What role can technology play in building a more equitable society?
• How do we scale solutions while staying true to our values
• What opportunities exist for collaboration between traditional knowledge and modern innovation?

The momentum is building. The number of Kiwi cleantech businesses has nearly doubled in the past six years, with hundreds now operating across sectors like energy, agriculture, and construction. Together, they're proving that what's good for the world can also be good for business.

Join us at Techweek25 to discover how New Zealand's tech sector is creating solutions that benefit people and planet. Whether you're developing technology, investing in innovation, or simply interested in how tech can be a force for good, there's a place for you in this conversation.