CHICAGO and AUCKLAND — Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (Grant Thornton Advisors) today announced that its multinational platform is growing to include Grant Thornton New Zealand — a move that extends the platform’s reach across 20 time zones into the Asia Pacific region.
The New Zealand firm is a recognized leader in its region, with US$40+ million in annual revenue and a team of more than 300 dedicated professionals. It is known for its strength in key markets and its reputation for delivering leading audit, tax and advisory services.
Grant Thornton Advisors launched its platform earlier this year with the support of an investor group led by New Mountain Capital — and is already bringing more than a dozen high-performing firms across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East into an integrated advisory and tax practice, complemented by independent audit practices.
The platform currently includes Grant Thornton firms in the US, Ireland, France, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, the Channel Islands and the Cayman Islands. Additionally, it previously announced transactions with Grant Thornton firms in Spain, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium and Luxembourg, which it anticipates closing in the coming weeks. Further, it has added top firms serving strategic markets and industries, including Auxis, a pioneer in outsourcing and business modernization — and Stax, a specialist in commercial due diligence and value creation.
“Modern businesses demand seamless service and consistent quality — whether they’re operating in New York, Auckland or locations in between,” said Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC. “By welcoming Grant Thornton New Zealand to our platform, we’re expanding our multinational reach into a vital region with a firm that shares our ambition and values. Together, we’re building a truly borderless one-of-a-kind platform that delivers exceptional outcomes across industries and geographies.”
According to Russell Moore, CEO of Grant Thornton New Zealand: “This is an extremely exciting time for Grant Thornton New Zealand — for our business, our people and for the clients we work alongside. As our market continues to evolve, businesses are looking for smarter solutions, deeper expertise and global connectivity. By joining Grant Thornton Advisors, we can deliver all three — bringing world-class technology, insight and capital to help our clients grow with confidence, both in New Zealand and beyond.”
The transaction is expected to close later this year.
The expanded platform will continue to be part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which comprises member firms in more than 150 markets worldwide.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and MinterEllisonRuddWatts provided transaction services to Grant Thornton Advisors. Major advisors to Grant Thornton New Zealand included Tompkins Wake.
About Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton delivers professional services in the US through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In January 2025, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform. The platform offers a premier advisory and tax practice, as well as independent audit practices. With offices across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of more than 18,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.
About Grant Thornton New Zealand
Grant Thornton New Zealand is a leading professional services firm providing audit, tax, and advisory services to dynamic organisations across key sectors of the New Zealand economy. With 37 partners and more than 300 professionals and in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, we combine local insight with global reach through the Grant Thornton International network, spanning more than 150 markets.
We’re known for our collaborative, client-centred approach and invest the time needed to understand each client’s ambitions, challenges and opportunities. Our teams combine deep technical expertise with fresh, commercial insight to deliver practical solutions that create real impact. Agile and responsive, we work alongside clients to achieve the outcomes that matter most - whether that’s improving performance, growing value, or building investor and stakeholder confidence.
About New Mountain Capital
New Mountain Capital is a New York-based investment firm that emphasizes business building and growth, rather than debt, as it pursues long-term capital appreciation. The firm currently manages private equity, credit and net lease investment strategies with approximately $55 billion in assets under management. New Mountain Capital seeks out what it believes to be the highest quality growth leaders in carefully selected industry sectors and then works intensively with management to build the value of these companies. For more information on New Mountain Capital, please visit newmountaincapital.com.
Source: https://www.grantthornton.com/
A Single Intelligent Portal Now Connects Any Parking Space— Indoor Or Outdoor, Off-Street Or On-Street—Worldwide.
Los Angeles, CA and Auckland, New Zealand – (November 3, 2025) – ParkHelp, the global leader in parking guidance solutions, announced today its acquisition of Cleverciti Systems GmbH, the worldwide leader in AI-powered curb management, on-street parking guidance, and guided enforcement solutions. The acquisition creates the industry’s most comprehensive, end-to-end platform—a unified ecosystem of technologies that reduces traffic congestion, increases revenue, and maximizes compliance and efficiency.
“Cleverciti brings world-class AI, data intelligence, and sensor technology to the ParkHelp ecosystem,” said ParkHelp’s CEO Poojitha Preena. “Together, we’re the only global provider able to manage every parking space—on-street or off-street, indoor or outdoor—from one unified, cloud-based platform.”
“For years, operators have had to piece together fragmented parking technologies,” said Cleverciti CEO David Parker. “Now, with our unified Portal, they can have a single source of truth for all occupancy, curbside activity, payments, and enforcement data. Whether managing a city’s entire curb network, an airport, or a university campus, clients can deliver a seamless, data-driven experience to drivers and enforcement teams alike—indoor or outdoor, on-street or off-street.”
Cleverciti’s curbside, on-street, and open-air off-street technologies are used in over 100 cities across the globe to reduce congestion, increase compliance, and enhance the driver experience using patented AI-enabled overhead sensors, real-time occupancy detection, state-of-the art LED digital signage, and guided enforcement. These technologies perfectly complement ParkHelp’s off-street sensor-based guidance systems and digital signage solutions, and the two platforms will now be combined to offer city operators and private asset owners a single, cohesive solution.
The combined platform will enable clients to:
Monitor and manage every parking space in real time—across streets, garages, and open-air lots.
Guide drivers intelligently to available spaces with dynamic signage and app-based wayfinding.
Guide enforcement officers to increase compliance and reduce operational costs.
Optimize curb zones for delivery, ride-hail, EV charging, ADA, and more.
Leverage powerful analytics to maximize ROI, reduce congestion, and achieve sustainability goals.
This strategic acquisition marks a major milestone in ParkHelp’s 20-year history of innovation and positions the company as the go-to global provider for cities, airports, shopping malls, universities, and parking operators seeking a unified, intelligent parking and curbside management solution.
“Municipal parking and curb management remain among the most untapped opportunities in urban mobility,” said Andy Bess, Managing Director of TrueNorth Capital Partners, who advised Cleverciti on the transaction. “This combination creates a powerhouse uniquely positioned to shape the future of smart, connected cities.”
With a combined direct presence in six countries—The United States, Germany, Spain, Brazil, New Zealand, and Ecuador—and a global network of certified distributors, the group now supports over 600,000 monitored parking spaces across over 700 locations in 50 countries.
In addition to this strategic acquisition, ParkHelp announced that it is actively pursuing additional partnerships and acquisitions to further expand its technology offerings and global footprint.
“We’re just getting started,” said Poojitha Preena. “This deal represents a pivotal step in our growth strategy, but we’re already exploring additional opportunities to bring even more innovation to the mobility and smart city space. As we close out our second consecutive year of over 100% year-over-year growth, we continue to hear from clients that the ability to drive ROI and offer flexibility in business models to accommodate any budget is a key reason they are adopting our Hardware-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service offerings.”
The integration process is already underway and ParkHelp occupancy data is already available in the Cleverciti platform for existing mutual clients. ParkHelp and Cleverciti clients can expect uninterrupted service and support, with new integration options enhancing the value of existing deployments.
Cleverciti becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of ParkHelp and the entire Cleverciti team will remain in place following the acquisition, ensuring continuity for clients and partners. The combined company will continue to grow globally, investing in product innovation, AI development, and operational scalability. This continuity underscores the strong cultural, technical, and strategic alignment between the two organizations.
Cleverciti was advised by TrueNorth Capital Partners and DLA Piper. ParkHelp was advised by Lupp+Partner. Source: https://www.parkhelp.com/
Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) advises that the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) has granted global healthcare leader, Abbott consent under the Overseas Investment Act 2005 to acquire the company’s North Island assets.
Synlait announced the conditional sale last month. The North Island assets include the Pōkeno manufacturing facility, along with the company’s Auckland sites (assets held at the blending and canning facility on Richard Pearse Drive and the warehouse facility on Jerry Green Street), and associated inventory and leasehold arrangements. The sale price totals US$178 million (NZ$307 million), with targeted completion on 1 April 2026. The sale remains conditional on Synlait obtaining customary consents and shareholder approval. Synlait’s majority shareholder, Bright Dairy Holding Limited owns 65.25% of the company, and has confirmed that it has received Bright’s vote in favour of the transaction ahead of Synlait’s annual meeting on Friday 21 November 2025.
Source: https://www.nzx.com/
The acquisition brings automation and AI insights to help firms close books faster, cut workloads, and focus on higher-value client work.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sep. 30, 2025 — Karbon, the global leader in practice management software for accounting, bookkeeping, tax and audit firms, today announced its acquisition of Aider, a pioneer in AI-powered advisory and reporting technology. The acquisition accelerates Karbon’s vision to transform the accounting profession through AI.
Aider’s cutting-edge solution is already trusted by firms across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for automating time-consuming bookkeeping and advisory workflows like reconciliations and period close, while delivering real-time client insights and predictive reporting. By integrating Aider’s capabilities into Karbon, firms will gain powerful tools to eliminate repetitive work, expand advisory services, increase profitability, and automate period close.
“This is a defining moment for the future of accounting practice management,” said Mary Delaney, CEO of Karbon. “With Aider, we’re accelerating the shift from administration to automation—giving firms the ability to automate the mundane, scale without added overhead, and deliver richer advice to their clients.”
“Aider is incredibly proud to join Karbon,” said Brendan Roberts, CEO and Founder of Aider. “We share a bold vision for the future where accounting is proactive, data-driven, and deeply client-centric. Karbon is the ideal partner to scale that vision and deliver even more value to our customers.”
The acquisition will deepen the recently launched integration between the two platforms, with an AI-powered period close experience built directly into Karbon’s practice management platform. This brings firms closer to intelligent, automated operations where repeatable workflows don’t just get tracked, they get completed with confidence.
With Aider integrated into Karbon, firms will benefit from:
Automated period close with task coordination, follow-up and inline editing of uncategorized transactions with the most popular general ledgers
AI-generated management reports featuring real-time insights, KPIs, and executive commentary
An AI-powered advisory assistant for data analytics, client meeting preparation, and internal upskilling
Firm-wide dashboards that surface proactive advisory opportunities across the client base
AI agents that execute tasks and streamline workflows (coming soon)
“Our research shows that firms using AI at an advanced level are saving up to 40 hours per employee each month,” added Delaney. “With Aider, we’re helping firms reclaim even more time to reinvest in high-value client work alongside stronger work-life balance for their team members.”
The acquisition of Aider builds on Karbon’s recent innovations—including automated tax workflows, Karbon for Clients, and new partner integrations—and reinforces Karbon’s position as the backbone of AI-powered accounting firms.
About KarbonKarbon, a global leader in practice management software for accounting firms, provides an award-winning, collaborative cloud platform focused on streamlining work and communications. Karbon drives unprecedented value for its customers evidenced by its #1 ranking on G2 and customer-reported savings of 18.5 hours per week per employee. Founded in 2014, Karbon has customers in 45 countries with employees across the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. Karbon is well-funded and backed by Tidemark, Five Elms, and Blackbird.
About AiderAider is an AI-powered advisory platform designed for modern accounting and bookkeeping firms. Founded in New Zealand in 2018, Aider delivers intelligent software solutions that turn raw accounting data into actionable insights. Its technology automates key workflows such as period close and reporting, enabling firms to shift from manual processes to strategic advisory at scale.
Source: https://www.aider.ai/
AgriZeroNZ is investing a further USD $3.5 million (approx. NZD $5.9 million) in ArkeaBio, one of the leaders in the global race to develop a methane vaccine for livestock.
The Boston-based agricultural bioscience company is the first to have demonstrated methane reduction in cattle from a vaccine.
AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says its follow-on investment recognises ArkeaBio’s progress and the immense opportunity for New Zealand’s pasture-based farmers.
“A vaccine has the potential to reduce agricultural emissions at scale by providing a low cost, high-impact solution for a range of farming systems,” says McNee.
“As an export-reliant country, New Zealand farms need to stay ahead of the curve and step up to the challenge of meeting the global demand for climate action.
“We’re pleased to continue backing ArkeaBio as part of our efforts to provide Kiwi farmers with a toolkit of options to reduce emissions and retain access to high-value markets.”
Wayne McNee, AgriZeroNZ chief executive
Since AgriZeroNZ’s initial investment of USD $6M in 2024, ArkeaBio has made significant scientific progress.
The company’s been working with researchers at Texas A&M University, with trials showing ArkeaBio’s vaccine successfully reduces methane emissions from cattle. The vaccine works by stimulating a cow’s immune system to produce natural antibodies that neutralise methane-producing microbes in the rumen (a part of the stomach).
Newly-appointed CEO Frank Wooten says the team has advanced to a second-generation vaccine formulation, focusing on increasing commercial viability and animal productivity.
“With our vaccine advancing toward real-world deployment, we’re focused on delivering measurable emissions reductions, as well as tangible value to farmers and producers worldwide.”
Wooten says the company is aiming to produce a vaccine that’s effective for 6 months or more and is on track to achieve its target methane reduction of 20%.
The Series A1 funding round was co-led by AgriZeroNZ and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a US fund with US $3.5 billion in committed capital. ArkeaBio’s strong progress resulted in an increased company valuation, boosting AgriZeroNZ’s initial investment.
Wooten says the new funding will allow ArkeaBio to continue refining its vaccine and carry out further animal trials, including its first in New Zealand.
“We’re prioritising making our vaccine available to New Zealand farmers and are hoping to launch the first product in 2028,” he says.
During visits to New Zealand, ArkeaBio has met with ministers and a range of AgriZeroNZ’s investors, including the Ministry for Primary Industries, to discuss its path to market.
"New Zealand’s special combination of public-private collaboration, and track record of agricultural innovation make it an ideal place for us to launch,” says Wooten.
“Trialling our vaccine in New Zealand is an exciting next step to prove its effectiveness and safety in the pastoral farming conditions. We’re excited to have AgriZeroNZ’s support to bring this solution to farmers.”
Frank Wooten, ArkeaBio CEO
To date, AgriZeroNZ has invested in 14 companies and research initiatives to accelerate the development and commercialisation of tools, including Kiwi company Lucidome Bio which is also developing a methane vaccine.
“We’re backing a range of options – probiotics, inhibitors, vaccines and pastures – because we know farmers will want choices, and some early-stage ventures may not make it to the farm at all,” says Wayne McNee.
“This follow-on investment in ArkeaBio reflects AgriZeroNZ’s commitment to global collaboration and the development of practical solutions that help farmers reduce emissions and protect New Zealand’s competitive edge.”
Source: https://www.agrizero.nz/
DoorDash has joined the Air New Zealand Airpoints™ programme, and the pair are celebrating the collaboration with a world-first DoorDash delivery
This week, Air New Zealand and DoorDash turned the airline’s flagship New York–Auckland route into the stage for the ultimate Dash, delivering iconic Levain Bakery cookies from Manhattan’s Upper West Side all the way to Aotearoa.
The 14,000-kilometre global dash marks the start of the exciting partnership. From today DoorDash members can now earn one Airpoints Dollar™ for every $60 spent on DoorDash, from mid-week dinners to late-night dessert runs.
Air New Zealand General Manager Loyalty Alex Larsen says the world-first dash reflects the ambition of the partnership.
“We wanted to do something bold to launch this partnership, and a global dash from New York to New Zealand felt like the perfect way to show it. At Air New Zealand, we’ll always go the extra mile for our customers. By partnering with DoorDash, our Airpoints members can now turn everyday food deliveries into travel rewards, bringing them one step closer to their next adventure – whether that’s a quick trip to Wellington or a once-in-a-lifetime journey to New York.”
DoorDash New Zealand General Manager Bradley Thomas says the partnership reflects DoorDash’s focus on making everyday life easier and more rewarding. “It gives New Zealanders even greater value from the meals and essentials they already enjoy - with every eligible order from weekly essentials to weekend treats now earning Airpoints Dollars.”
Following the special celebratory delivery from New York to Auckland, Kiwi will have the chance to taste the world-famous Levain cookies this Thursday at Commercial Bay, Auckland. From 11am to 3pm, Airpoints members who show they’ve added their Airpoints number to their DoorDash account can pick up a Levain cookie as part of the celebration, while stocks last.
Air New Zealand and DoorDash have proven that when it comes to rewarding Kiwi, the sky is not the limit.
With more than 4.8 million members, Airpoints™ is one of New Zealand’s most valuable and widely used loyalty programmes. From groceries and fuel to investments and travel, members can now earn Airpoints Dollars™ in more parts of their everyday lives than ever before.
Editor’s note: This was a one-off delivery to celebrate the launch of the partnership. Levain cookies will only be available at the Commercial Bay giveaway event on Thursday 11am–3pm, strictly while stocks last.
You can view and download the global dash here
Source: www.airnz.co.nz
Move benefits students and creates a new global leader in creative tech education
Media Design School (MDS) has joined Strayer, a university based in the United States, becoming Media Design School at Strayer.
This exciting move follows regulatory approvals from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Strayer’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education* (MSCHE).
Established in New Zealand in 1998, MDS has grown from an early leader in developing web and eCommerce talent to a preeminent tech school with deep industry and employer relationships, dedicated to the creative sector including gaming, animation and visual effects.
Strayer, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has a legacy of delivering flexible, student-focused education that spans over 130 years.
With MDS as part of the Strayer family, we’re able to expand our portfolio in technology and creative arts, serve more learners globally and grow our alumni community,” said Dr. Toni Farmer-Thompson, President of Strayer. “Strayer and MDS share a strong commitment to innovation, preparing students for the future and providing new opportunities for students, alumni and faculty.”
As part of Strayer, MDS is tapping into new resources, international networks and future-focused tools that will help it strengthen its impact and potentially expand to new locations.
By joining Strayer, students will maintain the benefits of a globally recognised creative tech school in New Zealand while gaining access to new collaborations and educational pathways through the Strayer network,” said Steve Dorner, Executive Dean of Media Design School. “While MDS’s name has changed, the experience provided and recognition that MDS students represent the very best talent in the world, will remain the same.”
Going forward, Strayer’s leadership team will work closely with MDS faculty and staff to ensure a successful transition, and to create a much greater force in educating future leaders in technology, creative and design fields.
* MSCHE is recognised by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. Strayer does not meet all of the characteristics and roles of universities as defined in the Education and Training Act 2020. Media Design School at Strayer remains a New Zealand Private Training Establishment (PTE).
Source: https://www.mediadesignschool.com/
The Hēki Mission is an ambitious test of a superconducting magnet and power supply in space.
The Hēki Mission is a landmark demonstration of superconducting magnet technology in space, developed by Paihau—Robinson Research Institute in collaboration with domestic and international partners. Launched on 15 September 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of Northrop Grumman’s NG-23 resupply flight to the International Space Station (ISS), Hēki marks the first time a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet of this class has been tested in orbit.
Hēki is more than a technology payload—it is a key step towards realising Kōkako, a revolutionary electric plasma thruster that aims to transform satellite propulsion.
About Hēki
Hēki (meaning egg in te reo Māori) is a compact superconducting magnet system, roughly the size of a small doughnut, designed to validate the performance and resilience of critical components for next-generation electric propulsion. The name symbolises potential and emergence—appropriate for a mission that seeks to ‘hatch’ new knowledge in space.
The Hēki payload contains:
a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet, capable of generating strong magnetic fields comparable to those in MRI systems
a flux pump power supply, which energises the magnet using very low power, is crucial for spacecraft with limited energy budgets
custom-built control electronics
radiation sensors to assess how the magnet’s field interacts with the space environment.
The entire system has been engineered to withstand launch conditions, orbital temperatures, and electromagnetic compatibility with surrounding ISS systems. Once installed on the Japanese Experiment Module—Exposed Facility (JEM-EF), it will operate outside the ISS for approximately 15 weeks, gathering data for post-mission analysis.
The Kōkako thruster—a new era of satellite propulsion
The Kōkako thruster, named after the endemic New Zealand bird known for its striking blue wattles and rich song, is an advanced electric propulsion system under development at Paihau–Robinson Research Institute.
Unlike chemical rockets, electric thrusters use plasma—a high-energy state of matter—to generate continuous, efficient thrust. Kōkako takes this further by integrating superconducting technology, aiming to outperform conventional electric propulsion systems in multiple ways.
At the heart of the Kōkako thruster are two core components:
a plasma generator that creates and accelerates ionised particles
a superconducting magnet, which guides and further accelerates the plasma stream, enhancing efficiency and control.
Thanks to the zero-resistance properties of superconductors, the system can produce strong magnetic fields using minimal electrical power. This is especially beneficial in space, where every watt must be carefully allocated.
Why superconductivity matters in space
Superconductors are materials that, below a certain temperature, conduct electricity without resistance. For propulsion, this means:
more powerful magnetic fields without increased energy demands
compact, lightweight hardware, ideal for mass-sensitive space missions
extended operational lifetimes, since superconductors can maintain performance without significant degradation.
However, space presents harsh and unpredictable conditions. Before superconducting systems can be integrated into propulsion platforms, they must be proven to operate safely and reliably in orbit. That is the purpose of the Hēki mission.
Mission objectives
The Hēki mission is a technology validation flight. Its primary goals are to:
demonstrate the viability of using HTS magnets and flux pumps in space
validate thermal and electromagnetic performance in the orbital environment
test compatibility with the ISS’s power and control systems
evaluate the radiation shielding effects produced by the magnet's field
enable future testing and refinement of the Kōkako propulsion concept.
Hēki’s successful operation will provide the data needed to refine the design of the Kōkako thruster and to scale up these technologies for practical, commercial use.
Advantages of the Kōkako thruster
Once matured, the Kōkako system offers a number of technical and commercial advantages:
High efficiency—Capable of producing high thrust per unit of power, enabling faster transit and longer missions.
Fuel flexibility—Able to operate with various propellants, including options that are safer and more cost-effective to store and handle.
Scalability—Suitable for small satellite manoeuvring, space debris mitigation, and long-range missions — including to the Moon, Mars, or deep space.
Sustainability—Lower power requirements and extended lifetimes support more sustainable and cost-effective space operations.
Together, Hēki and Kōkako represent Aotearoa New Zealand’s contribution to the future of sustainable space travel.
A collaborative achievement
Hēki and Kōkako were conceived, designed, and built at Paihau–Robinson Research Institute in Lower Hutt. But this mission is the result of close collaboration with Voyager Technologies, IDS Consulting, Asteria Engineering, the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, and the Czech Technical University in Prague.
The names Hēki and Kōkako were gifted by Professor Rawinia Higgins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori), and the Hēki payload is protected by a cover featuring original artwork by Māori artist Reweti Arapere, symbolising the fusion of cultural identity and scientific exploration.
Next steps
Following the mission, Hēki will be returned to Earth for detailed inspection. The insights gained will inform the next stage of development for the Kōkako thruster, including future in-space testing and eventual commercial application.
As a small institute from Aotearoa New Zealand, we are proud to contribute to the global space sector—and to demonstrate the potential of superconductivity in orbit.
Source: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/robinson/research/space-research/applications/heki-mission
Windcave took out the Supreme award at last night’s 26th AmCham-DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards for companies doing business with the USA.
Founded in New Zealand in 1999, Windcave has consistently led the way in the innovation of payment technology. Today, the company’s footprint extends across over 40 countries and supported by a dedicated team of over 400 experts. Windcave specialises in various payment solutions - from in-store and unattended to online transactions. The Judges were particularly impressed by Windcave’s approach to innovation and delivery of quality solutions, and the ambition demonstrated through the growth of their business in the United States.
All winners received an airfare to anywhere in the USA on United Airlines, and the supreme winner also receives US$5,000 of advisory services from Sweeney Vesty, introductions to venture capitalists, economic development agencies in the USA as well as to other valuable connections. Over the last twenty-five years our sponsors have provided over $400,000 worth of prizes to our award winners.
Selina Deadman, Vice President, Commercial, DHL Express, who announced the Supreme Winner, said: “Windcave NZ has built a strong reputation as an innovator, with their commitment to continuous improvement driving their success. Their impressive expansion into the US market highlights the strength of their insights and strategy. DHL is proud to congratulate them on this well-deserved award."
The Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Trade & Investment spoke at the dinner about his recent US visit and the work the government is doing to maintain a strong relationship with the USA in spite of the recently introduced tariffs.
Other winners included specialists in servicing aircraft engines; a plant-based, non-synthetic dietary supplement designed for appetite and weight management; travel; investment in one of New Zealand’s leading crime prevention companies; and a charity (Kiwibots) that helps students to learn science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
The award winners: Exporter of the Year to the USA – Technology Windcave
Exporter of the Year to the USA – Services Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services t/a Christchurch Engine Centre
Exporter of the Year to the USA - Consumer Goods Calocurb Ltd Investor of the Year to or from the USA Axon Enterprise Inc for investment in Auror Bilateral Connections with the USA Rob Coneybeer for the Far Out Foundation
Contribution to Tourism with the USA Travel USA Ltd
Social Impact with the USA The NZ Robotics Charitable Trust Inc/Kiwibots
Supreme winner - Windcave.
The AmCham Supporter of the Year – ANZ Bank
In addition to AmCham, DHL Express, United Airlines, the awards are supported by: ANZ Bank, Auckland International Airport, Insprie Labs, Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property, Lockheed Martin New Zealand and SweeneyVesty. Media supporter - The Business. Wine sponsor - Constellation Brands Event Manager and sponsor - Event Revolution
Previous winners of the Supreme Award have included Peace Software; Airways Corporation; HumanWare; Tenon; Orion Health; Zeacom; SMI Group; Fonterra; Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services t/a Christchurch Engine Centre; Buckley Systems; Greenshell New Zealand; Vista Entertainment; Fisher & Paykel Healthcare; Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Zespri International; Tourism Holdings; Peter Beck, Seequent Ltd, Oritain Global, Auror Ltd and Toku Eyes.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford will head to the United States this week to lead a delegation of immigration and investment private sector participants to promote our Active Investor Plus visa, with events hosted by Invest NZ who have organised the delegation.
“Since our changes were implemented on 1 April, the Active investor Plus visa has generated significant new proposed investment in New Zealand of over $1 billion, with US investors submitting the most applications.
“Heading to the US will provide an opportunity to meet with potential investors who want to know more about what New Zealand has to offer.
“We’ve said that New Zealand is open for business, and investor migrants are clearly attracted to our growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy.
“Attracting investment to New Zealand is crucial to boosting economic growth. It will also support our businesses to expand, hire and grow – and that means more opportunities for New Zealanders.
“It’s fantastic to see this response so far. We welcome investors’ capital, knowledge, contribution to New Zealand’s economic growth, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with them.”
The delegation will travel to meet potential investors in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco at events hosted by Invest NZ.
Minister Stanford will travel to the United States on 15 September and return on 21 September.
Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
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