ITP Techblog

Here are all the winners from the 2021 NZ Excellence in IT Awards. There were a huge number of entries across all categories and some truly amazing entries and finalists.

The winners were awarded at a gala dinner last Friday. The dinner event was amazing and authentic. No black ties and a BBQ theme, and some of the most amazing people in tech today.

A massive salute to all entries and finalists and especially the winners - chosen by a panel of 15 independent judges.

 

New Zealand IT Professional of the Year

A massive congrats to Kylie Reiri, the 2021 New Zealand IT Professional of the Year.

Kylie Reiri
Kylie Reiri has shown huge leadership in New Zealand, melding te ao Māori and western approaches in the field of data analytics. Kylie demonstrates that when you bring together culture, values and technology it enables people to bring their whole self and energy to the work they do.

 

Young IT Professional of the Year

An amazing woman, Eteroa Lafaele's acceptance speech personified the EXes - passion, fire, energy and accomplishment! Nice one.

Eteroa Lafaele
Eteroa puts in a huge amount of work supporting Māori, Pasifika and women in IT through mentoring, specialist software development and working with government agencies.

 

Excellence in Software

Gillian Robinson from HCSL receiving the award

Healthcare Compliance Solutions Ltd (HCSL) Aged Care Software team
This software has made a major contribution to the efficiency of many clients in the Aged Residential Care sector. The software has disrupted and changed how health care records are updated and accessed in its target sector and during the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Project Excellence Award

The awesome team at Igtimia help run the massive America's Cup - with software and hardware developed from their base in Dunedin:

The 36th Americas Cup Race Management Development Team 
The project involved the creation of the Race Management System (RMS) for American's Cup 36, consisting of suite of complex hardware and software solutions. It had to be right, and it had to be on time or the race couldn't run. A well-executed complex Project run from Dunedin.

 

Excellence in Digital Health

Absolutely worthy recognition to the team from the Data and Digital Directorate from the Ministry of Health.

Data and Digital Directorate, Ministry of Health
Covid-19 placed massive pressure on the NZ Ministry of Health, and it was the role of the Data and Digital Directorate to respond to a new set of unique challenges with an unprecedented level of urgency. The MOH staff and partners delivered a host of new solutions to manage NZ's COVID-19 response.

  

Gerard MacManus Award for
Excellence in IT Education

Rosalie Reiri's efforts over many years leading education for Māori students was absolutely worthy of top recognition. This award was recently named after Gerard MacManus, another star and leader in the education sector who sadly passed away last year.

Rosalie Reiri
Rosalie's passion to drive an understanding of Te Ao Māori across a number of people and organisations in the technology education sector should be commended. This work is critical in the education sector to help redress the imbalance that exists with the IT sector currently.

 

Excellence in Inclusion

Patrick Dowling's efforts at broadening inclusion at Techtorium were recognised by the judges.

Patrick Dowling
Patrick has led some significant improvements to inclusion at Techtorium, backed up by impressive data showing the lift in Māori and Pasifika inclusion in training. Their commitment to diversity will make a big difference to the future of our industry.

 

Excellence in People Leadership

Kylie Reiri's seriously impressive approach to leadership also won her the inaugural Excellence in People Leadership award.

Kylie Reiri
Kylie Reiri, CEO of Nicholson Consulting, brought together te ao Māori and western approaches to create an environment where everyone can express and develop their ideas. An impressive leadership story blending bold leadership and a clear focus and care for their people.

 

Excellence in Govtech

The Data and Digital team from the Ministry of Health completed their clean sweep of their two awards - well deserved!

Data and Digital Directorate, Ministry of Health
The data and digital directorate were faced with an unexpected and extraordinary situation in 2020 and a need to respond quickly to support the Government's Covid-19 response. The sheer number of releases achieved in a short time frame and high-pressure context is impressive.

 

Excellence in Tech Communications

One of the biggest stars in Technical Communication, Emma Harding, was recognised in 2021.

Emma Harding
In 1999, Emma and her husband Ian founded Streamliners as a technical communication company. The company has grown and evolved, and now employs over 100 people who help develop guidance for practitioners in health and education impacting over 30 million people in NZ, Australia, and the UK.

 

A massive, massive congratulations!! to all of our winners, and a big thanks to our team of 15 judges for completing a massively difficult task.

 

And a big thanks to our Awards Partner, Assurity!