Quick ITP update and upcoming events
This week we kick off 6 months of celebration and recognition of 60 years of tech innovation in New Zealand - a huge milestone!
Why 6 months of celebration? Many don't realise this, but ITP hasn't just been around since the start of computing in New Zealand - we were actually formed 6 months before the first computer was installed on our shores. And given ITx 2020 was pushed back due to Covid, we've pushed back our celebration until now as well.
We have lots of events, activities and more planned over the next 6 months, culminating in ITx 2021 where we'll host a huge celebration of 60 years of tech innovation and a look forward to the future of our profession.
In other news, we have an excellent live webinar happening tomorrow, plus check out our new Corporate Partners and discount offers for ITP members below.
60 Years of Tech Innovation
Amongst all of the challenges of 2020 there's a really important milestone that we shouldn't lose sight of - 2020 marks the 60th year of tech innovation in New Zealand.
Whether we called it Data Processing, Computing, Information Technology, ICT, Digital, Tech, Digital Tech or whatever, this year is a real milestone for our profession. Digital tech has changed the world we live in in almost every way imaginable and in a relatively short period of time - a massive technology revolution.
It's no coincidence that 2020 also marks the 60th anniversary of ITP. While our organisation has gone through huge change over the last 60 years, in line with the profession we represent, we've been a core part of our profession in New Zealand since the start.
Originally formed as the "NZ Data Processing and Computer Society" in 1960, ITP's name was shortened in 1967 to just "NZ Computer Society". It held this name for many years until June 2012, when it changed to "Institute of IT Professionals NZ", later shortened to "IT Professionals NZ" as a working name.
ITP has a rich history and as with now, much of the work undertaken is the hard graft that doesn't always get the highest profile - but makes a real difference to New Zealand and NZers. Like the work that led to NZ's original Privacy Act. And the fact that over the last 60 years, ITP has been at the forefront of driving digital tech education in schools and the NZ Curriculum - changing the education that every child in New Zealand now receives.
For those interested in the history of ITP, as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations the early history was updated with input from many of the organisation's Fellows and senior members. You can read it on TechBlog (posted during the 50th anniversary):
As part of the celebration we'll be updating the history by including a summary of the last 10 years, plus updating Return to Tomorrow, the book outlining the first 50 years of computing history in New Zealand to also include the last decade. A massive thanks to historian and editor Janet Toland who has agreed to take this on again!
We'll also be making this and other material more accessible and freely available online.
ITx 2020 was originally going to be the focal point of celebrations of 60 years of tech-led innovation however with it moving to 2021 due to Covid, we made the decision to move the full celebration back 6 months too - leading into ITx 2021 in May. This is a big milestone and deserves a proper celebration.
We hope you'll take part in the various events happening around the country over the next 6 months to celebrate 60 years of tech innovation, head along to ITx 2021 of course, plus take part in the other various activities planned.
ITP is a stronger community than ever, with thousands of members across New Zealand and the world. Join us as we celebrate the last 60 years and look forward to what the future holds for our profession, and New Zealand.
Upcoming ITP Live Webinar:
Down-to-Earth Leadership Skills for Tech Geniuses
Coming up tomorrow, ITP's Auckland Branch are hosting leadership guru Mark Greaney for a live webinar on down-to-earth leadership skills for tech geniuses. And non-geniuses too :).
He'll be talking about an age-old problem in our industry - people either being promoted to leadership roles, or taking leadership roles when founding tech companies, based on the fact that they're great at a technical role. However that often doesn't translate to great leadership skills.
The good news is, there are lots of practical, down-to-Earth tools you can use and Mark will be running through them then taking your questions. Should be an excellent session!
Big welcome to new ITP Corporate Partners
A massive welcome to the following new Corporate and Educational partners! These organisations support your profession, so you should support them too.
Laurenson Technology
Laurenson Technology, founded in 2007 and located in the sunny far north of New Zealand, provide technical IT Support services as well as retail sales of Computer Electronics, including desktops, laptops and mobile phones. They are also a Brother Authorised Technical Service provider for Northland.
ITstuff[ed]
ITstuff[ed] is an IT company based in sunny New Brighton, Christchurch. They specialise in providing IT solutions and managed services to small and medium sized businesses and non-profit organisations across New Zealand. ITstuff[ed] also services residential computer niggles in Christchurch and surrounding areas.
Developers Institute
The Developers Institute is software development education delivered by real developers. They're building Northland's digital future, right here in their own backyard. Their flagship program in Web Development builds the foundations in software programming to give you the confidence to pursue a career in tech.
Exclusive ITP member offers
We're really excited to have a bunch of new deals and offers available for ITP members, thanks to some of our awesome Corporate Partners. Check them out on the ITP Member Offers page.
This includes huge offers on tech-related courses from Yoobee, NZSE and ITP, plus excellent offers from GoWirelessNZ, EscrowNZ, The IT Psychiatrist, insurance offerings, events and conferences and more.
Check out all of the ITP Member Offers
Offer of the week:
ITP members exclusively receive 15% off all products from GoWirelessNZ, and may also be eligible for trade pricing if you sell, install and support IT communications.
If you're an ITP member, check them out here
Wanted: 123Tech Regional Judges
We're now heading towards the business end of the Tahi Rua Toru Tech in-school challenge, and are now on the lookout for some awesome judges!
Are you keen to give a little back to your industry and help with New Zealand's premium in-school challenge for digital technologies?
The Regional Judging can be done in your own time online. Teams entering have created a video and other material and you'll review this against specific judging criteria to pick the finalists.
The national finalists will then participate in a live presentation and interview with a judging panel - more on this one later.
We're looking for positive judges who are happy to spend some time looking through entries, objectively (and somewhat subjectively) applying the judging criteria and guidance, putting together supportive comments for all teams, and helping make 123Tech a huge success!
Interested? Drop us a note at [email protected] to sign up or find out more.
123Tech National Finals
We're really excited about the Tahi Rua Toru Tech National Finals this year!
As most will know, Tahi Rua Toru Tech (123Tech) is NZ's in-school project-based digital tech challenge, with teams of students across New Zealand using digital tech to tackle a problem in their local school or community.
The challenge is co-funded by industry and Government, and many thousands of students have taken part over the last three years to help usher in the Digital Technologies curriculum.
Given Covid and its impact on travel and other activities, we've opted for a livestreamed broadcast event rather than the face-to-face finals event this year. While on one hand it'll be sad not to welcome all the finalists to Wellington, it gives us the opportunity to put together an amazing showcase of both school student work, and our industry.
The finals event will be in the afternoon of 10th December, so keep this free from 2pm. As well as announcing and celebrating the national winners live, the event will feature virtual tours and interviews with some of the most innovative tech companies in New Zealand and quite a few surprises!
Previous Thursday Live Webinar:
How Technology enabled the Health Response
From the Covid app to data management, prediction engines, contract tracing and much more, tech has played a major role in the health response to Covid-19.
Join the NZ Ministry of Health's Digital and Data head Shayne Hunter as he outlines the role Tech has played to date in the health response including lessons learnt and opportunities for the future. He'll also provide some insight into the "war room" efforts that led to New Zealand's world-leading response.
As always, there was plenty of time for Q&A, with ITP CEO Paul Matthews putting audience questions to Shayne.
The session also kicked off with our Tech Media Panel.
ITP members can watch it free here
Previous webinars - all available free to members
All past webinars are available on the ITP Video Library for members:
- How technology enabled the health response
- How Covid is impacting the Gaming Industry
- Creating a plan for Digital Skills
- Cybersecurity and the recent attacks
- Tech legal update - what you need to know
- An afternoon with Nanogirl
- Taking kiwi tech to the post-Covid world
- Tech startups in a post-Covid world
- The IRD Transformation
- Digital Government and Covid-19
- Tech and the Covid-19 recovery
- Privacy in the days of Covid-19
- Leading Wellness in uncertain times
- Meet the ITP Workshop Presenters
- The data behind Covid19
- Innovation in tough times: Don't Hunker in the Bunker
- Covid19: Tech and the Law
- Cybersecurity from home
- Clarke Ching on disaster innovation
- CITPNZ and CTech: The What, How and Why
- Working Remotely - How to get through
Check out the webinar section here
Save the Date - ITx 2020/2021
After postponing ITx this year due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, we are beyond excited to announce the dates for ITx 2021 - 3-5 May 2021 at TSB Arena in Wellington.
ITx is a collaborative conference, with around 12 tech organisations working together to make it happen. We work with the other organisations to bring all of these communities together.
As always the conference focuses on bringing tech professionals, decision-makers, leaders and academics together under one roof - it really is where industry and education come together to learn, engage and network. We will also be celebrating 60 years of IT Professionals NZ!
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