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NZ tech stars lead world first blockchain launch

New Zealand tech stars are leading a global team in launching the world’s first ever blockchain platform for the multi-billion-dollar global online ratings and review industry. 
 
Kiwi tech business experts including 2017 New Zealand chief executive of the year award winner Leigh Flounders and NZTech and FintechNZ chair Mitchell Pham are at the forefront of the launch of Lina.review which is ground-breaking and disrupting the online review world.
 
The blockchain platform was soft-launched only days ago in Bangkok to an audience of more than a thousand investors from around Asia, Europe and the US, a week before the scheduled ICO (Token Generation Event) takes place in Geneva next Monday (January 15).
 
Pham says that to do something on a global scale, Kiwis have to get out there and join global teams, work with a diverse range of people from around the world. We are too small to do global things on our own.
 
“We can even lead these international teams in some instances. We saw a great idea being developed internationally that will change an entire global industry and demonstrate how blockchain can solve real world problems. So, being can-do Kiwis, we joined them in taking it to the world.
 
“New Zealand has a relatively immature online review industry with little ​recent innovation. Except for TradeMe, consumer.co.nz and Canstar, there is little in the way of a central, reliable, easily accessible New Zealand ledger for ratings and reviews.” 
 
Pham says Lina is not just a website but is a blockchain-based platform that everyone can build their own review system to develop community and manage their own businesses. All Lina-based review channels are globally connected, he says.
 
“With Lina.review being a truly global product, Kiwis can interact with Lina for international product and service websites and domestically. Being part of a global review platform will also make it easier for Kiwi businesses to market their products globally.
 
“Lina can also be integrated into existing platforms such as ecommerce and bookings platforms through the upcoming Lina API.
 
“Kiwis can now get value from trustworthy, transparent reviews, whilst being able to monetise their involvement with the Lina platform by providing quality content and engagement,” Pham says. 
 
Blockchain, a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography or coding, is a relatively new technology that is being used to solve problems in an increasing number of industries.
 
Pham says Lina is the first and only fully functioning blockchain platform for a multi-billion-dollar industry through understanding some of the fundamental weaknesses of the existing industry and how blockchain technology can fix these issues.
 
Other Kiwis involved with Lina.review in prominent roles include successful serial tech entrepreneur Greg Kushnir, world-class blockchain and cryptocurrency expert advisors Mark Pascall and Paul Salisbury.
 
“This is a great example of NZ tech entrepreneurship, expertise and leadership being applied on the world stage, to change an entire global industry. Consumers love using online reviews pre-purchase, yet over half of online consumers say they don’t trust online reviews or ratings.
 
“So, what happens when a consumer reads a review about a product or service and they don’t trust the content? They either stall their purchase, or worse: do not buy at all.
 
“Lina is the first and only blockchain platform built specifically for the multi-billion-dollar online ratings and reviews market. It has been built to restore trust again into this industry and provide tangible value for all participants in the review and ratings ecosphere.”New Zealand tech stars are leading a global team in launching the world’s first ever blockchain platform for the multi-billion-dollar global online ratings and review industry. 
 
Kiwi tech business experts including 2017 New Zealand chief executive of the year award winner Leigh Flounders and NZTech and FintechNZ chair Mitchell Pham are at the forefront of the launch of Lina.review which is ground-breaking and disrupting the online review world.
 
The blockchain platform was soft-launched only days ago in Bangkok to an audience of more than a thousand investors from around Asia, Europe and the US, a week before the scheduled ICO (Token Generation Event) takes place in Geneva next Monday (January 15).
 
Pham says that to do something on a global scale, Kiwis have to get out there and join global teams, work with a diverse range of people from around the world. We are too small to do global things on our own.
 
“We can even lead these international teams in some instances. We saw a great idea being developed internationally that will change an entire global industry and demonstrate how blockchain can solve real world problems. So, being can-do Kiwis, we joined them in taking it to the world.
 
“New Zealand has a relatively immature online review industry with little ​recent innovation. Except for TradeMe, consumer.co.nz and Canstar, there is little in the way of a central, reliable, easily accessible New Zealand ledger for ratings and reviews.” 
 
Pham says Lina is not just a website but is a blockchain-based platform that everyone can build their own review system to develop community and manage their own businesses. All Lina-based review channels are globally connected, he says.
 
“With Lina.review being a truly global product, Kiwis can interact with Lina for international product and service websites and domestically. Being part of a global review platform will also make it easier for Kiwi businesses to market their products globally.
 
“Lina can also be integrated into existing platforms such as ecommerce and bookings platforms through the upcoming Lina API.
 
“Kiwis can now get value from trustworthy, transparent reviews, whilst being able to monetise their involvement with the Lina platform by providing quality content and engagement,” Pham says. 
 
Blockchain, a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography or coding, is a relatively new technology that is being used to solve problems in an increasing number of industries.
 
Pham says Lina is the first and only fully functioning blockchain platform for a multi-billion-dollar industry through understanding some of the fundamental weaknesses of the existing industry and how blockchain technology can fix these issues.
 
Other Kiwis involved with Lina.review in prominent roles include successful serial tech entrepreneur Greg Kushnir, world-class blockchain and cryptocurrency expert advisors Mark Pascall and Paul Salisbury.
 
“This is a great example of NZ tech entrepreneurship, expertise and leadership being applied on the world stage, to change an entire global industry. Consumers love using online reviews pre-purchase, yet over half of online consumers say they don’t trust online reviews or ratings.
 
“So, what happens when a consumer reads a review about a product or service and they don’t trust the content? They either stall their purchase, or worse: do not buy at all.
 
“Lina is the first and only blockchain platform built specifically for the multi-billion-dollar online ratings and reviews market. It has been built to restore trust again into this industry and provide tangible value for all participants in the review and ratings ecosphere.”

Producing the goods

New Zealand’s level of manufacturing activity during November returned to September’s expansion result, according to the BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for November was 57.7 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining). This was 0.4 points up from the previous month, and returned the sector back to September’s result. It also continues the relatively tight band of expansion seen over the last four months. Overall, the sector has remained in expansion in all months since October 2012.

Catherine Beard
Executive Director
ManufacturingNZ

BusinessNZ’s executive director for manufacturing Catherine Beard said that the sector is heading towards a stronger second half of the year.

“The sub index value for production (62.1) was at its highest level of expansion since July 2013, while finished stocks (57.5) was the highest recorded since the survey began, just pipping the 57.4 recorded in September 2014. Also, the proportion of positive comments in November (65.1%) increased slightly from October (64.2%).

BNZ Senior Economist, Doug Steel, said that “recent surveys have seen business confidence falter during and after the government formation process. In contrast, the PMI, which is a survey of business outcomes rather than sentiment has remained rock solid over recent months”.

Spark New Zealand appoints Pip Greenwood as Director to the Board

The Spark New Zealand Board announced today it has appointed Pip Greenwood as an independent non-executive director to the Board, to replace Mark Verbiest who retired in November 2017. Ms Greenwood’s appointment will take effect from 1 April 2018.

Ms Greenwood is a senior partner at law firm Russell McVeagh, who has over ten years’ experience on the Russell McVeagh board, including a period as the firm’s Chair. Ms Greenwood has significant experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications, and governance.
Spark New Zealand Chair Justine Smyth said “We are delighted to have a person of Pip’s calibre join our team. Following the retirement of Mark Verbiest, we were looking for relevant skills and experience that would complement the diverse perspectives we already have around the table. Pip is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s top commercial lawyers. She has significant industry experience and played a critical role as a lead advisor on the demerger of Chorus from Telecom.”

Ms Greenwood says: “I am honoured and excited to take on this role. I am passionate about the transformation that is occurring within the telecommunications and digital sectors and I am pleased to be given the opportunity to contribute to the Spark Board, having advised clients in this space over the last 10 years from both a commercial and regulatory perspective.”

In accordance with the Company’s constitution, Ms Greenwood will retire and offer herself for election at the annual meeting of shareholders held later in 2018.

Once Ms Greenwood’s appointment becomes effective, the Spark New Zealand Board will once again consist of eight directors: Justine Smyth, Alison Barrass, Paul Berriman, Alison Gerry, Ido Leffler, Charles Sitch, Pip Greenwood and Simon Moutter.
 

TeamTalk to ensure continuity of resilient communications by partnering with Tait Communications

TeamTalk Limited (NZX: TTK), the publicly listed telecommunications services provider, who are the largest provider of commercial mobile radio communications services and solutions throughout New Zealand, today announced that it has selected Christchurch-headquartered Tait Communications to supply and build its new nationwide Tier III Digital Mobile Radio network.

TeamTalk’s chief executive Andrew Miller said, “Changes within the Health and Safety legislation along with the findings from the reviews following the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes mean many organisations are now considering diversity across their communications portfolio and mobile radio is critical in providing this service.”

This investment will enable TeamTalk to continue to deliver mission critical communications to its customers, as well as offering new services and solutions that will enable TeamTalk to grow its revenues by reaching into the conventional radio market. This is a market that TeamTalk has traditionally not competed in but the new digital platform will open up new opportunities including the capability to interconnect different networks.

Andrew Miller said, “Whilst a new digital network is exciting, it is the roadmap of further integrated services that will be released over the next few years that really excites us about this investment. Our partnership with Tait Communications and other integrators will allow us to be at the forefront of new developments and enable New Zealand to gain access to these leading technologies and solutions quickly.

“Tait were selected following a robust RFP process including trials and interoperability testing as well as evaluation of different migration strategies.

“The selection of Tait reinvigorates a long partnership going back decades and as company founder Sir Angus Tait said in 2002, TeamTalk are at the forefront of mobile radio and have the largest Tait network in the world. I am proud to be associated with this innovative company delivering leading edge solutions to customers.”

Trevor Laughton, General Manager of Tait New Zealand said, “Tait Communications is extremely happy to again be working with TeamTalk and that New Zealand’s business community will now have an opportunity to realise the potential of a nationwide modern digital mobile radio network for voice and data. Tait is committed to the success of this investment and the agreement reflects that commitment.”

Spark fast-tracking build of long-range IoT network to meet strong customer demand

park is building a long-range network to enable the Internet of Things in New Zealand’s most populated urban centres, switching on sites in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland in time for the new year. Spark has been testing the technology with partners from a range of industries, from agriculture through to marine, and is seeing strong demand for the network as a result. Resource monitoring company Levno are working with Spark to have coverage extended into rural areas as well.

The days of the Internet of Things (IoT) being little more than a futuristic buzz word will soon be over for New Zealand’s top 20 urban centres.* Spark has begun building a long-range (LoRa) IoT network to cover around 70% of the population by the middle of the 2018 calendar year. Sites in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland are being switched on in the lead up to Christmas. A further sixteen cities will be connected early in 2018.*

The network will allow businesses and local councils to connect to “things”, like waterways, traffic lights, and machinery. Sensors in these real-world objects will send information over the LoRa network, providing real-time insight into the infrastructure New Zealand cities run on. In turn, it will help local councils and asset-heavy organisations run better, with lower costs.

Spark’s GM IoT Solutions, Michael Stribling says:

“The ways we’ll be able to use this new network are huge – it will change how our cities and businesses operate. We can put sensors on vehicles and equipment so we know where they are and how they’re being used. Sensors will be able to tell our councils when to carry out maintenance. There are so many examples of how it will help us manage assets better.”

In addition to the country’s urban centres, Spark plans to extend the network to rural parts of the Waikato, Manawatu and Canterbury in the 2018 calendar year. To deliver this, Spark is working with Levno, who plan to use the network to provide fuel tank, grain silo and milk vat monitoring services to farmers. This will enable farmers to react quickly to issues and increase the efficiency of their operations.


Spark’s national LoRa network is being built by specialist network provider, and IoT rollout experts, Kordia. It will suit low-power, low-data uses, complementing the high-power LTE network (LTE Cat-M1 or ‘M1’) that Spark began trials on this month. By 2020 Spark’s IoT networks will cover around 80% of New Zealand’s population.

LoRa already tried and tested in New Zealand

Spark has been trialling LoRa network technology for the past year, and now has over 30 operational sites across Auckland, Waikato, Christchurch and Wellington. A number of partners have been involved in testing use-cases for the technology.

An example is BoatSecure, a boat monitoring system developed by IoT Ventures and business owner John McDermott. Sensors on a boat continuously check the boat’s battery, bilge pump, location, and shore power supply. This information travels over Spark’s LoRa network to an app on the boat owner’s phone. 

Cameron Harris of Beacon Marine Electronics has been using the system since August 2017. “There was an instance when a storm hit, and I was able to see that a boat connected with BoatSecure had lost shore power during the night, hours before I would normally find out,” says Harris.

Farmers from the Matamata-Piako region and South Island have also been trialling the network for the past year as part of the Connecting Farms project. Data sent from sensors across the farm has helped inform important decisions for farmers, such as when to irrigate, spray or harvest.

Spark’s broader IoT plans

Spark has committed to two new network technologies (LoRa and M1). This month it began trialling M1 ahead of a launch planned for early next year.

Spark is also monitoring the global progress of a second LTE IoT network type, Narrow Band (NB-IoT). Like M1, it will run over Spark’s licensed spectrum and extensive wireless network. Spark will invest in a Narrow Band network when the use cases and ecosystem become more mature.

Spark has also partnered with leading global platform providers to enable New Zealand companies to seamlessly connect to its networks.

“There will be so many different uses of IoT, so we’re seeking to provide the broadest set of IoT options to customers,” says Stribling.

“To do this, we’re making sure New Zealand has access to a range of world class networks and management platforms. We’re also continuing to take advantage of the data analytics power of Qrious, to help make sense of all the information coming our way as our environment begins talking to us.”

Auckland Chamber of Commerce Supports Youth Business in New Partnership

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Young Enterprise are excited to announce their new delivery partnership for The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) in the region. The YES business programme enables high school students to set up and run their own ventures.

“As long serving supporters of Young Enterprise we’re delighted to be working with the limitless thinkers that are YES students. We’ve seen their achievements over the years and are incredibly thrilled to recognise and support these young entrepreneurs as the business leaders of the future” said Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

For the past six years Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development agency (ATEED) has connected with around 5000 students, mentoring them from the outset and sharing in their journey of coming up with an innovative idea and developing it further into a successful business.

“We have enjoyed our close working relationship with Young Enterprise, schools, students and sponsors delivering YES in Auckland. We now look forward to taking a more strategic role in helping to deliver the programme,” ATEED chief executive Nick Hill says.

“Programmes like YES are crucial to encourage and support youth entrepreneurship. Young people are our future workforce and play a pivotal role in transforming and growing Auckland’s economy”.

Young Enterprise CEO Terry Shubkin, commented on the charity’s new partnership: “the number of Auckland students participating in YES has been growing year on year. As New Zealand’s largest business organisation we know the Chamber will be able to offer endless value and support to the schools we work with. We’re really looking forward to seeing what further impact we can make on youth entrepreneurship in the region”.