10 December 2007

New Zealand tech industry fast growing: Deloitte

New Zealand tech firms are rating among the fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific region and they need talented staff with New Zealand visas to maintain that growth, according to the latest Deloitte Technology rankings.

Two New Zealand companies are within the top 20 fastest growing in the region and 38 are within the top 500 in the Deloitte study. Energy efficient light bulb company Energy Mad recorded a huge 2,726 rate of growth. Communications and networking company Ezi-Pay grew 2,691 per cent.

Deloitte also surveyed chief executives in the industry and found that recruiting and retaining skilled employees is getting harder. The skills shortage is the biggest concern for 31 per cent of executives.

Despite this problem the future looks bright for the industry. Ezi-Pay chief executive Dave Spicer told IT business news website m-net: "A business receiving such a great result from operations solely in New Zealand shows the potential of the virtual sales channel we are developing. Next year we will be launching more great new services, never mind watching this space, I say watch out!"

New Zealand needs skilled workers: anyone interested in New Zealand immigration should complete the New Zealand Visa Bureau's online New Zealand visa assessment to see if they qualify for a New Zealand visa.