New Zealand (NZ) stories

MongoDB expands its AI-focused startup programme and bakes Voyage AI models into Atlas to unify retrieval and operational data in one stack.

Outdoor Outlook launches in New Zealand, giving trampers and other outdoor lovers personalised, colour-coded weather-based activity tips.

Westcon-Comstor launches a New Zealand data centre Centre of Excellence, led by Rob Purdy, to drive multi-vendor, solutions-first channel sales.

Xero launches AI analytics across its platform, giving small firms dashboards, forecasts and scorecards once reserved for larger rivals.

AI document tools slash manual workloads at Wellington City Council and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, boosting compliance and payment speed.

Kordia launches Secure Edge SASE, unifying networking and security to curb tool sprawl and support hybrid work with Fortinet-backed controls.

Microsoft and the ACTU have struck a first-of-its-kind AI pact to boost worker skills, protect union roles and shape fairer tech policy.

Microlise has appointed Dean Garvey-North as chief technology officer to steer its next growth phase in fleet and logistics technology.

Partners Life has appointed experienced insurance leader Debbie Eyre as chief operating officer, with her role to begin in February 2026.

Revolut launches RevPoints in New Zealand, offering uncapped rewards on everyday spending redeemable for travel, airline miles and gift cards.

Samsung will bring a TV-optimised Fender Play app to 2025 and newer TVs in 49 countries, launching globally in the first half of 2026.

NZ adds more jobs but works fewer hours as high-paid tech roles, casual shifts and young workers’ pay all slide, new data shows.

Progress predicts 2026 will mark a shift from AI pilots to orchestrated, governed platforms, widening the gap between leaders and laggards.

New Zealand urged to enact AI safety laws as deepfake sexual images surge, amid warnings it can no longer rely on tech firms’ goodwill.

US firm Bourns launches NZD $356m bid for loss‑making Rakon, offering NZD $1.55 a share and locking up 41% of the chip maker’s stock.

Vertex Group names Puneeta Rajwant to steer India expansion, InfraTech launch and drive its Vertex 2.0 agenda towards INR ₹1,000 crore.

Belkin reveals Qi2 chargers, power banks and a rugged Switch 2 charging case for ANZ, with key products set to land from March 2026.

Journey Beyond deploys RingCentral-powered cloud stack and in-house AI chat to run South Australia’s new Monarto Safari Resort in four months.

PebblePad acquires student portal myday in its first NorthEdge-backed deal, creating an edtech group serving over 200 institutions globally.

Violent retail crime in New Zealand has fallen in 2025, with tech-driven reporting credited as Australia records rising store aggression.