Chris KeallTechnology Editor/Senior Business Writer·NZ Herald·22 May, 2026 11:00 AM5 mins to read‌Hectre co-founder and chief executive Matty Blomfield (centre) with customers in Washington state.Tait Communications and AI agritech start-up Hectre were among the big winners at the Hi-Tech Awards 2026.The gala dinner event was held at Auckland’s Spark Arena with a record 1300 attendees from the industry.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Penny Simmonds,