This running of Innovation Awards has undoubtedly captured the most challenging yet transformative period of the Kiwi channel.

To display of such inspiring examples of innovation balanced with stoic levels of resilience is testament to the strength of the ecosystem in New Zealand. We are proud to provide a platform upon which market-leading partners, vendors, distributors and individuals can be recognised -- kudos to such a thriving channel community.

Celebrated during a black-tie event at Shed 10 that brought together more than 600 members of the Kiwi channel community, this running of Innovation Awards celebrated the accomplishments of more than 30 winners and one new inductee into the Reseller News Hall of Fame -- Richard Morgan.

Despite the event being rescheduled from October 2021 to May 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions, winners were selected and honoured from 190 finalists (including 46 individuals) which made the shortlist across partner, start-up, telco, vendor and distributor businesses.

Reflective of a diverse technology network, finalists ranged from large-scale multinational consultancy firms to emerging start-ups, alongside leading system integrators, managed service providers and solution consultants, plus cloud specialists, independent software vendors, boutique agencies and application developers. This was in addition to channel-centric vendors, telecommunications providers and supply chain experts.

Within this standout group, finalists were located across the entire country -- from North Island to South Island -- including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and Palmerston North.

Aligned to the Reseller News approach of representing established and emerging technology providers in equal measure, the Innovation Awards program in 2021 stood tall as the leading forum for setting the industry benchmark for ecosystem excellence across New Zealand.

Congratulations.

JAMES HENDERSON
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR - RESELLER NEWS