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'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

theguardian.com

11–20 of 124 posts

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#12

They have a really odd way to attract tech talent.... I exited my startup in the uk two years ago, successfully, leaving a successful and growing technology business behind. I have several ideas which I am prepared to self-fund up to £0.5M, and want a good environment in which to start a new business. I know coders in NZ, and they’re a talented bunch, we began to hatch a plan. In short, the NZ gov’t don’t want it. Th…

Not to advocate NZ, but you should consider any immigration plan is fraud averse first.

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#14

They have a really odd way to attract tech talent.... I exited my startup in the uk two years ago, successfully, leaving a successful and growing technology business behind. I have several ideas which I am prepared to self-fund up to £0.5M, and want a good environment in which to start a new business. I know coders in NZ, and they’re a talented bunch, we began to hatch a plan. In short, the NZ gov’t don’t want it. Th…

Maybe the property is the route to go - can it be commercial?

Remote hires not an option?

Tech startups seem to be hard to get people to take seriously, however solid the foundation. I've done a lot of consultancy for a UK company whose entire strategy has stalled for years because they can't/won't invest in building out a rewrite of their flagship product.

I've offered to build it out for zero up front cost, just cut me in on a slice of the pie if it sells. They won't even consider it, haven't even begun to discuss the size of the slice and have turned down other contractors trying to make the same offer previously. I'm not sure how the risk could be lower and in the meantime their competitors are booming.

And they're not government employees.

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#15

I’m in NZ, and involved in the startup community down here. Great people, great vibe. There’s a long history of Innovation down here at the bottom of the planet. The best example is David Downs book “#8 Rewired” which gives examples of great NZ Innovations such as: Disposable hypodermic syringe Manned flight(disputed) Jet boat Nanotube Freeze dried coffee(sorry) DNA discovery Splitting the atom(Rutherford) DNA double…

While these things were discovered by kiwis, their place of discovery was the UK or the US. Wilkins did his discoveries at Kings College, Rutherford worked at the Cavendish Lab in Cambridge, Pickering worked on manned flight in the US (California, Jet Propulsion Lab). I don't think you can use that as an example for innovation in NZ

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#16
post #7

I’m in New Zealand. My friends are really struggling to get work here. Employers here are really tough on Chinese developers. Immigration is even tougher. I think our government needs to address these issues if we want more skilled workers.

I presume you mean employers? Can you define tough? And immigration is a doddle if you're on the skills shortage list and have sufficient English.

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#17

They have a really odd way to attract tech talent.... I exited my startup in the uk two years ago, successfully, leaving a successful and growing technology business behind. I have several ideas which I am prepared to self-fund up to £0.5M, and want a good environment in which to start a new business. I know coders in NZ, and they’re a talented bunch, we began to hatch a plan. In short, the NZ gov’t don’t want it. Th…

This is lame though to be fair to NZ I've come across similar requirements in other countries too.

Over the years I've happened to be invited to discussions with policy makers in both The Netherlands (2013) and Australia (2016) and as far as I know they came up with similar policies. Further back I recall taking a look at Germany (~2012) and it was also onerous.

The main takeaway I had was that constructing a set of fair requirements that can be effectively assessed/enforced is nigh impossible. Entrepreneurs should be vocal and advocate for changes that improve the system but ultimately play the cards that are dealt and stay focussed on the company mission.

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#18
post #11

>Two guys in a garage Is this urban legend still taken seriously? I mean, it was a thing 40 years ago, but now there is hardly anyone "with nothing to lose" that can reach anywhere without a good amount of luck.

Probably just that guy who made Flappy Bird I guess.

Re: 'New Zealand wants you': the problem with tech at the edge of the world

#20

They have a really odd way to attract tech talent.... I exited my startup in the uk two years ago, successfully, leaving a successful and growing technology business behind. I have several ideas which I am prepared to self-fund up to £0.5M, and want a good environment in which to start a new business. I know coders in NZ, and they’re a talented bunch, we began to hatch a plan. In short, the NZ gov’t don’t want it. Th…

>£10M turnover from nothing

I dont understand why people quote turnover. It is a useless number.

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