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It was 9 days actually – an extended week during which we saw 287 events running in 24 locations across the country. They covered topics from the Blockchain to climate change, from ARVR to the future of food, and from equality to the next generation – but the focus across the board was the same: How can we use technology to find solutions to the challenges facing the world? How can we create a tech and innovation ecosystem that sees New Zealand ideas making a sustainable, global impact?

More than 20,000 people of all ages attended Techweek'17 events, and the general consensus was that it felt important to have a week that brought people from varying disciplines together to learn, debate and be inspired. The quality of content from those 287 events run independently by forward-thinking event organisers was such that the media was flooded with articles about technology and innovation ideas and businesses growing in our backyard. They already make us proud, and we hope that Techweek extended that sense of pride to all New Zealanders. 

I thought one of the most interesting insights about the week came from Mike Riversdale and Raj Kushal, who said that in traveling the North Island during Techweek with their podcast, Access Granted, they noticed that many of our tech communities were still working within their own bubbles – not talking to each other. We’re already considering how we can grow the Techweek platform to burst these bubbles – stay tuned for Techweek’18!

There are undoubtedly a huge number of people to thank now that Techweek’17 is over and done. Firstly, the event organisers, whose ideas, enthusiasm and wonderful events carried the success of the week. Secondly, our partners and patrons - without the hardworking individuals within these organisations, Techweek would not have happened - so a huge thank you goes to associating partners: ATEED, MBIE, Ministry of Education, and NZTE, and supporting partners: Christchurch District Council, WREDA in Wellington, Hamilton City Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Tauranga City Council, Callaghan Innovation, and NZ Tourism. Thank you also to our patrons: BNZ, PWC and SKYCITY.

Lastly, thank you to NZTech, the guardian of Techweek, and to the incredible Techweek team who worked unimaginably hard to make it a success for all involved.

Techweek may be over for another year, but we're already gearing up for Techweek'18, the dates are already official: 19-27.05.2018. There are plenty more exciting developments to come, see you soon.

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