The New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards finalists were announced tonight at simultaneous functions held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch last night.

The Awards recognise excellence in the NZ hi-tech industry and continue to attract record entries.

Finalists in the majority of categories will now undergo face-to-face judging from a line up of local judges as well as being scrutinised by the global panel of international judges that includes:

Winners of the 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards show Kiwi innovation succeeding in global market

The winners of this year’s PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards were announced tonight at the Gala Awards dinner in Christchurch Friday night.

The Awards recognise excellence across New Zealand's software, electronics, biotechnology, telecommunications and creative technology industries and this year saw a record 160 entries.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards finalists have been announced at simultaneous functions in Auckland and Christchurch last night.

The Hi-Tech awards recognise excellence across New Zealand's software, electronics, biotechnology, telecommunications and creative technology industries. This year's awards saw a record number of entries (160 from 115 companies and individuals).

SOUTHERN ACCENT: Left to right:  Sir Gil Simpson; Damas Potoi, market development manager NZX; Ian Taylor; Dennis Chapman; Scott Kerse, partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers; Wayne Norrie, NZ Hi-Tech Association chairman.