Arc Innovations GM of Marketing Tim Lynskey interviews with Canterbury TV on the recent announcement that Arc is a finalist in the 2010 NZ Hi-Tech Awards. To view the full interview click here.

Matt Ritchie on Tuesday, 30 March 2010                                     www.energynews.co.nz


Meridian Energy subsidiary Arc Innovations has been named as a finalist in the 2010 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, which recognise excellence in the New Zealand hi-tech industry.

The world faded to black on Saturday night thanks to a global effort to turn out lights for Earth Hour 2010.

Energy Market Services figures show Canterbury recorded power savings of about 8% during Earth Hour.

However, detailed electricity consumption monitored by advanced metering business Arc Innovations showed no decrease over a smaller sample of 10,000 homes, between 830 pm and 930 pm on Saturday night.

Christchurch based company Arc Innovations has been announced as a finalist in the 2010 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, in the Hi Fx Innovative Services Product Award category.

The Awards recognise excellence in the New Zealand hi-tech industry and the winner of the Hi Fx Innovative Services Product Award category will have successfully introduced an exciting new hi-tech service to the market.

Auckland, March 25, 2010. The New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards finalists were announced tonight at simultaneous functions held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Awards recognise excellence in the NZ hi-tech industry and continue to attract record entries.

"The competition this year will be really exciting," according to NZ Hi-Tech Trust chair, Wayne Norrie, "with Compac Sorting Equipment, Datacom, BankLink and Orion Health going head-to-head for the title of PwC NZ Hi-Tech Company of the year. Two new categories, the International Business Wales Exporter of the Year and Recruit IT Employer of Choice have also attracted an outstanding line up of entrants."

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has agreed to the recommendations set out in the Electricity Commission's report on the roll-out and requirements for smart meters in New Zealand.