Blockchain believer
It was the intention of Justin Flitter, the organiser of the Blockworks event on October 12th, to “create a conversation platform that showcased how blockchain is solving critical business problems and the impact that could have on business, government and society”.
Having sat in the ASB Waterfront Theatre’s superb auditorium for the entire day, I can honestly say that’s exactly how it played out. It succeeded 100 percent.
I admit to having known next to nothing about blockchain when I rocked up that Friday morning – apart from the bad rap it has been getting through its association with the cryptocurrency wobbles around the globe.
However, just like all the other 350-plus Blockworks attendees, I came away wowed by the potential of this new technology, and the sheer number of blockchain initiatives that are underway in New Zealand right now.
As Mark Pascall, president of the Blockchain Association of New Zealand, pointed out, the world is now past the crypto “hangover phase”, and new, more secure, more decentralised, more scalable and community-driven blockchains are emerging.
Professor Alex Simms from Auckland University, who described herself as the event’s “token academic”, opened the audience’s eyes to blockchain’s wider practical applications – particularly around health records, the carbon trading market and trade finance. “Blockchain will give us the Internet of transactions,” she told us. There was a lot to digest at Blockworks – particularly for novices like myself. But the day convinced me to take a much closer look at blockchain and the opportunities it brings to business, in an upcoming issue of this magazine. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, I trust you and your business will benefit from this month’s collection of stories, especially our extended export section.
As always we’ll be taking a break in January to recharge the batteries (mostly lithium ones these days!), but NZBusiness will be back with its February issue to continue informing, educating and inspiring business owners in 2019.
The whole team at NZBusiness and Adrenalin Publishing wish you and yours a very merry, but relaxing, Christmas break and an exceptionally prosperous New Year.