Every company that is trying to put New Zealand on a world map has a special place in my heart. Allbirds, Rocket Lab, AJ Hackett, Weta Studio, Fonterra, Air New Zealand and Icebreaker all seem to have something unique and special that make us all proud.
What about internationally?
What was the most interesting launch/trend/idea/building/product of the year?
AI and augmented reality, everything.
Most exciting project you worked on this year?
The wearable ice cream because it shows how Giapo has changed the ice cream’s function one more time, by making it much more than something you buy just to lick or when you feel hot and need to cool down, but it can be something funny to wear on the fingers like mini finger puppets.
What public event that impacted on or affected you the most?
We have a few key staff members waiting for Immigration New Zealand to approve their visa. New Zealand’s own tragedy is negatively impacting our business and New Zealand at large.
What was your favourite book/TV show/podcast/album/website/ magazine/story/performance enhancing of 2018?
Alexander McQueen and Bohemian Rhapsody. Both picturing the strength and the weaknesses of two of my favourite artists.
Villains?
Somehow I must say Immigration New Zealand, for missing how much it is affecting New Zealand businesses and curbing our growth. I say this now that unemployment is the lowest it has ever been for more than a decade.
Your own personal highlight?
Biggest learning for you?
It has to be the cultural changes that we are applying within our business. The learnings and the results are incredible.
Going into 2019, what’s the change you want to see in the world?
No more wars, no more weapons being produced, no more family violence and Alzheimer finally fully understood and solved. I’d be ok if only one of these things happened.
What should be invented and/or un-invented in the next year?
A better economic model where everyone can contribute and get a fair share.
Is it the robots we should be worried about, or the humans?
Humans!
How long before we have:
DNA modification?
Human DNA modification through Crispr is happening as we speak.
Driverless cars?
They are happening as we speak. Tesla have some capabilities to do so. In ten years, these will be in any cars.
Immortality?
Cities that all look like Venice?
It won’t happen. The opportunity to stop global warming is at hand and we will do it.
No animals farmed or eaten?
Not in this lifetime.
Medical cannabis sold at the chemist?
Long long long overdue.
Non-human, AI lovers?
I’d say it is happening. We spend more time with our phone in our hand than with our partners, isn’t it?
Chips implanted in our brains?
It has already happened. there are a few therapies that embrace that.
Colonies on Mars?
I admire Elon Musk’s idea, but I don’t think it will ever happen. There is no oxygen there. I don’t see the point either. We must find a better way to live here.
Secure bunkers to protect us from the zombie apocalypse?
These are sold on amazon.
