Microsoft's New Zealand Partner Awards have recognised the ‘extraordinary depth of creativity and capability' in the company's partner network this year, particularly during lockdown restrictions in Auckland and many parts of the country.

Microsoft New Zealand partner director Matt Bostwick says partners have endured more than their fair share of challenges, yet once again they have gone above and beyond. He notes that the submissions have inspired pride in the values reflected in its Partner network, from supporting the not-for-profit sector to a focus on diversity and inclusion. The 2021 Awards required entrants to reflect on how their diversity and inclusion policies had impacted their work.

“I feel extremely lucky to be part of a network that is truly dedicated to making the lives of New Zealanders better, whether it's in the workplace, in care, or in society in general. I want to congratulate all of our winners for looking beyond just the job in front of them and asking what more they could do, then moving heaven and earth to make it happen. With Partners like these, I feel like the future of our industry, and for New Zealand, is in safe hands,.

The full list of winners is below.

Azure Migrate Award

Winner: CCL

Highly Commended: Unify Solutions

Business Applications Award

Winner: DXC Technology

Highly Commended: Fusion5

Channel Development Award

Winner: Ingram Micro NZ

Cloud for Good Award

Winner: Theta

Highly Commended: Delta Insights

Data and AI Award

Winner: PwC New Zealand

Highly Commended: Datacom

Digital and Application Innovation Award

Winner: Aware Group

Highly Commended: Enlighten Designs

Emerging SaaS Award

Winner: LawVu

Highly Commended: FlexiTime

Modern Work Award

Winner: Vodafone NZ

Highly Commended: Spark Business Group

SaaS Award

Winner: Volpara Health

Highly Commended: Cin7

Security Award

Winner: Defend

Highly Commended: Unify Solutions

Surface Partner Award

Winner: SecureCom

Highly Commended: Acquire and Mobile Mentor

NZ Growth Partner of the Year

Winner: Auror

NZ Partner of the Year

Winner: Fusion5