Hacking Competitions in New Zealand
In recent years, large-scale hacking competitions have become more prevalent in New Zealand. There are now several annual competitions for both professional and emerging hackers. To learn about the most established hacking competitions in New Zealand, continue reading.
The New Zealand Cyber Security Challenge
Established in 2012, the New Zealand Cyber Security Challenge is one of the largest hacking competitions in New Zealand, drawing hundreds of entrants each year.
The Industry Category is open to anyone, regardless of background. Topics tested during the competition include cryptography, steganography, reverse engineering, SQL injections, and networks.
The challenge also offers specific challenges aimed at different skill levels, ensuring that hackers with various experience levels can participate. Each skill level offers a prize to encourage emerging hackers to enter the competition.
Participants have the chance to ask a panel of New Zealand’s top cybersecurity experts questions, providing a valuable learning opportunity.
The GovHack Competition
The GovHack Competition is an annual team-based hacking competition held in both Australia and New Zealand. Competitors have 48 hours to create concepts, mash-ups, and models using open government data. GovHack is entirely free to enter and aims to develop innovative cyber solutions for governments and commercial businesses.
Those interested in entering GovHack can use the community’s forum to find team members and mentors. GovHack encourages networking among hackers to build lasting connections.
Projects that receive awards from the New Zealand judging panel may be awarded major prizes at the International Red Carpet Awards, celebrating the top teams from Australia and New Zealand.
AgTech Hackathon
The AgTech Hackathon was created to connect talented tech professionals to businesses in New Zealand’s flourishing agriculture industry. Its primary partners are Massey University and the Central Economic Development Agency. The AgTech Hackathon primarily attracts university students and recent graduates.
Hackathons New Zealand
Hackathons New Zealand is a community group for New Zealand-based hackers, promoting smaller hackathons. The community’s pages, such as its Facebook page, frequently post updates about upcoming hacking-related events and competitions.
The Future of Hacking in New Zealand
As entries into hacking competitions have risen significantly in recent years, expect New Zealand’s professional hacking competitions to continue growing in popularity and scale.