Speaker
Sir Ian Taylor
One of New Zealand's Foremost Technology Innovators
Animation Research
Ian Taylor’s journey is a remarkable reflection of New Zealand's technological and cultural evolution.
Raised in a small East Coast village on the North Island, Ian experienced the arrival of electricity at his home at age seven in 1957, followed by the telephone a few years later. Unbeknownst to him, just three years after these transformative developments, New Zealand welcomed its first computer—marking the beginning of a digital revolution he would become a significant part of.
Ian’s early years were marked by a diverse range of experiences. From working in the freezing works during school holidays to performing as a rock and roll singer through the vibrant 60s and 70s, he embraced the cultural and social shifts of the times. His life took another turn when he was called up for army service, eventually leading him to complete a law degree by 1980. Despite his legal education, Ian's career trajectory shifted dramatically as he ventured into television, witnessing and contributing to the industry’s leap from black-and-white film to the digital age.
In 1990, Ian founded Animation Research Ltd (ARL) in Dunedin. Starting with little more than a handshake agreement with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago, ARL made its mark by purchasing its first hard drive for $15,000—a 1GB behemoth by today’s standards. The technological milestones continued, with their computer for the 1992 America's Cup the size of a small fridge and costing half a million dollars. Today, the same capabilities fit in a mobile phone, illustrating ARL’s role in driving technological progress.
ARL has since become a global leader in innovative technology solutions, covering major sports events worldwide and branching into diverse ventures. They built an air traffic control simulator for Airways New Zealand, an F1 Race Car simulator for a leading team, and various online platforms for global mining companies and tech giants—all without prior experience in these fields. Ian credits his team’s open-mindedness and ‘can-do’ spirit, reflecting the ingenuity of New Zealand’s approach to problem-solving, as encapsulated in the quote from Lord Ernest Rutherford: “We didn’t have the money, so we had to think.”
In 2019, Ian launched the Land of Voyagers project, which he considers his most significant work. This initiative celebrates the Polynesian journey to Aotearoa, aiming to educate New Zealanders about the extraordinary voyages of their Polynesian ancestors.
Ian’s contributions have been widely recognized. Holding an LLB from the University of Otago, he was inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2010, he was named New Zealander of the Year by North & South magazine and received an Honorary Fellowship of the New Zealand Computer Society. The New Year Honours of 2012 saw him appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and he was awarded the Creative Sector accolade at the World Class New Zealander Awards. Acknowledged as Outstanding Māori Business Leader in 2013, Ian continued to gain recognition as New Zealand Innovator of the Year in 2019.
In 2021, Ian was knighted as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting, business, and community. Despite his accolades, Ian remains modest, claiming to possess no special skills and attributing his success to the fortunate timing of being in the right place with the right people. He humorously suggests that his location at the bottom of the world has kept scrutiny at bay, allowing his small but brilliant team to achieve remarkable feats.
