Technology entrepreneurs are being encouraged to attend GovHack, a competitive 46-hour technology event with a focus on ways to use and display government information.
The Dunedin version of GovHack, which is run throughout Australia and New Zealand, is being organised by local tech specialist Phil Wheeler, of Intergen, a company specialising in apps and design.
The event was ''a bit like the 24-hour film festival'' with a focus on using and displaying information already available to the public by way of a website, an app or interactive graphics, he said.
''What we're really looking for is creative people who want to have a crack at this sort of stuff [and] meet the same sort of people,'' Mr Wheeler said.
''We're trying to get people interested and engaged [in technology] and to come up with something cool.''
It would also be a great chance for networking opportunities and to meet like-minded individuals.
People from the technology industry, the Dunedin City Council and local politicians had indicated they would attend the event and would help with ''[coaching] people along'', Mr Wheeler said.
The GovHack website says the event is about ''getting our best and brightest around the country working with government data to innovate and create ... and [build] upon the social and economic value of open data published by government''.
There would be a presentation of ideas and creations at the conclusion of the event and the overall winner would have the opportunity to attend a national event in Wellington with the possibility of travelling to Australia to present with the best and brightest.
The event is free and starts on Friday evening at the Sargood Centre.
