Retail stores in New Zealand will kick start the worldwide launch of Microsoft Windows Vista by making the new operating system available at retail stores from midnight on 29 January 2007. Due to New Zealand being positioned close to the International Date local users will have access to the new software a couple of hours before Austrlalians, thirteen hours before Britons, and almost a full day ahead of American users.

The first purchase in the world of a Microsoft Windows Vista loaded PC is taking place in Auckland, New Zealand at one minute past midnight in the early morning of 30 January 2007.

Microsoft New Zealand will also run a series of online charity auctions on local auction website TradeMe, starting off at 00h01am on 30 January. New Zealanders will be able to bids on copies of Windows Vista Ultimate digitally signed by Bill Gates, Microsoft Corporation Chairman, and copies of Microsoft Office Professional 2007, to raise funds for child cancer research charity Cure Kids. The company is making 15 copies of each software available for these auctions.

The Midnight Launch will be held at Dick Smith Electronics Powerhouse, 5 Ronwood Avenue, Manukau City, Auckland. A Microsoft New Zealand team will be present at the store to answer any questions the public present may have.

More information will be available at www.windowsvista.co.nz and www.microsoftoffice.co.nz.