CIO Leadership Live: New Zealand
Host Cathy O’Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief APAC for CIO and CSO brands, speaks with IT leaders throughout New Zealand in this interview series. Each episode explores topics such as leadership, innovation, and business strategy, offering insights from technology executives. The conversations aim to highlight how CIOs and IT leaders are navigating challenges and driving digital transformation in their organizations. Part of the Foundry network, this podcast provides a regional perspective on technology leadership.
Episodes
Kari Jones, Executive Director Transformation & Operations, FMA
FMA’s Executive Director - Transformation & Operations Kari Jones on technology in the regulatory landscape, moving from a specialist data role to a broader leadership role, the lessons she’s learned from her international sporting career, and the honest feedback that changed her approach to leading teams. Key insights: Career Evolution: From computer science to technology consulting at PWC, leade
Jonathan Southee, Chief Information & Technology Officer, NZ Rugby
Jonathan Southee, Chief Information and Technology Officer at New Zealand Rugby, unpacks how his team is using technology to deliver world-class experiences for players and fans alike.
From transforming the match day experience to scaling global e-commerce operations, Jono shares how NZR is evolving from a traditional sports organisation into a tech-enabled, fan-focused enterprise.
Alex Smart, Chief Technology Officer, Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Southern Cross Travel Insurance CTO Alex Smart on driving a complete transformation of SCTI's core insurance platform, how a great team culture and healthy conflict leads to success, and why diversity matters more than ever in technology.
Datacom CISO Collin Penman on AI-powered threats and cyber fatigue
Datacom CISO Collin Penman talks about the growing gap between leadership and employees when it comes to cybersecurity, how cyber fatigue is leaving businesses in Australia and New Zealand more exposed, and why AI-powered threats are now keeping security leaders up at night.
Speaking to CIO's Cathy O'Sullivan, Penman dug into Datacom's State of Cybersecurity Index findings, and the reality is so
Katie Macdiarmid, Chief Information Officer, NZME
New Zealand Media and Entertainment's new Chief Information Officer Katie Macdiarmid on the importance of personalisation in its digital products, how the organisation sees AI being used across the business, and paying attention to what emerging trends in end-user devices will mean for content consumption.
Manvi Madan, Data and Insights Manager, Ports of Auckland
Emerging ICT Leader of the Year at the 2024 NZ CIO Awards Manvi Madan on how curiosity took her into a data and AI career, the need for more conversations about responsible AI, why machine learning projects fail, and how mentors and role models can help attract and retain more women in IT.
Hamish Rumbold, NZ CIO of the Year 2024
NZ CIO of the Year Hamish Rumbold, former chief digital and technology officer at Kiwibank on rebuilding 50 per cent of the bank's tech stack, creating a culture of learning through ‘kohungas’ or learning nests, leading with ambition and compassion, and his next career goal to help NZ and Australian companies foster innovation.
Eion Hall, Chief Information Officer, University of Waikato
University of Waikato CIO Eion Hall on the ethical debate of security versus surveillance, how learning environments have changed, and the excitement building over the university’s plans to develop a new medical school.
Dhaya Sivakumar, Chief Information Officer, LIC
LIC Chief Information Officer Diva Sivakumar on how the organisation is helping change the future of farming through technology, why data plays such an important role in what they do, and creating a passion for tech in Māori and Pasifika kids through gamers' clubs.
Steve James, General Manager of Technology, Woolworths NZ
Woolworths NZ General Manager of Technology Steve James on using technology to keep teams safer in stores, his pride in keeping essential services operational during the pandemic and extreme weather events, and ways he is engaging with different communities to get more people into careers in tech.
Juan De Roock, Chief Technology Officer at SolarZero
SolarZero Chief Technology Officer Juan De Roock on moving to subscription models for solar power, how AI is helping the organisation engage with customers, and why Ubuntu is his mantra for getting the best of himself and those around him.
Lena Jenkins, Chief Digital Officer, Waste Management NZ
Waste Management NZ Chief Digital Officer Lena Jenkins on the importance of starting small, building capability and scaling; why she’s excited about AI-based routing and predictive maintenance, and the organisation’s strategic ambition to power the circular economy.
Avinash de Silva, Head of Technology at Alvarium
Alvarium’s Head of Technology Avinash de Silva on the importance of communicating risk, keeping tabs on developments with open banking, and why he actively seeks out vendors and technology partners with a culture of innovation and who challenge him.
Kirti Desai, GM Digital, Data & Technology
ProCare General Manager for Digital, Data & Technology Kirti Desai on the challenges of working in the healthcare sector and dealing with government reforms, how the organisation is modernising its data platform and mental health services, and why softer skills are growing in importance for IT teams.
Tim Partington, Director Digital & Tech at Skills Consulting Group
Skills Consulting Group Director of Digital & Technology Tim Partington on creating integrated learning environments with assisted reality, why the IT industry should move to an apprenticeship model, and the importance of working with NZ Inc technology partners.
Ruth Russell, CIO at Office of the Māori Trustee
Ruth Russell, Kaihautū Hangarau Whakaaturanga (Chief Information Officer) at Te Tumu Paeroa (Office of the Māori Trustee) on the challenges and benefits of establishing a Māori data sovereignty framework, upskilling staff through informal and targeted learning, and how the organisation is developing alternative pathways for rangatahi (young people) into technology careers.
Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer, Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Chief Digital Officer Nikhil Ravishankar on the national carrier’s ambition to be the world’s leading digital airline, how the company has changed its operating model to uplift digital capability across the organisation, and how technology plays a huge role in its sustainability goals.
Sam Daish, Chief Technology Officer at Blackpearl Group
Blackpearl Group Chief Technology Officer Sam Daish on embracing AI and making things simple for end-users, the challenges and opportunities of scaling and having a technology team in multiple geographies, and why he thinks more NZ companies should buy from local start-ups.
Joe Locandro, Chief Information Officer, Fletcher Building
Fletcher Building Group CIO Joe Locandro on changing the company’s IT operating model with Fletcher Tech, how the organisation is enhancing customer experience with AI, plus the six lessons he has learned about leadership through his global CIO roles across several sectors and geographies, including mainland, China, Asia, Pacific, and the Middle East.
Wayne Broekhals, Tonkin + Taylor Executive Leader for IT
Tonkin + Taylor's Wayne Broekhals on his career journey from IT service desk support to CIO, how the organization integrates sustainability principles into its IT strategy, and what he values when dealing with external partners on projects.
Paul Natac, CIO, Provident Insurance
Provident Insurance Chief Information Officer Paul Natac on how vendors can become valued partners, his journey from ‘command and control’ management to servant leadership, what he’s learned from his mentors along the way, and why he encourages those looking for opportunities in IT to keep knocking on doors, even when people keep closing them.
Teresa Pollard, Chief Digital Officer at Te Pūkenga
Te Pūkenga Chief Digital Officer Teresa Pollard on the massive challenge of bringing 24 training and education organisations into one body, how technology can enable better educational outcomes for rangatahi (young people) in NZ, and the privilege of being relentlessly herself as a leader and Māori wāhine.
Richard Wyke, Chief Digital Officer, Harmoney
Harmoney Chief Digital Officer Richard Wyke on working in change-ready organisations, how limited resources at start-ups drives creativity and prioritisation, and why building a great culture should be a key focus for any leader.
Bryan Graham, CIO at Seeka
Seeka Chief Information Officer Bryan Graham on what he’s learning in his first CIO role, how the produce company is driving growth through automation, and why everyone from the exec to his IT team is encouraged to get out and experience their packhouses and orchards.
THL Chief Technology Jo Hilson
THL Chief Technology Jo Hilson on the company’s global expansion and diverse portfolio of tourism and specialist products, what attracted her to her first technology role and how leaders need to trust in their teams more than ever in a hybrid-work environment.
Miles Fordyce, REINZ Chief Digital Officer
Miles Fordyce on the possibilities for artificial intelligence in real estate, what he’s learned working in a broad range of roles and industries, how change is taking shape in his organisation, and why he’s hopeful for the next generation coming through in technology roles.
David Healy, Chief Digital Officer at Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Chief Digital Officer David Healy on how his company is using geo-spatial technology and machine learning to help farmers become more productive, keeping a customer lens front and centre of transformational change, and why you should never chase a role or a title but find a fit for your purpose.
Trish Baird, Chief Information Officer at Selwyn District Council
Selwyn District Council Information Officer Trish Baird on serving a community with a high population of digital natives, why she talks about her failures with her team, and how she’s committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people in IT feel they belong rather than just fit in.
CIO Leadership Live with Fidelity Life CIO Billy Miller
Fidelity Life Chief Information Officer Billy Miller on using positive language to challenge people’s limiting beliefs, why innovation doesn’t happen without constraints, the importance of servant leadership, and what he learned working in the airline industry in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
CIO Leadership Live with Andrew Haddad, Chief Information Officer at One New Zealand
Andrew Haddad on the massive transformation the telco has been through as it moves away from the Vodafone brand, how the company is embracing new ways of working through its ‘Mahi Tahi’ approach, and why CIOs need to be clear on who their customers are – both internal and external – and what their drivers are.
Tracy McElroy, Chief Digital Officer at Alliance Group
Alliance Group Chief Digital Officer Tracy McElroy on uniting teams behind the value they deliver for their organisation and customers, why she’s confident NZ will get more women into senior IT leadership roles, and the importance of leaders being aware of their career derailers.
CIO Leadership Live with NZ Blood Service's Josh Bankers
NZ Blood Service Executive Director for Digital Technology and Information Management Josh Bankers on how technology underpins the organisation’s ‘vein to vein’ mission, his focus on empowering his team to achieve their goals, and why he uses town halls and Q&As to engage with the wider workforce.
CIO Leadership Live with Angela Henderson
Kiwi Property Group’s GM for Digital, Angela Henderson, on understanding the pain-points of your business before you make any change, making sure you have the right capability in your team, and why being told to “kill people with kindness” was the best advice she ever received.
CIO Leadership Live with MTF Finance Chief Technology Officer Dan Wilkinson
MTF Finance Chief Technology Officer Dan Wilkinson on why transformation needs an ignition point, how to change mindsets to embrace doing things differently, and the challenges that lie ahead as MTF acquires new businesses.
CIO Leadership Live with Marc Hale, Chief Technology Officer, AIA NZ
Marc Hale, Chief Technology Officer at AIA NZ, discusses how his company enables healthier outcomes for customers and his approach to his own career transformation.
CIO Leadership Live with Bill Moses, Chief Digital Officer at Te Kawa Mataaho/Public Service Commission
Bill Moses, Chief Digital Officer at Te Kawa Mataaho/Public Service Commission, on the organisation’s ‘spirit of service’, keeping up to date on emerging trends, why digital leaders don’t need to come from technology backgrounds, and the growth in ‘wiggly line’ career paths.
CIO Leadership Live with Roxanne Salton, Chief Digital Officer at Southern Cross Health Society
Roxanne Salton, Chief Digital Officer at Southern Cross Health Society, on why the job of transformation is not just the job of the CIO, the need to get more women into IT leadership roles, and being mindful of uncertainty in the year ahead and how it impacts your people.
CIO Leadership live with TAB's Fred Laury
Fred Laury, Chief Digital Officer at TAB New Zealand, on the importance of empathy to influence and collaborate, how the CIO role is changing post-pandemic, and how he’s learned to adjust the sails in rough waters.
